Caregivers from throughout the Puget Sound can get the kind of current, practical skills and resources that they can apply immediately in their daily caregiving responsibilities. “Challenges in Caregiving: Giving Care, Taking Care” will be held on Monday, June 6, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Tukwila Community Center, 12424 42nd Ave. S. in Tukwila.
Wendy Lustbader returns as this year’s keynote speaker. Lustbader is a nationally known speaker and author of several books on caregiving and topics related to aging. She never fails to inform, inspire and touch the hearts of her audience with stories and examples from real life situations. Lustbader will also offer a workshop on dealing with difficult personalities and another specific to the special concerns of caregivers who care for a partner or spouse.
Caregivers can choose from 16 workshops to find information they most need in their unique situation. Choices range widely, with practical as well as emotional issues covered on a variety of topics including:
· Care strategies for behaviors associated with dementia and developmental disabilities
· Managing anger, grief and stress
· Learning to relax naturally
· Back injury prevention
· Care at the end of life
· Medicaid and COPES eligibility
· Simplifying ways to healthier eating
· Legal and financial planning
The conference is for family caregivers (spouses, adult children, parents of adults with disabilities, or other relatives); paid professional caregivers, facility staff and social service professionals.
The conference is sponsored by Pierce County Community Connections’ Aging and Long Term Care together with the Aging and Disability Services Administration and other community organizations.
The early registration fee (by May 24) for individual caregivers is $30 and $50 for paid caregivers. Registration includes workshops, lunch, snacks and resource exhibits. Information and registration forms are available by contacting the Pierce County Aging and Disability Resource Center at 253-798-4600 or 800-562-0332 or at www.PierceCountyWA.org/FCSP.