Goshen, N.Y. – The Orange County Office for the Aging (OFA) will host its second annual Caregiver Symposium on Thursday, October 24th. The event will be held at Graham M. Skea Lodge at Thomas Bull Memorial Park in Montgomery from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The topic of the symposium will be “Exploring the Mental Wellness of the Caregiver and Care-Receiver.”
“Caregiving is essential to helping individuals remain living in their home, age in place and continue to play an active role in their communities,” Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus said. “With that care comes a myriad of potential issues and concerns. Office for the Aging’s Caregiver Symposium will provide the opportunity to discuss and explore the multi-faceted world of caregiving and offer suggestions and helpful tools to family caregivers.”
Approximately 34.2 million Americans provided unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older in the last 12 months. The economic value of the unpaid care was nearly 32 billion dollars if that care had been provided by paid caregivers. More than one in six Americans working full-time or part-time report assisting with the care of an elderly or disabled family member, relative or friend.
“Everyone at one point in their lives will be caregivers,” said OFA Director AnnMarie Maglione. “This event allows us to assist and support the caregiver. We know that caring for yourself is one of the most important, and one of the most often forgotten, things you can do as a caregiver. When your needs are taken care of, the person you care for will benefit, too.”
The event will include keynote speaker Sandy Markwood, Chief Executive Officer for the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging. Caregivers will have the opportunity to pose questions to a panel comprised of agency professionals, including New York State Office for the Aging Acting Director Greg Olsen. Lunch, vendor tables, music and door prizes will also be included.
The Caregiver Symposium is a free event, but seating is limited. For more information and to register, please contact Colleen Hamel at (845) 615-3733 or Chamel@orangecountygov.com.
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