Ontario County family caregivers and professionals who support older adults can attend a free inaugural caregiver conference Aug. 12 at Finger Lakes Community College, with advance registration required.
The Ontario County Office for the Aging and Thompson Health will host the conference from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the college's main campus, with registration beginning at 8 a.m. and breakfast and lunch provided.
The event is intended to give people caring for an aging parent, spouse, relative, friend or neighbor practical tools, local resources and strategies for balancing caregiving with work, family responsibilities and their own health.
Organizers said the conference will include expert speakers, educational workshops, community resource exhibitors and opportunities for caregivers to connect with others. Topics may include dementia care, caregiver wellness, long-term care options, legal and financial planning, community support and managing caregiver stress.
Office for the Aging Director Triciajean Saxton called family caregivers the backbone of the health care system, providing unpaid care that helps older adults remain independent in their communities. "Our goal is to ensure caregivers know they are not alone," she said, adding that the conference will offer opportunities to learn from experts, meet others facing similar challenges and find resources that can make caregiving more manageable.
The Office for the Aging also provides year-round caregiver services, including information and assistance, respite services, counseling, support groups, educational programs and referrals to community resources.
The conference is open to current caregivers and people who expect to become caregivers in the future. Space is limited, and registration is available by calling the Ontario County Office for the Aging at 585-396-4040 or through the office's page on the Ontario County website.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.
