Best of CASE District III Award
 

Institution: University of Georgia

Title of entry: An act of love

About this entry: The University of Georgia’s Cognitive Aging Research and Education (CARE) Center serves as a resource for aging community members and their caregivers, providing everything from free-of-charge medical services to support groups and aid navigating social safety nets. We chose to tell the story of the center through the eyes of the first patient, Barbara, and her caregiver, Mel. Their story of navigating dementia and caregiving with the resources of CARE Center is relatable to so many, and we were honored they trusted us to tell it. We worked closely with the faculty and staff of the CARE Center and Mel and Barbara to make sure all photographs, videos, and copy told their story accurately but also sensitively. The entire process took several months and multiple visits to the assisted living facility where Barbara and Mel lived and to the CARE Center itself. Our goal was to not just tell their story but to build trust with the couple and with the CARE Center staff to raise awareness of the program and all it has to offer the community. A few months after we completed the story and video, Barbara passed away. Her impact remains on the walls of the CARE Center, where her art is prominently displayed, and in the center itself as her story prompted numerous inquiries from community members about how they can get involved with the center or make use of its resources.