20th Caregivers Conference

Family and professional caregivers, social workers, nurses and others can get information and access resources at the 20th annual Caregivers’ Conference set for 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at the DoubleTree Hotel, 210 Holiday Court, Annapolis.

The Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities once again has teamed up with organizations and facilities to provide a day filled with useful and educational materials for both informal caregivers and professionals in the field. Topics will provide caregivers with information and practical tools.

At the opening session, Lon Kieffer, aka Doc (The Defender of Caregivers), will offer “When Generations Collide – Respect Your Others,” a hilarious and dynamic presentation that highlights the day-to-day realities of living with, loving, and caring for OTHERS regardless of age, role, or relationship.

Participants can choose two of six workshops. These include a Virtual Dementia Tour, which helps caregivers to know what care recipients are living daily; “Legal Needs for Diminished Capacity”; or “Caregiver Grief: A Constant Companion” in Session I. In Session II, the choices are “The Caregiver’s Dilemma”, “Resources for Kinship Caregivers”, or “Facilitating Communication: More Than a Two-Way Street.”

Following lunch, the Mental Health Players of Maryland will present an interactive drama on caregiving. In the closing session, Mary Fridley, registered nurse and founder of Gero-Resources LLC, will talk on “From There to Here, and Here To There, Funny Things from Everywhere.”.

Sponsors include Five Star Quality Care (Heartfields Assisted Living at Bowie, Heartlands Assisted Living at Severna Park, and Somerford Place Alzheimer’s Assisted Living in Annapolis); Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services; Gero-Resources, LLC; Home Instead Senior Care; Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Lifeline; Bath Fitter; Morningside House of Friendship; Chesapeake Caregivers Inc.; and Sunrise Senior Living.

Free respite care is being offered by Active Day Center of Pasadena (410-255-2879) and Active Day Center of Annapolis (410-573-9100). Call no later than April 13 for reservations.

The $15 registration fee includes a continental breakfast and lunch as well as materials, speakers, and vendor presentations. Social work Continuing Education Units are an additional $10. Registration should be made by April 16 at www.aacounty.org/aging under the Caregiving section; by calling 410-222-4464, Ext. 3043; or by stopping by the county Department of Aging and Disabilities, 2666 Riva Road, Fourth Floor, Annapolis.

Anyone needing accommodations must contact Mary Chaput, director of the National Family Caregiver Support Program, at 410-222-4464, Ext. 3045, or by e-mail at [email protected] at least seven days in advance of the event. TTY users can call via Maryland Relay 711. All materials will be available in alternative formats upon request.