50+ Lifestyles

Quad City Family Caregiver Conference

By Chris White
Marketing and PR Coordinator
Milestone’s Area Agency on Aging

When my mom had her two knee replacement surgeries, I helped take care of her. I’d sit with her, make meals and attend to her personal needs. Now that she’s fully recovered and more independent, I still help with yard work and some minor household repairs she can’t handle. And as always, I’m her tech support. As I was going through these stages, I did not consider myself to be a caregiver, even though I was, and still am.

Caregiving is different for each individual and family. Some forms of help can be pretty simple, while others are more challenging and require assistance with hands-on support or making decisions about complex medical care. Caregivers are highly engaged in the pursuit of health information, support, care, and advice, both online and offline, and do many health-related activities at higher levels than non-caregivers.

Caregivers don’t often get the appreciation or support they deserve. It’s hard for them to accept help or even ask for it. More than likely, it’s hard to find the time in an already busy schedule to seek out information that can assist them in their caregiving role.

That’s why the Quad City Family Caregiver Conference was created ten years ago; to provide a lot of information, all under one roof, especially for caregivers. It will be held on March 21st from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Golden Leaf Banquet Center, 2902 E. Kimberly Road in Davenport. Anthony Carroll from AARP will be on-hand to give a talk on the CARE Act. Our keynote speaker, Christopher MacLellan from the Whole Care Network, will talk about self-care for caregivers and caregiver stress in the workplace. This year will also feature a Community Discussion Panel on Seniors vs. Crime. Community members will discuss awareness of crimes against seniors and action to prevent these crimes.  The panel will include law enforcement Elderly Service Officers, Adult Rights Specialists, and other community representatives from counties in Iowa and Illinois.

A variety of exhibitors will feature products, services and programs to help caregivers and the people they are caring for. There will be light refreshments and door prizes. Family Caregiver Specialists from Milestones Area Agency on Aging (AAA), Alternatives for the Older Adult, 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.

Chris White is Marketing and PR Coordinator at Milestones Area Agency on Aging. He can be reached at (563) 484-3147 or at cwhite@milestonesaaa.org.