By Michelle Rene Marseilles
The Baltimore County Department of Aging Caregivers Conference—in its ninth year—was held in November at the Parkville Senior Center. Over 100 Baltimore-area family caregivers attended the conference to learn practical ways to handle the challenges of family caregiving for older adults.
Respite services for the event were offered free of charge by Active Day of Parkville. A sponsor of the event was Professional Pharmacy of Rosedale. During this free daylong event, attendees spoke with a variety of local vendors about options and products designed to make the life of the caregiver easier.
Keynote speaker, Nancy Weitzel, L.S.W.A., of PEERS: Seniors in Partnership, Mental Health Association of Maryland, started the day with helpful information regarding self-care for caregivers. Also featured were six breakout sessions tailored to caregivers’ specific needs. Caregivers selected from topics such as “Practical Advice for Dealing with Behaviors,” “Proper Hands-On Care in the Home,” “Family Dynamics and Changing Expectations,” “How to Talk to Your Family Doctor,” “Safety: Driving, Medication, Housing Options and Legal Issues for the Aging Family.” Guest speakers for each session provided “tip sheets” with highlights of best practices.
An “Ask the Expert” panel concluded the event, with panelists answering questions from the audience about behavioral, legal and practical hands-on care issues. Participating panelists included Melinda Fitting, Ph.D., of Comprehensive Geriatric Services (geriatric psychology); Jason Frank, Esq., of Frank, Frank and Scherr (elder law/legal); and Ann Saar, O.T.R./L, an independent contractor (occupational therapy) with the Maryland Department of Aging.
Throughout the day, representatives from the Department of Aging assisted with Medicare Prescription Drug enrollment in the computer lab. Many took advantage of the professional on-site help that the Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offered.
Based on completed conference evaluation surveys, over 95 percent of attendees agreed that they learned about new resources and/or new strategies to assist them in family caregiving as a result of attending this annual event.
The Caregiver Conference is held each November in honor of National Family Caregiver Month. It is an outreach of the Baltimore County Department of Aging Caregivers’ Program, which is federally funded by the National Family Caregivers Support Program (NFCSP).
Hold the date for the 10th anniversary of the Caregivers Conference, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007, at Catonsville Senior Center. For more information, call Senior Information and Assistance at 410-887-2594.
Revised January 8, 2007
Courthouse 