50+ Lifestyles

Caregiver Fair Provides Needed Information

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

Intouch Adult Day and Home Care Services of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, 4011 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 102, in Moline invites the public to a caregiver fair Saturday, October 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fair will provide caregivers the opportunity to learn about available resources and services. The fair also will offer free massages, paraffin dips for hands, and tips on staying healthy and fit.

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.

“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.”

Agencies, including Alternatives for the Older Adult, the Alzheimer’s Association, Faith In Action and Illinois Iowa Center for Independent Living– along with professionals from home care agencies, assisted living facilities and hospice organizations, will discuss how to maintain a healthy and productive environment while caring for someone.

Four educational programs will be:

9:30 – 10:15 a.m.: Dawn Blocklinger, RD, LDN, a registered and licensed dietician will offer a variety of tips on healthy eating and preparing meals for those with special needs.

10:30 – Noon: Dr. Phillip Kent, neuropsychologist, and Jerry Schroeder, Alzheimer’s Association Program Specialist, will give an overview of dementia, the diagnosis process, its affect on behavior and coping skills followed by a question and answer period.

12:30 – 1:15: David and Claudia Magill, Certified Instructors of the TM® technique, will present Transcendental Meditation®: A Non-Pharmaceutical Approach to Treating Stress and Anxiety

“As the baby-boomer generation ages, it is vital that we all become better informed,” said Mary Bivens, Intouch’s program director. “It is also important to plan for our future before there is a crisis. Planning enables caregivers to carry out their loved ones’ wishes with less worry. With so many professionals in one place the caregiver fair will help people begin the planning process as well as refresh the spirit.”

According to the 2003 National Alliance for Caregiving/AARP National Caregiver Survey, at least 44.4 million adults provide the care that is so critical in helping friends and loved ones with debilitating illnesses remain in their homes and other community settings. It is estimated that 80 percent of all care received by older Americans is provided by family members – spouses, children, grandchildren and other relatives.

“We look forward to assisting caregivers in any way we can,” Ms. Bivens said. “Caregivers deserve the same tender loving care they provide for their loved ones.”

The event is free and open to the public. Breakfast will be served until 10 a.m. Lunch will be available beginning at 11 a.m.

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. Reservations are not necessary but helpful if needing respite care. For more information call Intouch, (309) 797-0200.

Pam Berenger is Community Liasison at Intouch Adult Day and Home Care Services, 4011 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 102, Moline, IL 61265. She can be reached at (309) 797-0200 ext. 304