LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Karen Robinson, D.N.S., A.P.R.N., B.C., F.A.A.N., a professor at the U of L School of Nursing, has been honored for her outstanding efforts in improving the care of older persons with a Best Care Practices Award from the Ohio Valley Appalachia Regional Geriatric Education Center (OVAR/GEC). She was one of four winners honored for service in elder care during the 21st annual Summer Series on Aging, sponsored by the University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging.

Robinson was recognized for her program, Volunteer Caregivers Program. The Volunteer Caregivers Program (VCP) provides caregiver training in the home to help educate family members about dementia and ways to avoid and manage challenging behaviors their loved ones might exhibit due to dementia. VCP teaches caregivers ways to decrease stress for their loved ones. This program is part of ongoing research about dementia caregivers conducted by Robinson at the University of Louisville School of Nursing.

In June, Robinson joined the other winners in presenting innovative approaches to the care of older persons during a special workshop on Best Care Practices. Best Care Practices help providers to identify the critical components of care, identify and describe problems experienced by older persons, find and assess existing Best Care Practices, discover creative solutions to similar problems, and implement and replicate Best Care Practices in health care and community settings.

OVAR/GEC is made up of member universities, including UK, University of Louisville, University of Cincinnati, and East Tennessee State University. The organization was established in 1985 to enhance geriatric education and improve services for older persons throughout Kentucky, southern Ohio, eastern Tennessee, and western Virginia.