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Caregivers to make strong return at event

JANESVILLE — The annual caregiver conference was so helpful in 2008 that many who attended want to come back this year.

"It was very informative and well presented. Hope I can attend next year," wrote one person, but echoed by others.

The annual Caregiver Conference's 2009 theme is "Celebrating the Spirit of Caregivers," said Julie Seeman, information and assistance specialist at the Rock County Council on Aging.

The council is co-presenting the Monday, Nov. 9, event with the Rock County Community Partnerships for Older Adults Committee.

"It honors the strength and courage it takes to care for someone in need and provides an uplifting and supportive atmosphere where both professional and family caregivers learn more about enhancing care of their loves ones, patients and themselves," Seeman said of the conference.

Featured speaker is Mary Pierce, humorist and author, who has been offering motivational messages to audiences since 1996. Her keynote address, "The Joy of Connection," will be presented at noon.

"Mary has worked as a stockbroker, teacher, radio co-host and corporate trainer. She and her husband share their home with Mary's 95-year-old mother," Seeman said.

Those who attend the conference will learn more about Pierce's other services at www.laughlady.com and her book, "When Did I Stop Being Barbie and Become Mrs. Potato Head," which will be on sale.

A vendor fair also will be held during the conference.

The intent of the conference is to educate family caregivers with issues they are facing and to interject some lightness to the day.

"The reason people are caregivers, is they care and love their family members. We need to support them so they can continue their journey to care for their loved ones and explain how to keep them going when they are in that day-to-day caregiver trench," Seeman said.

The benefits of attending are plentiful, she said.

"It helps to know you are not the only one going through this," Seaman said, "and that there is support outside their circle."

CAREGIVER CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

The morning's events will follow this schedule:

-- 8:30 to 9 a.m., check in.

-- 9 a.m., welcome.

-- 9:15 to 10:15 a.m., participants select one of these sessions: "Understanding the Grief of Illness" with Sandi Elmer of HospiceCare, "Become a Champion Advocate" with Ombudsman Matt Rohloff or "Fall Prevention" with Joyce Lubben of the Rock County Council on Aging.

-- 10:15 to 10:30 a.m., break.

-- 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., participants select one of these sessions: "Essential Legal Documents" with Mike Vogel of Vogel Law Firm, "Healthy Minds/Active Minds" with Joelle Wickus of Lutheran Social Services or "Tips and Tools for Easier Home Care" with the therapy staff of Mercy Health System.

-- Noon, keynote address.

Here is the afternoon schedule of events:

-- 1:15 to 2:15 p.m., participants select one of these sessions: "Handling Grief through the Holidays" with Fran Coan-Meredith of HospiceCare, "Home Health Services and Medicare" with Deb Jacobson of Home Health United or "Working with Modified Diets" with Amy Ramsey of the Department of Health Services Bureau of Aging and Disability Resources.

-- 2:15 to 2:30 p.m., break.

-- 2:30 to 3 p.m., participants select one of these sessions: "Ethics in the Trenches—Are There Boundaries?" with Marianne Ewig of September Managed Care for Later Years, "Communicating With Your Healthcare Professional" with parish nurse Virginia Wyss and Tammy Pence of the Alzheimer's Support Center or "Creating Moments of Joy" with Mary Pierce.

-- 3:45 to 4 p.m., closing and door prize giveaways.