Monroe's annual caregiver fair moves to larger site
9/29/2010MONROE - The annual caregiver fair sponsored by the Monroe Aging Consortium and the Monroe County Commission on Aging has some changes this year.
Terri Hamad, director of the commission on aging, said the annual caregiver fair still intends to reach parents, relatives, neighbors, and friends of aging and disabled people to provide them with valuable information on services.
However, the event was not held in April as in past years and instead will be held Saturday. It also will move into a more spacious location on the Monroe County Community College campus.
Organizers said the changes are designed to attract a larger audience and offer more them information.
"This is our seventh caregiver fair," Ms. Hamad said. "We moved into a larger space that allows us to have more tables. Last year, we had vendors who didn't get it. We didn't have enough space."
The fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Health Education Building at the college.
In addition to the more than 50 exhibitors that have signed up, the caregiver fair will feature speakers who are experts in issues affecting aging and disabled and those who care for them.
Dr. Andrew Sears, a speaker, writer, and surgeon from Saginaw, Mich., will give the keynote presentation from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
"Dr. Sears will present a holistic approach on how to live your life to its maximum potential," Ms. Hamad said. "He will give you ways to make changes today to ensure a better tomorrow, cope with challenges, and make your life more fulfilling."
Participants also will have the opportunity to attend six other presentations.
From 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., the following speakers are scheduled:
•Katy Graham, managing attorney for Elder Law and Advocacy Center at Neighborhood Legal Services Michigan, will offer information for caregivers who are concerned their older or disabled loved one may be at risk for financial or physical abuse.
•M. Jayne Davidson of the Alzheimer's Association will provide an overview of facts about the disease and related dementia.
•Tracey White, a nurse at Heartland Home Health Care, will discuss techniques and tips to assist caregivers with bathing, skin care, exercise, position-ing for comfort and prevention of skin irritation, meal preparation, and ways to alleviate caregiver burnout.
These topics and presenters will take place from noon to 12:45 p.m.:
•"Legal Solutions for Senior Security: Protect Yourself, Your Assets, and Your Family" will be presented by Ms. Graham and will cover probate, guardian and conservator, joint accounts, power of attorney, wills and trusts, quit-claim deeds, alternatives to nursing home care, and Medicare/Medicaid - how to pay for long-term care.
•Janice Luther of Metro Home Health Care will address issues facing relatives who care for people who are aging at home. Topics will include adaptive equipment, home modification, fall prevention, body mechanics, and transfer techniques.
•"Caregiver 911," a presentation by Mari Broman of Mercy Memorial Hospice, will provide information and available resources on ways to manage and relieve caregiver stress.
Free flu shots will be available for people covered by Medicare and will cost $25 for all others.