Ohio Department of Aging
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More than seven million Americans help older persons live in the community despite limitations on daily activities. Many adults also care for adult sons and daughters with disabilities. Family members and other informal caregivers truly are the backbone of our long-term care system. In Ohio alone, they contribute more than 1.1 million hours of unpaid help to others, care valued in excess of $10.4 billion. Nationally, family caregivers save taxpayers $257 billion.
Each year, the Ohio Department of Aging selects a handful of devoted caregivers and honor them for the work they do to make Ohio a better place, while symbolically recognizing the combined value of all informal caregivers throughout the state.
View the 2008 Award Ceremony
Nominate A Caregiver
2008 Elder Caregivers of the Year
Lena Collier, Wilkesville
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Second photo shows honoree with ODA Director, Barbara E. Riley, and O4A Past President, Alan Burnett, at the induction ceremony, May 22, 2008.
Lena lovingly cares for her husband, Thomas, who has a number of health problems. He is dependent on Lena to handle all aspects of his personal care, housekeeping and medication. In addition, Lena cared for her mother-in-law in her home for 12 years. Lena uses 16 hours of respite each month to visit and help her elderly mother. She sacrifices to care for multiple family members while she keeps her promise to care for her husband through sickness and in health.
Jacki Collins, Dayton
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Second photo shows honoree with ODA Director, Barbara E. Riley, and O4A Past President, Alan Burnett, at the induction ceremony, May 22, 2008.
Jacki Collins has provided impeccable care to her parents, Lewis and Mildred Madison, for almost five years, enabling them to remain with her in her home. Both her parents need 24-hour care. Lewis has had three strokes, suffers from dementia and uses a walker. Mildred is bed-bound and completely non-responsive. Jackie gives unselfishly of her time and of herself. Even with all her responsibilities, Jackie does not look at her role in a negative way, but feels it is an honor to care for her parents. She is truly an inspiration.
Joanne Freed, Butler
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Second photo shows honoree with ODA Director, Barbara E. Riley, and O4A Past President, Alan Burnett, at the induction ceremony, May 22, 2008.
For eight years, Joanne Freed has cared for her husband, Royal, who suffers from blindness, diabetes and depression. Thanks to her care, Royal is able to stay at home, where his family and grandchildren can visit him. To help improve his mood, Joanne takes him out to eat and engages him in activities outside the home. To ensure she learns the best ways to assist her husband, Joanne attends the annual Caregiver Conference. She works very hard to provide her husband the best care that she possibly can.
Jenifer Johnson, Avon Lake
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Second photo shows honoree with ODA Director, Barbara E. Riley, and O4A Past President, Alan Burnett, at the induction ceremony, May 22, 2008.
Jenifer has been caring for her father Louie for thirteen years, since a stroke left him paralyzed. He is diabetic, has dementia and many other health problems. In the last two years, she has cared for him all day, every day. When Jenifer’s mother was alive, they cared for him together, however her mother also required 24/7 care in the last months of her life. Jenifer is not only Louie’s daughter and caregiver, she is his friend. She has surrounded him with family and all of the things that make him comfortable.
The Daughters of Leola Latson, Toledo
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Second photo shows Delores Latson, with ODA Director, Barbara E. Riley, and O4A Past President, Alan Burnett, accepting on behalf of her sisters at the induction ceremony, May 22, 2008.
The daughters of Leola Latson have been caring for their mother, who is almost 98, for more than 16 years. Delores Latson, Sally Helm and Bobbi Simms go to their mother’s home every day to prepare her lunch and dinner. They set up her medication, run errands and take her to doctor’s appointments. Candace Coates and Earma Algee stay with Leola at night, help her get dressed and serve her breakfast. Her family works together to take care of their mother, ensuring she remains at home. They always have Leola’s best interests at heart.
Lorene Middleton, Cincinnati
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Second photo shows honoree with ODA Director, Barbara E. Riley, and O4A Past President, Alan Burnett, at the induction ceremony, May 22, 2008.
Lorene Middleton, 70, not only takes care of her husband, Namon, but also her son, Mike, and granddaughter, April. Namon has dementia, is incontinent, non-verbal and schizophrenic. Mike suffered a brain injury and is ambulatory, but non-verbal. April has seizures and is mildly mentally retarded. Lorene provides personal care, homemaking, transportation, medication administration, supervision and financial management for her three in-home charges without complaint. When asked about stress, she says, “There are those worse off than me.”
Richard Nichols, Cuyahoga Falls
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Second photo shows honoree with ODA Director, Barbara E. Riley, and O4A Past President, Alan Burnett, at the induction ceremony, May 22, 2008.
For eight years, Rick Nichols has been a care provider while working full time. He provided for his mother’s care until her placement in hospice and has continually provided the care necessary to keep his father, Stanley, independent, safe and comfortable in his own home. Rick assists his father daily with his personal care needs, as well as shopping, meals, cleaning, home maintenance, transportation and financial matters. Most importantly, Rick works to ensure that Stanley maintains his sense of self and control over his life.
Betty Parry, Lore City
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Second photo shows honoree with ODA Director, Barbara E. Riley, and O4A Past President, Alan Burnett, at the induction ceremony, May 22, 2008.
