November Kicks-Off National Family Caregivers Month

Family caregivers and a cadre of professional and charitable organizations come together in November in support and appreciation of National Family Caregivers Month.

November Kicks-Off National Family Caregivers Month

Palm Beach County, FL – November 1, 2010 – Family caregivers and a cadre of professional and charitable organizations that support them will be participating in a variety of events throughout November in support and appreciation of National Family Caregivers Month. The activities come on the heels of a Proclamation in support of Family Caregivers Month, signed October 19th, 2010 by Governor Charlie Christ.

Schedule Of Events:

Thursday, November 4, 2010:

“CAREGIVER APPRECIATION DAY”
9:00 AM TO 1:00 PM

Sponsored by the Palm Beach County Family Caregivers Coalition. Participants will be treated to free relaxation therapies, makeovers, cooking demonstrations, raffle drawings, gift bags and more. RSVP by November 2, 2010 to Kim or Marge at (561) 833-6333. Lunch will be provided. Seating is limited.

Location:
Palm Healthcare Pavilion
5205 Greenwood Ave.
West Palm Beach, FL 33407

Press Contact:
Judith Brustad
Palm Healthcare Foundation
(561) 840-4222 x101

Cont.

Monday, November 15, 2010:

“CAREGIVER APPRECIATION DAY”
Registration: 9 AM: Program runs from 9:50 AM to 2:30 PM

Presented by the Memory Disorder Centers — St. Mary’s Medical Center and the MorseLife Foundation. Featuring Dr. Walter Martinez, with the focus on “Caring for Your Mind, Body and Spirit”. Activities include breakfast, luncheon and door prizes. RSVP by November 10, 2010.

Location:
MorseLife at the
Marilyn & Stanley M. Katz Seniors Campus
4847 Fred Gladstone Drive
West Palm Beach, FL 33417
For more information contact:
Jackie Miller,
561-882-6363

Tuesday, November 16, 2010:

PRESENTATION BY THE PALM BEACH COUNTY COMMISSION OF A PROCLAMATION IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVERS MONTH
9:30 AM

At the Board of County Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Steven Abrams (District 4) will present the proclamation to Dr. Connie Siskowski, President and Founder of the American Association of Caregiving Youth and Judith Brustad, Director of Pavilion Programs at Palm Healthcare Foundation. Joining Dr. Siskowski and Ms. Brustad will be local youth caregivers — and adult plus senior caregivers.

Location:
Palm Beach County Commission Chambers
301 N. Olive Avenue
West Palm Beach, FL 33401

Press Contacts:
Dr. Connie Siskowski (connie @aacy.org)
American Association of Caregiving Youth (www.aacy.org)
Florida Representative National Family Caregivers Association
561-391-7401, or

Judith Brustad
Palm Healthcare Foundation
(561) 840-4222 x101

Cont.
Thursday, November 18th, 2010:

“ALL ABOUT CAREGIVING” INFORMATIONAL SEMINAR
10:00 AM
As part of Alzheimer’s Association Week (November 15-19), The Volen Center will be holding an informational seminar entitled “All About Caregiving” presented by David Levy, where participants can learn about Alzheimer’ disease and support those who are impacted by the disease.

Location
The Volen Center
1515 West Palmetto Park Road
Boca Raton, FL 33486
For more information contact:
Hanna Klinsberg,
561-395-8920
www.maevolen.com

More About National Family Caregivers Month:

Chronology:

1994 - The National Family Caregivers Association launched the first ever celebration of family caregiving declaring National Family Caregivers Week.
1997 - President Clinton signs the first proclamation in support of National Family Caregivers Week. NFC Month has been proclaimed by an American President annually ever since. Many states, and dozens of local municipalities have proclaimed November, NFC Month.
2000 – President Clinton establishes The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP), providing grants to States and Territories, based on their share of the population aged 70 and over, to fund a range of supports that assist family and informal caregivers to care for their loved ones at home for as long as possible.
The National Family Caregivers Association coordinates National Family Caregivers Month as a time to thank, support, educate and empower family caregivers. Celebrating Family Caregivers during NFC month enables all of us to:
• Raise awareness of family caregiver issues
• Celebrate the efforts of family caregivers
• Educate family caregivers about self-identification
• Increase support for family caregivers
Cont.
More about Family Caregivers:

65 million — Approximate number of Americans who care for chronically ill, injured, elderly or disabled loved ones (more than 29% of the U.S. population); more than 1.4 million are youth caregivers. In Palm Beach County alone, estimates of the youth caregiving population exceed 10,000 children.
$354 million—Estimated economic value of informal caregiving annually in the U.S. (2009).
1.3 million — Number of Floridians age 65 or older suffering from at least one form of disability, including more than 523,000 probable cases of Alzheimer’s disease.
23.6% — Percent of Florida residents age 60 or older. That number is expected to rise swiftly as members of the Baby Boomer generation reach this age group.
No one else is in a better position to ensure continuity of care. Family caregivers are the most familiar with their care recipients’ medicine regimen; they are the most knowledgeable about the treatment regimen; and they understand best the dietary and exercise regimen.
Families are the major provider of long-term care, but research has shown that caregiving exacts a heavy emotional, physical and financial toll. Many caregivers who work and provide care experience conflicts between these responsibilities. The same is true of youth caregivers in school. Almost half of all caregivers are over age 50, making them more vulnerable to a decline in their own health, and one-third describe their own health as fair to poor. For more on the impact felt by caregivers and economic trends in informal caregiving see http://www.aacy.org/publications/profile.pdf.