The Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area (AAACAP) and AGE of Central Texas moved their annual family caregiver conference, Striking a Balance, online to safely bring caregivers together in their own homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference will be a four-day web series from August 17-20 that provides family caregivers with new resources, tools and techniques that improve their loved one’s care and renew their own spirits.
This year’s keynote speaker is Marty Richards, author of Caresharing: A Reciprocal Approach to Care Giving and Care Receiving in the Complexities of Aging Illness or Disability. Richards will lead two sessions on August 19 that will focus on keeping hope alive while providing care and living your life after caregiving. Richards holds a masters in social work and has worked with older adults and their families for more than 50 years. Richards has taught at the University of Washington School of Social Work and with the Certificate Program in Gerontology for more than 30 years and serves on Washington’s Dementia Action Collaborative.
“Richards has educated caregivers across the continuum of care,” said Patty Bordie, AAACAP director. “She believes its critical to keep a sense of hope while caring for our loved ones and self which seems exceedingly relevant and necessary during these uncertain times.”
Other conference topics will include caregiving while physical distancing, financial planning, providing care for your loved one in long-term care facilities, and keeping your loved one engaged. The online platform will feature an interactive chat experience, so caregivers will still have access to their most valuable resource — each other. Attendees will be able to share stories and learn from each other. These interactions are important to remind caregivers they are not alone, Bordie said.
Find a full conference schedule and register for any of the Striking a Balance sessions.
