50+ Lifestyles

Caregiving is a role that impacts your life ….

By Peggy Dykes
Community Relations Director
Milestone’ Area Agency on Aging

You might be providing care for an aging parent, an ill spouse or disabled friend, either occasionally or daily. You might be miles away or across the street. If you are helping with a few things, you are probably managing. But, if you are handling several tasks and juggling other responsibilities, it is a challenge. Especially when providing hands-on support for medical and personal care or solving complex issues! Nearly one in four households is involved in providing physical and emotional assistance to older relatives and friends.

Increasing life spans with better management of chronic health conditions, shorter hospital stays, and fewer home care services have increased the caregiving responsibilities of families. Family caregivers are being asked to take on greater obligations for longer periods of time. These increased responsibilities can result in major health complications for the caregiver including high levels of stress and poor physical health. In addition, most family caregivers are not prepared to be caregivers and provide care with little or no support.

That’s why the Quad City Family Caregiver Conference was created six years ago; to provide a lot of information, all under one roof, specifically for caregivers. It will be held on Saturday, March 19th from 8 a.m. to noon at the Waterfront Convention Center, 2021 State Street in Bettendorf. Two keynote speakers, starting at 9 a.m. will explore substitute decision making along with another topic of interest for caregivers. A variety of exhibitors will feature products, services and programs to help both Iowa and Illinois caregivers and the people they are caring for. There are light refreshments and door prizes. Family Caregiver Specialists from Milestones Area Agency on Aging (AAA), Alternatives, Western Illinois AAA and the Alzheimer’s Association will be on hand to answer questions and guide you through the maze of caregiving issues.

It’s FREE and reservations are not necessary. If you have questions, please call Peggy at Milestones (563) 324-9085.

Peggy Dykes is Community Relations Director at Milestones Area Agency on Aging. She can be reached at (563) 324-9085, ext. 212 or at pdykes@milestones aaa.org.