Help for Caregivers: Conference Focuses on Practical and Emotional Aspects of Caregiving

Lynn Korte

On Monday, June 5, Aging and Disability Services Administration, ElderHealth Northwest, and AARP Washington, along with numerous community organizations, will again sponsor a day-long conference for caregivers, Challenges in Caregiving: Giving Care, Taking Care. The conference will be held in Tukwila, Washington at the Tukwila Community Center.

The conference is for in-home caregivers, people who provide personal care or assist another person with health care. Caregivers who will benefit from the conference are:

• family members (spouses, adult children or other relatives)
• home care aides
• chore/COPES/respite workers
• adult family home providers
• adult day care and assisted living staff 

This year's keynote speaker, P.K. Beville, is a nationally known author, consultant, and educator. Her program, Second Wind Dreams, has been featured on television's Three Wishes. P.K. is sure to inspire and entertain while sharing specific strategies on the issues of caregiving. In addition, she'll give workshops on managing the challenging behaviors of persons with dementia.

This conference offers practical ideas that caregivers can put to use in their daily home or work situations. Some of the valuable topics include managing stress, legal and financial planning, and finding in-home help. In addition, over 40 exhibitors will provide resource information about products and services that are available to assist caregivers in Washington state.

Other important topics for caregivers will be:

• Understanding depression
• Back injury prevention
• Coping with the difficult emotions of caregiving
• Effective communication with your health care provider
• Recognizing mental illness in persons with developmental disabilities
• Promoting cooperation among family members

Feedback from past conferences has been overwhelmingly positive. The wide range of topics will allow caregivers to choose the information that they need most.

The registration fee for individual caregivers (family members, individual COPES or chore providers) is $25 through the registration deadline of May 22 ($30 after that date). Scholarships are available. The fee for agency-based caregivers is $50. Fees include workshops, lunch and resource exhibits. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Call today to receive a brochure and registration packet: 1-800-422-3263 or 360-725-2544.

Lynn Korte is Program Manager for Aging & Disability Services Administration with Washington State's Department of Social & Health Services.