Since 1988, Betty Parry cared for her father, Raymond Gray, 87, who died in January 2008. She cooked for him, set up his medications and performed homemaking tasks. In 2007, Raymond suffered a stroke, which required moving him to a nursing facility. Betty still saw him daily, despite other family commitments, going to the nursing facility after work and usually not returning home until 8 p.m. Betty has never expected any reward or recognition because she feels that caregiving is part of being a devoted daughter.
Aaron Parsons, Columbus
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Second photo shows honoree with ODA Director, Barbara E. Riley, and O4A Past President, Alan Burnett, at the induction ceremony, May 22, 2008.
Aaron Parsons has cared for his life-long friend, Paul Lowry, for two years. Due to cerebral atrophy, Paul is completely dependent. Aaron provides for all of Paul’s personal care, as well as financial business. Paul’s speech is distorted, but Aaron serves as his translator with other people. Aaron is committed to Paul’s care despite his own struggles with back problems and high blood pressure. His commitment to ensuring Paul’s quality of life is just as important as his commitment to Paul’s physical care.
Margaret Reynolds-Van Waning, Lima
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Second photo shows honoree with ODA Director, Barbara E. Riley, and O4A Past President, Alan Burnett, at the induction ceremony, May 22, 2008.
For eight years, Margaret Reynolds-Van Waning has cared for her step-grand-mother, Verda Partee, 104. Even though she works full-time, Margaret prepares Verda’s meals, schedules her appointments, maintains her house and buys her groceries. She takes care of Verda’s financial obligations and makes sure all of her personal needs are met. Many nights after work, she is responsible for Verda’s care. Margaret is an inspiration because of her commitment and the sacrifices she makes to take care of Verda.
Barbara Jean Wolfe, Reynoldsburg
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Second photo shows honoree with ODA Director, Barbara E. Riley, and O4A Past President, Alan Burnett, at the induction ceremony, May 22, 2008.
While raising three boys, Barbara Jean Wolfe nursed her husband, Robert, through cancer, a nervous breakdown, mid-life crisis, depression and vascular bypass surgery. In addition, she cared for both her mother and aunt in their homes in Saginaw, Michigan. After her husband died, she started working full time at Reynoldsburg United Methodist Life Center as a nurse’s aide at age 63. She retired more than two years ago and continues, at age 80, to volunteer with RUMC, to make a difference in the lives of others.
Previous Honorees
2007: Garnet Barker of Columus; Ginnie Burkholder of Canton; Shirley Dombar of Cincinnati; Crissina Gibson of Sarahsville; Ron Guthrie of Cambridge; Barb Keiser of Mansfield; Luetta Kleman of Ottoville; Nancy Meacham of Warren; Manira Saide-Sallock of Oregon; Adele Schrader of Brunswick; Becky Shultz of Urbana
2006: Rebecca Brooks of Columbus; Virgie Cajka of Woodsfield; Jack Cummins of Massillon; Alverda Curren of Ashland; Laurel DuBeck, RN, of Zanesville; Mary Ann Mishler of Troy; Sharon Pinkelman of Maumee; Norma Smith of Lockland; Charles Waddell of Portsmouth
2005: Darrell C. Daniel of Medina; Richard Danver of New Matamoras; James Ector of Toledo; Clarence Graf of Columbus; Wanda Kafury of Kimbolton; Lawrence Kirkendall of Findlay; Rosemary Mendez-Velasquez of Columbus; Sue Merriner of Akron; Clifford Odson of Mansfield; Marion Subler of Cincinnati; Robert (Bob) Walters of Poland; Margie Williamson of Springfield
2004: Herbert Booth of Richfield; Denise Douglas of Sidney; Jim Frey of Lima; Lloyd Hartwell of Hamden; Janet Haught of Marietta; Roderick Neal of East Cleveland; Mary Jane Patterson of Wauseon; James Pond of Columbus; Allen Schachleiter of Lebanon; Barbara Underwood of Kensington; Pauline Weldon of Canfield; James E. Wise of Bucyrus
2003: Elizabeth Berkley of Akron; Marlana Hatch of Columbus; Esther Knapp of Bainbridge; Mark & Cindy Lumbatis of Conover; Walter Lund (Posthumous) of Cincinnati; Donna McKelvey of Burghill; Rose Samos of West Union; Robert Sherer of Marion; Lois Sizemore of Marietta; Rose Ann Talarico of Coshocton; Donnette Tiggs of Toledo; Leland Wagers of Millersburg
2002: Donna Anderson of Wooster; Dennis Brown of Marietta; Clifton "Click" Coleman of Cincinnati; Helen McIntosh of Marietta; Roger Milliken of West Alexandria; Ethel Muthert of Cincinnati; Marilyn Termeer of Worthington; Michael Towarnicky of Lakewood; Jackie Turner of Toledo
2000: Urban Bertke of New Bremen; Cathy Lindamood of Amlin; Donald Yaussy of Lakeside; Henry Guttermuth of Akron; Kay Graham of McConnelsville; Mildred Tyree of Columbus
1999: Cheryl Balciar of Mineral Ridge; James Fraites of Sandusky; Joe Niceswanger of Malta; Julia Robinson of Columbus; Annya Thompson of Lucasville
1998: Sam Morris of Worthington
1997: Herbert K. Monroe of Paulding
1996: Virginia Stocks of Marietta
1995: Ruth Ann Bishop of Mansfield
1994: Ura Grover of Oxford
1993: Mary Linscott of McConnelsville
Ohio Department of Aging