Â鶹ÊÓƵ conducts Respite Care Study for state
The University of North Georgia's (Â鶹ÊÓƵ) Institute for Healthy Aging (IHA) partnered with the Georgia Department of Human Services' (DHS) Division of Aging Services to conduct the in fiscal years 2025 and 2026.
This document's purpose is "to describe and evaluate the overall landscape of caregiver respite services and caregiver services policy in Georgia and other Southeastern states," according to DAS.
Dr. Pamela Elfenbein, professor and former IHA director; Dr. Rima Gibbings, associate professor of health informatics and administration; Dr. Kelly Manley, associate professor of economics; Dr. Yu Sun, professor of geography and geospatial sciences; and Will Fulton, a Master of Science in counseling student and IHA graduate research assistant, authored the study.
Others from Â鶹ÊÓƵ who assisted with the study were Dr. Stephen Smith, professor of psychological science; Candace Lovell, IHA administrative support manager; Shannon Caffee, IHA administrative assistant; and undergraduate student Ashley Annis, who is pursuing a degree in environmental spatial analysis.
"It was a privilege for the Â鶹ÊÓƵ research team to collaborate with DHS, united in our commitment to better understand and strengthen respite care and supports for family caregivers," Elfenbein said. "As our findings and recommendations continue to be broadly disseminated, we are confident that this work will inform and advance Home and Community Based Services policy and practice in Georgia and across the nation."
The study explored the challenges faced by the 2.5 million adults in Georgia who serve as family caregivers and provide $16.3 million in unpaid care annually.
Maynard takes part in Army nursing program
Â鶹ÊÓƵ cadet William Maynard took part in the Army's prestigious Nurse Summer Training Program earlier this year.
Nursing program expands to Blue Ridge Campus
Â鶹ÊÓƵ has expanded its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program to Â鶹ÊÓƵ's Blue Ridge Campus this fall. The degree is now offered on four Â鶹ÊÓƵ campuses.
Â鶹ÊÓƵ receives grant for character education
Â鶹ÊÓƵ's College of Arts & Letters recently received a Capacity-Building Grant through Wake Forest University's Educating Character Initiative.
Support fuels students at Â鶹ÊÓƵ's Blue Ridge Campus
Â鶹ÊÓƵ celebrated its scholarship recipients and donors and heard some of the students' stories at the Sept. 22 Tomato Sandwich Supper.