2007 Elder Caregiving Award to Howard Boldman

Governor Ted Strickland, Barbara E. Riley, Director of the Ohio Department of Aging, and members of the Ohio General Assembly honored Howard Boldman of Portsmouth and 11 other caregivers for their dedication and compassion at the fourteenth annual Elder Caregiving Awards ceremony at the Statehouse Atrium in Columbus fon Wednesday, May 23.

“Family members and informal caregivers truly are the backbone of our long-term care system. Ohio caregivers provide 80 percent of all long-term care services that would otherwise cost Ohio taxpayers more than $10.4 billion each year,” said Riley. “Howard and Thelma Boldman’s relationship is a testament to what loving care can accomplish.”

Howard, 80, has been caring for his wife Thelma, 83, who lives with dementia, high blood pressure and diabetes. In 2005, Howard had his second heart by-pass surgery, but he worked hard on his rehabilitation so that Thelma could come home with him from the nursing home were she had been staying. The Boldmans recently celebrated their 62^nd anniversary in their home.

The Elder Caregiving Award symbolically honors the thousands of Ohio caregivers who lovingly take care of family and friends day after day. Although the award is given only to a few caregivers, it heightens public awareness of the contributions of all caregivers.