​Howard County Office on Aging, Independence Host Caregiver Conference

From OOAI: The Howard County Office on Aging and Independence (OOAI) will host its caregiver conference, “The Caregiving Journey: A Universal Voyage,” on Saturday, March 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Glenwood 50+ Center, 2400 Route 97 in Cooksville.

Geared towards both family and professional caregivers, this all day event will open with “It's Not Always Alzheimer's: Understanding the Many Causes of Dementia," a keynote presentation by Nicole Absar, M.D. Dr. Absar is the Medical Director of the Copper Ridge Memory Clinic and is a diplomate in behavioral neurology and neuropsychiatry. She is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and American Board of Psychosomatic Medicine. She is also a registered yoga teacher and specializes in Yoga Therapy for brain disorders. Following Dr. Absar’s keynote presentation, attendees can attend a variety of informative breakout sessions offered in three tracks, including:

Track #1: Preparing for the Journey

• “Beginning Legal Preparations” presented by Blake Fetrow with Legal Aid

• “Navigating Resources and Services” presented by Emily Leclercq and Barbara Albert with OOAI

• “Modifying/Adapting Environments” presented by OOAI’s Aging In Place Program

• “Managing Medications” presented by Dr. Fariborz Zarfesham from ALFA Specialty Pharmacy

• “Protecting Vulnerable Adults” presented by Nicole Patterson and Beth Silverman with Howard County’s Department of Community Resources and Service

Track #2: Navigating the Waters

• “Effective Communication Strategies” presented by Yolanda Wright with Alzheimer’s Association of Maryland

• “Parkinson’s” presented by Arita McCoy with Johns Hopkins Parkinson ’s Disease and Movement Disorder Center

• “Behavioral Health” presented by Beverly Frances-Gibson with National Alliance on Mental Illness

• “LGBT Community” presented by Alex Kent with Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders

• “Nutrition Supporting Strength/Independence” presented by Judy Simon with Maryland Department of Aging

Track #3: Taking the Helm

• “Finalizing Legal Matters” presented by Blake Fetrow with Legal Aid

• “Coping with Changing Behaviors” presented by Kim Burton with Mental Health Association of MD

• “Changing the Perception of Palliative Care and Hospice” presented by Jessica Rowe with ElderCare Consulting LLC

• “Making Mindful Transitions through Grief” presented by Lisa Harvin with Gilchrist Hospice

• “Living the Moment through Art” presented by Carol Dana with Arts for Well-Being

The cost is $10 per ticket for a general caregiver and $40 a ticket for a professional caregiver; ticket price includes full access to conference workshops, promotional items, exhibitors, a continental breakfast and buffet lunch. For professional caregivers, this year’s conference also offers the opportunity to earn 3.5 Category 1 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) by the Board of Social Work Examiners of Maryland. Registration is required; to pre-register, visit www.caregiverjourney.eventbrite.com. Walk-ins are however welcome on a space available basis.

On-site respite care for individuals will be provided by OOAI’s Connections Social Day Program staff free of charge. However, registration is required; to register, call Earnestine Thomas at 410-313-5969 (voice/relay) by Friday, March 17.

An interpreter for people who are deaf or hard of hearing will be available if requested seven working days prior to the hearing. Please call the Department of Community Resources and Services at 410-313-6400 (voice) or use Relay (7-1-1) between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to request assistance.

For additional information and/or questions about the conference, contact Earnestine Thomas with OOAI at 410-313-5969 (voice/relay) or email ethomas@howardcountymd.gov. Up-to-date conference information is also available online at www.howardcountymd.gov/caregiver or on the County’s Department of Community Resources and Services Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HoCoCommunity.

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