Events and Activities : HERITAGE AGENCY SPONSORS CAREGIVER WELLNESS DAY

The Heritage Area Agency on Aging will host its annual Caregiver Wellness Day event Friday, Nov. 19, 2010. “A Celebration of Caregivers” is designed to give support and encouragement to informal caregivers of older adults in East Central Iowa and to help them focus on their own health and well-being.

This free program will be held at the Kirkwood Training and Outreach Services Center (KTOS), 3375 Armar Drive, in Marion, and registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. The Heritage Area Agency on Aging, in collaboration with staff from the Alzheimer’s Association, Hospice of Mercy, St. Luke’s Hospice, Hospice Compassus, Iowa Hospice, Home Instead Senior Care, Milestones Adult Day Centers in Cedar Rapids and Marion and Carepro Health Services are planning this event to honor and support caregivers in this region.

The keynote speaker for the day is Kathy Good, LMSW, whose presentation will be “We All Have a Story.” Good is a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers, a professional counselor and consultant, and active in various aspects of community services. Good has been a professor of human services at both Kirkwood Community College and The University of Iowa. She has presented many workshops on topics such as communication, conflict management, mediation and the process of change and many others. Since 2003 she has concentrated on aging issues and particularly on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. Good also has extensive personal experience as a family caregiver.

Other educational sessions will be presented throughout the day. They include: “End of Life Decisions” by Martha Quint, Attorney with Heritage’s Elder Law Project; “A Matter of Balance”, by Tim Getty, Nutrition & Health Promotions Coordinator at Heritage; and “Communicating with Health Care Providers,” presented by Cheryl Hennings, RN with CarePro Health Services. The program will close with a special musical presentation by “Tune-Up,” representing the Cedar Rapids Harmony Hawks.

Participants will also have the opportunity to enjoy free chair massage or reflexology therapies. Free blood pressure checks, and flu shots will be offered. The nearby Village Ridge Assisted Living will be offering free respite care, giving caregivers a break to enjoy the day.

Heritage Family Caregiver Program Coordinator Sandy Nulle notes that caregiving is “an issue that touches the lives of nearly every family” in the nation.

“It can be an awesome responsibility, at times joyful and fulfilling, but it can also be very stressful. This event is being held to recognize and celebrate the contributions that in-home caregivers of older adults in our region make and to support them in their role,” Nulle said.

Nulle also expressed appreciation for the many organizations that will make the day’s programs possible. “Thanks to our sponsors, we are able to offer this opportunity to family and friend caregivers of older adults at no cost,” she added.

This event is free, but registration is requested to ensure adequate food and materials are available. Please register by November 17, 2010 by calling the Heritage Agency office at 319-398-5559 or 1-800-332-5934. For further details about this event, ask for Sandy Nulle or Katherine Hines.