×

Conference provides caregivers with information and tools

AGING MATTERS

November is just around the corner and with it comes National Caregiver Month.

The Maui County Office on Aging is kicking it off on Nov. 16 with its 17th annual Maui Family Caregiver’s Conference at the Grand Wailea Ballroom.

This annual conference has grown from under 100 participants in 2002 to an estimated 300 participants this year. Caregivers will not only enjoy high-quality speakers, but the beautiful surroundings at the Grand Wailea and networking opportunities with over 30 exhibitors at the resource fair portion of the conference.

Equip yourself for the journey on aging and caregiving with information and tools shared by the speakers. Come listen and learn. Registration cost includes conference materials, continental breakfast, buffet lunch and a chance to win prizes. For family caregivers, seniors and students the registration is just $25, and for professionals it is $35. Some scholarships are available to qualified individuals and limited bus transportation from Central Maui is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Terry and Michelle Barcley are the conference keynote speakers and will present “Living Well with Dementia.” Together they have several decades of experience working with individuals and families impacted by dementia. They have collaborated extensively with the Alzheimer’s Association to advocate specific strategies that help both caregivers and care receivers cope with a dementia diagnosis and to live their best lives. Conference attendees will learn and practice these strategies.

Malia Kimura is a doctor of physical therapy. She will focus on tools and strategies to safely move and transfer loved ones. Safe transfers are critical to both caregivers and their loved ones. If the caregiver injures himself or herself while helping their loved one move from the bed to a chair or a chair into the bathtub, everyone is impacted.

Terri Driesel is also a physical therapist. Her focus will be on basic wound care to reduce the risk of infection. Prevention and regular monitoring of wounds, especially of those with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, is key to managing long- term health.

This annual conference brings together resources and information for caregivers at various stages in caregiving — from those who are “just helping out” to those who are providing 24-hour care to their loved ones.

It’s never too early or late to build your caregiving team and to find the support that will help you thrive while caregiving.

Rosalynn Carter, the former first lady, perfectly describes not only our relationship to caregiving, but also those who would benefit from the 17th annual Family Caregiver Conference. She said, “There are only four kinds of people in the world. Those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.”

To learn more about the 17th annual Family Caregiver Conference on Nov. 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Grand Wailea, contact the Maui County Office on Aging at 270-7755, by email at mcoa.adrc@mauicounty.gov, or online at www.mauicountyadrc.org. Registration deadline is Nov. 2, so call, register and pay today!

• Heather Greenwood Junkermeier is with the University of Hawaii Manoa Cooperative Extension, Maui Intergenerational and Aging Programs.” Aging Matters” covers topics of interest to the aging Maui community and appears on the third Sunday of each month.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper?
     
Support Local Journalism on Maui

Only $99/year

Subscribe Today