Facebook page asking families to show they’re connected

Published 10:36 am Wednesday, August 25, 2010

The Ohio Department of Aging is calling on generations of family members to get together and say “cheese” in honor of Grandparents Day.

The organization is asking for pictures of grandparents with their grandchildren doing things together. While there is no prize for the contest, the winning three pictures will be displayed on the Ohio Department of Aging’s website, www.aging.ohio.gov.

The pictures are to be submitted via the agency’s Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/OhioDepartmentOfAging, with the deadline being Sept. 12. Submitted photos can also be viewed on the Facebook website. Pictures may also be mailed to Ohio Department of Aging, ATTN: Communications Division, 50 W. Broad St., 9th Floor, Columbus OH 43215-3363, and must be postmarked on or before Sept. 8, and the photos cannot be returned.

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Karla Warren, spokesperson for the department, said it would be great to include the names of the people in the picture, as well as a brief description.

“We hope people will participate for the fun factor of it,” Warren said. “And it’s a great way to honor grandparents on grandparents Day, Sept. 12.”

“Each day our state and communities benefit from the diverse ways five or more distinct generations interact at work, at play and through service to others,” said Barbara E. Riley, director of the department, in a press release. “We need everyone’s help to show the world how the strength of our generations makes us a great state in which to grow up and grow old.”

Warren said the Ohio Department of Aging provides leadership for the delivery of services that improve choice, independence and quality of life for aging Ohioans. This is done through various programs offered throughout the state.

“One that is popular is mostly known as Passport, a Medicaid waiver program to keep people in homes instead of nursing facilities,” Warren said. “We also provide support to caregivers.”

Warren said that often the care is actually done by family members, and this program gives the family time away to have time for themselves to enable them to give better care.

“Some of the other programs we provide are what we call helping active aging, providing programs to give knowledge on how to deal with chronic health problems,” Warren said.

For those who add the Ohio Department of Aging to their “friends” list on Facebook, Warren said they will receive updates and news about the department, including publications. She said “friends” of the Facebook page can also find support and resources for caregivers on the Facebook website.