Caregivers, seniors enjoy day of fun
Judy Peery enjoyed playing drums on a purple exercise ball on top of a bucket during a drumming workshop with other senior citizens.
Peery liked the feel of the drum sticks as instructor Nate Sunderland Jr. told everyone to just have fun as he demonstrated a beat on his drum set.
Peery said the class was fun but she loves her keyboarding lessons at Richland Academy.
Caregivers and senior citizens enjoyed a chance to try their hand at salsa dancing, chair yoga, watercolor art and more on Friday as part of the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging Caregiver Appreciation Event at the Richland Academy.
For individuals who care for someone 60 and older
The day was dedicated to individuals who provide care for someone age 60 and older.
Darlene Angerfield brought her mother, Pearl Black, 85, of Mansfield, whom she helps care for.
The two women were heading to an art workshop.
Angerfield, who grew up in Mansfield, recently moved back home from New York to care for her mother.
"She's a good caregiver," Black said of her daughter.
Elsewhere, Robin Hawkins and her mother Evelyn Simmons, both of Mansfield, were enjoying making a holiday centerpiece together, each using a mason jar to take home.
Simmons stays pretty active and said she makes floral arrangements at home. A retired LPN from then-MedCentral Health System, she said she also loves to do karaoke.
Instructor Olivia Berner of The Weed Hopper Tree Farm of Greenwich handed each class member greenery, carnations, floral wire and pine cones.
Enjoyed making floral centerpiece, visiting friends
Deborah Bey, 66, of Mansfield also enjoyed making the floral centerpiece, and visiting with Hawkins and her mother.
The event at 75 N. Walnut St. was open to anyone who provides care including, but not limited to, assist with basic needs, provide companionship, monitor medications, prepare meals, or drive them to medical appointments or grocery stores. Caregivers from Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Knox, Marion, Morrow, Richland, Seneca, and Wyandot were invited to attend. Individuals who are being cared for were invited too.
This special event included lunch, entertainment, training, activities, caregiver information and resources.
One of the featured entertainers was the Strut Your Stuff tap dancers, who ironically were dancing to "Let It Snow" on the cold, snowy winter day.
The event was held in honor of National Family Caregivers Month.
"Family caregivers are the foundation of our nation’s long-term care system, doing necessary work with devotion, many times at a significant emotional and financial cost. The Caregiver Appreciation Event recognizes their service and dedication as the silent heroes of our community," Susan Montgomery, community outreach coordinator at the agency, said.
lwhitmir@gannett.com
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Twitter: @LWhitmir
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Caregivers and senior citizens enjoyed salsa dancing, drums and more
