As dementia rates rise across Ohio, providers are emphasizing the importance of empathy and caregiver support. Ohio Living Home Health & Hospice is helping lead that effort through an immersive training program designed to better understand the condition.
Dementia affects more than 220,000 older Ohioans, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. The impact is especially significant in regions like the Mahoning Valley and extends to family caregivers, who often face high levels of stress and burnout.
To address this, Ohio Living offers Dementia Live, a hands-on simulation that allows participants to experience the sensory and cognitive challenges of dementia. The training has been shown to increase empathy, improve communication, and encourage more patient-centered care.
Open to professionals, families, and community members, the program reflects a growing recognition that building dementia-friendly communities requires broader awareness and understanding. Read the original reporting by the Youngstown Vindicator.