Free program provides information, tools and insights for care providers in the area
The Heritage Area Agency on Aging is hosting its annual Caregiver Wellness Day event, “A Celebration of Caregivers,” on Friday, Nov. 21, 2008. The seventh annual program is designed to give support and encouragement to informal caregivers of older adults in East Central Iowa and to help them focus on their own health and well-being.
This free program will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at the Kirkwood Training and Outreach Services Center (KTOS), 3375 Armar Drive, in Marion. The Heritage Area Agency on Aging, in collaboration with the East Central Iowa Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, Hospice of Mercy, St. Luke’s Hospice, Amenity Hospice, Iowa Hospice, Here to Help, Inc., Milestones, and Milestones in Marion are planning this event to honor and support caregivers in this region.
The keynote for the day will be motivational speaker, Carol Harder whose presentation will be “The Caring Spirit.” Harder believes that people are our greatest natural resource and helps them to understand responsibility, self worth, discipline, loyalty, honesty, values, balance and a positive attitude are their choices in making a difference in their world.
Other sessions will include, “Medicaid Rules and Spousal Impoverishment”, by Martha Quint, Heritage Elder Law Project; “Alzheimer’s and Mild Cognitive Impairment,” by Dr. Steve Anderson, U of I, Dept of Neurology; and “Adult Day Health Services and Support Groups,” by Terri Pint and Ann Fountain, Milestones in Cedar Rapids and Marion, and Tracey Robertson, ECI Alzheimer’s Association. A closing session will be presented by Jeremy Hudson, Chaplain at St. Luke’s Hospice.
Participants will also have the opportunity to enjoy free chair massage and reflexology therapies. Free health screenings will be available including, blood pressure checks, derma scan for skin cancer, and flu shots. The nearby Village Ridge Assisted Living will be offering free respite care, enabling caregivers to enjoy the day.”
Heritage Family Caregiver Program Coordinator, Sandy Nulle notes that family and friend caregivers provide invaluable resources to their loved ones. “Their courage, compassion, and dedication allows the person they are caring for to remain in the home in a loving environment. That often comes at great economic, physical and mental costs to the caregiver. This event is being held to recognize and celebrate the contributions that in-home caregivers of older adults in our region make and to support them in their role,” Nulle said.
Nulle also expressed appreciation for the many organizations that will make the day’s programs possible. They include:
Presenting Sponsors: Aging Services, Alliant Energy, Amenity Hospice, Bickford Assisted Living & Memory Care, CarePro Home Medical & CarePro Home Health, Comfort Keepers, Essence of Life Hospice, Evergreen Estates I, II, III, Healthy Linn Care Network, Heritage Nursing & Rehab Center, Home Instead Senior Care, Hospice of Mercy, Iowa Hospice, The Meth-Wick Community, St. Luke’s Hospice, St. Luke’s Lifeline, Summit Pointe, Windmill Pointe/Hawthorne Inn/Windmill Manor. Patron Sponsors: Manor Care Health Services, Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Sound Clarity Inc., Visiting Angels of Cedar Rapids, Witwer Senior Center.
The event is free, but registration is requested to ensure adequate food and materials are available. You can register to attend by calling the Heritage Agency at 319-398-5559 or 1-800-332-5934. For further details about this event, ask for Sandy Nulle or Katherine Hines of the agency.