Just in time for the Kentucky Oaks, the University of Louisville Trager Institute has launched its own “OACS” – a new support group for those who care for older adults. The Older Adult Caregiver Support, or OACS, group is open to UofL employees and retirees, along with UofL Hospital and UofL Physicians employees.

The effort is an outcome of the strategic initiative to make UofL a great place to work. Anna Faul, executive director of the Trager Institute, and Paula McGuffey, assistant director of the Gheens Science and Research Planetarium, are co-chairs of the committee tasked with creating the support group.

“Our goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment for caregivers of older adults,” Faul said. “It can be overwhelming, and often people don’t know where to turn to learn about resources and support.”

OACS is an extension of the expanding services for older adults and caregivers offered by the UofL Trager Institute. The group will be hosted on the UofL Trager Institute’s Facebook page, and participants also may participate in periodic education seminars. The first event is an Alzheimer’s Disease Simulation on May 13 from noon til 1 p.m. at the Gheens Science Hall Rauch Planetarium on the Belknap campus. This event is open to both the OACS group and to the general public. Register online here.

“We are thrilled about the launch of this new employee resource,” McGuffey said. “Providing high-quality support groups such as OACS can contribute to the health and well-being of our UofL community, making UofL a great place to work.”

To join OACS, visit the UofL Trager’s Facebook page here.