50+ Lifestyles

Caregiver Fair provides needed information

By Pam Berenger
Community Liason
Intouch Adult Day Care and Home Care Services

The complexities of aging and caregiving can be overwhelming at times. With more and more older people electing to live independent, non-institutionalized lives, and families choosing to keep their loved at home, the need for information is crucial.

Intouch Adult Day Services of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois in Moline and Lundgren Family Chiropractic, in Rock Island, are partnering to provide a day of health and pampering for today’s caregivers and future caregivers, and to assist people in learning more about community resources and services available to them.

The Caregiver Fair is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, January 28 at Intouch Adult Day Services, 4011 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 102 in Moline. There will be free massages, paraffin dips for hands, facials and tips on staying healthy and fit. Agencies and professionals providing a variety of home and healthcare services will also be on hand to discuss how to maintain a healthy and productive home environment.

Half hour educational programs will be held throughout the day. Topics and times are: 10 a.m. – Dr. Jill Bjerke, Aging in Place; 10:30 – Jerry Schroeder from the Alzheimer’s Association, dementia and caregiving facts; 11 a.m. – Dr. Robert Milas and Mary Milas, RN, MSN, FCN – Parkinson’s Disease; 11:30 a.m. – Dr. Waseem Ahmad – Diagnosing Dementia and treatment options; Noon – Caitlin Leeney, How to Stay Young the First 100 Years; 1 p.m. – Melissa Uzzell, Veteran’s Administration Accredited Attorney, – Veterans Benefits; 1:30 p.m. – Vickie Reschke, University of Illinois Master Gardener – Indoor Gardening.

“Rosalyn Carter may have said it best when she stated, ‘There are only four kinds of people in the world – those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers,’” Pam Berenger, Community Liaison at Intouch said. “As the baby-boomer generation ages, it is vital that we all become better informed.”

Intouch staff will be available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for those who need assistance with respite care for their family member.

The event is free, and the public is invited. Breakfast will be served until 10 a.m. Lunch will be available beginning at 11 a.m. A free-will donation will be accepted for the meals.

For vendor information contact Caitlin Leeney at (309)793-4858 or Pam Berenger at (309)797-0200.