Who Will Care for Our Caregivers?
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2006-08-21 16:33:00-04:00
From Dr. Bill Thomas' perspective, caregiving is not a one-way exchange. The process of being in a loving caregiving relationship requires not only honoring and respecting the one receiving care, but by loving and caring for the caregiver as well.
Dr.Thomas will provide guidance on both sides of the issue. In caring for loved ones, he can advise caregivers how to use resources available to them appropriately; to take advantage of the advances in the field of aging including the wise use of prescription medications and geriatric-focused health care. In caring for the individual providing care, Dr. Thomas will discuss how caregivers need to practice their own preventative health care and work to maintain a lifestyle that enables them to take care of themselves while giving so much to others. Dr. Thomas' keynote talk will begin at 5:30 p.m.
About the Second Annual Delaware Caregiver Expo
November is National Family Caregiving Month. It's a special time to thank, support, educate and advocate for the more than 130,000 family caregivers across Delaware.
Delaware Caregiver Expo 2006. Taking Charge. A Day of Learning, Sharing & Support will be held Nov. 2, from Noon to 7 p.m. at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington.
Registration opens at 11 a.m. This year's Expo will be hosted by Delaware Health and Social Services/Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DHSS/DSAAPD) in coordination with AARP Delaware and others.
This free event is open to those providing care to someone 60+ or to caregivers who are 60+ and raising grandchildren. Caregivers will join others in similar circumstances for a full day of learning, sharing and support. Delaware Caregiver Expo 2006 attendees will have the opportunity to attend educational seminars, health screenings and product demonstrations. The seminars will cover important topics such as available resources, access to care, and caregiver-related financial, legal and insurance issues. Those attending can also watch cooking demonstrations, learn new quick and healthy recipes, and relax with spa treatments. Lunch, mid-day snacks and dinner will be available for all attendees.
Along with Dr. Thomas, speakers will include:
- Larry Mendte, evening news anchor of CBS3 News
- Suzanne Mintz, co-founder of the National Family Caregivers Association
- Dr. Sara Stookey, a geriatric specialist
- Jack Markell, Delaware State Treasurer
- Frank Miller, a nationally certified school psychologist
For more information, please call (302)255-9390 or go online.
About Dr. Bill Thomas, AARP's Visiting Scholar
Dr. Bill Thomas is a man of many titles - international authority on geriatric medicine and eldercare, gentleman farmer, author, president of The Center for Growing and Becoming, Inc., a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting and developing constructive holistic approaches to aging and the care of older people—among others.
As AARP's Visiting Scholar, Dr. Thomas is busy crisscrossing America helping others learn how important it is to be comfortable with just being human—and being loved, cared for and honored. Caregiving, by either managing the care of a loved one or as an employee, is a central focus in his work and his lectures.
Dr. Thomas is perhaps best known for his work leading the Eden Alternative, an organization committed to improving the care received by people who live in institutions everywhere. Most recently, Dr. Thomas developed the Green House, a radically new approach to long-term care. In 2005, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation announced a five year ten million dollar grant that will result in the creation of Green House projects in all fifty states.
He was named as one of America's Best Leaders by U.S. News & World Report by a committee convened by the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
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