Symposium Seeks Family Caregivers
Witnessing a loved one battle Alzheimers can be heartbreaking. Additionally, providing around-the-clock care to a debilitated family member with the disease is no doubt emotionally, financially and physically draining.
The National Institute on Aging defines Alzheimers as an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and eventually the ability to carry out lifes simplest tasks.
According to the Alzheimers Association, in the United States, an estimated 5.4 million people are living with Alzheimers disease which usually surfaces after age 60.
In 2010, 14.9 million family members and friends provided 17 billion hours of unpaid care to those with Alzheimers and other dementias; their services were valued at a jolting $202.6 billion. Additionally, in 2010 more than half-million caregivers in Illinois provided 659,939,981 hours of unpaid care, translating into more than $7 billion.
It is therefore no wonder that for the last decade, the Alzheimers Association Greater Illinois Chapter has produced a conference for individuals who are primary caretakers of family members battling Alzheimers.
On Oct. 15, the association in partnership with the South Side Dementia Consortium will present You Are Not Alone: Supporting Caregivers of Loved Ones with Memory Loss at Kennedy-King College in Chicagos Englewood community.
The purpose of the conference is to offer vital information to family caregivers, said Beverly Kimmons diversity initiatives director, Alzheimers Association Greater Illinois Chapter. According to Kimmons who has organized the event for the last five years, the conference is the only one of its kind in the Midwest.
Rita Mitchell, a caregiver for her mother who suffers from Vascular Dementia has attended the symposium for the past six years.
I have also found that it is important for people to find the humor in caregiving and this conference lets you mingle and share stories about your struggles and helps foster an atmosphere of support, inspiration and hope, she said.
Tom Jones, assistant commissioner, Chicago Department on Aging, will act as master of ceremonies and the conference will feature expert speakers from the medical and legal fields. The speakers will also participate in a panel discussion on managing Alzheimers.
Other symposium happenings include a resource fair, guided support sessions, boxed lunch, door prizes and free parking.
To register for the conference please call Cheryl Dawson at 847-933-2413 or log on to www. alz.org/Illinois. There is a registration fee of $10; limited financial assistance may be available.
by Thelma Sardin
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