Southfield, Mich. (August 30, 2018) –The Area Agency on Aging 1-B (AAA 1-B), a local nonprofit focused on helping seniors and family caregivers, is hosting its 19th Annual Solutions for Family Caregivers Expo on Saturday, October 13, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Diamond Center of the Suburban Collection Showplace. The Suburban Collection Showplace is located at 46100 Grand River Avenue in Novi. Both admission and parking for the event are free.
The agency holds the event to help family caregivers—those people who are caring for an aging or disabled parent, grandparent, sibling, spouse or other relative—find supportive services and programs. The agency sees supporting family caregivers as a critical element in making sure area seniors get the care they need.
“Family caregivers are really the ones on the front lines providing the majority of care to the older adults in our community,” explained AAA 1-B CEO and President Michael Karson. “It’s imperative that we give these caregivers the support they need so they can best help the seniors in their care.”
Caring for an aging family member can be a demanding role. Caregivers are doing things like taking their loved ones to doctor’s appointments, coordinating their medical care, performing medical and nursing tasks, paying bills, grocery shopping, making meals, running errands, and helping their loved ones with day-to-day activities like bathing, dressing and eating. According to a 2015 report, Caregiving in the U.S., conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving and the AARP Public Policy Institute, there are over 33 million Americans providing care for someone 50 or older, and the average caregiver spends 24.4 hours a week providing that care.
Karson said that many family caregivers may feel overwhelmed and may not be sure what services and resources are available to help them. “Caregivers may not know about the organizations and programs that are there to help them” explained Karson. “That’s why this event is so important. It’s there to help those people who might be struggling with that caregiving role connect with those outside services and support they need.”
The event will feature 12 educational sessions on topics important to caregivers. (Legal tips, battling stress, preventing senior bullying, and caring for someone with dementia are just a few of the topics offered.) The event will also feature an exhibit hall where attendees can visit with
100 senior-focused companies and nonprofit organizations, and an “Ask the Expert” area where attendees can meet one-on-one with resource specialists from the Area Agency on Aging 1-B who can answer questions and offer on-the-spot guidance on issues like housing, long-term care options, transportation, and Medicare and Medicaid.
“Hopefully, caregivers are going to leave the event with new knowledge and new connections to programs and organization that can help and support them,” The event will also feature complimentary morning refreshments and a chance to win door prizes.
Free respite care will be offered onsite at the event. Respite Care will be provided by the Alzheimer’s Association—Greater Michigan Chapter and Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers. It will provide a safe, supervised environment and make sure that those caregivers who cannot leave their loved ones unsupervised can attend the event without worrying about finding care. Space in respite care is limited and people must register in advance. Reservations for respite care can be made by calling the AAA 1-B at (800) 852-7795.
The Solutions for Family Caregivers Expo is sponsored by: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan; The Elder Care Firm of Christopher J. Berry, Esq.; Health Alliance Plan (HAP); Henry Ford Health System; Humana; American House Senior Living Communities; Guardian Medical Monitoring; the Alzheimer’s Association—Greater Michigan Chapter; SameAddress; the Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP); SMART; Beaumont; Visiting Angels; Relevar Home Care/ Alivity Care Advocates; and Alternatives for Seniors.
For more information on the Area Agency on Aging 1-B’s free 2018 Solutions for Family Caregivers Expo can be found www.michigancaregiverexpo.com or by calling the AAA 1-B at 800-852-7795.
About the Area Agency on Aging 1-B
The Area Agency on Aging 1-B is a nonprofit agency responsible for services to more than 700,000 persons age 60 and older residing in Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw counties. Through the provision of home care and community-based services, older adults are provided with options that can help maintain their health and independence in their homes and communities.