AAA1B



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Jenny Jarvis, AAA 1-B

(248) 262-9202; jjarvis@

Kathleen Yanik, AAA 1-B

(248) 262-9980; kyanik@

Family Caregivers Face Physical and Emotional Stress

Area Agency on Aging 1-B hosts free “Solutions for Family Caregivers Expo” in Novi on Saturday, October 17 for people caring for aging and disabled family members

Southfield, Mich. (September 14, 2015) – Taking care of a loved one at home is not easy and the numbers providing that support are growing. A recent national study* indicates that an estimated 34.2 million adults in the United States have provided unpaid care to an adult over age 50 in the past year. A large majority provide care for a relative with most caring for a parent or parent-in-law and 10% are caring for a spouse. Nearly 1 in 10 caregivers is 75 years of age or older. While family caregivers believe their role has given them more meaning in life, a majority often feel alone, exhausted, frustrated and overwhelmed. Many do not know where to turn for help and support.

To meet this need the Area Agency on Aging 1-B, a local nonprofit organization, is hosting Michigan’s premier educational event for family caregivers on Saturday, October 17, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Suburban Collection Showplace located at 46100 Grand River Avenue in Novi. The 16th Annual Solutions for Family Caregiver Expo is free and provides support and access to information, resources and services for people who care for elderly or disabled adult family members or friends.

This year’s Expo features 12 expert presentations on new and popular topics to help family members caring for their older or disabled loved one. More than 100 exhibitors will be on site displaying and demonstrating products and services for caregivers. The AAA 1-B’s certified Resource Specialists and trained Medicare and Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) counselors will be available all day at the “Ask The Resource Specialist” booth answering questions on Medicare, Medicaid, transportation options, in home services, and providing access to local resources.

“Family caregivers are often not prepared for the role of caregiving and are not aware of services and resources that may be available in the community to help them care for an older or disabled loved one. Being a caregiver can impact emotional, financial and physical health and wellbeing,” said Tina Abbate Marzolf, chief executive officer, AAA 1-B. “Our event was created to connect caregivers to information and resources to improve their quality of life, as well as the life of the person they care for.”

Caring for someone with a chronic disease, dementia or a physical disability can be rewarding, as well as stressful and overwhelming for the caregiver and their family members. Duties often include preparing meals, arranging and driving to doctor appointments, housekeeping, doing laundry, helping with bathing and personal care, managing finances, assisting with legal planning and insuring that prescription medications are filled and taken appropriately. All caregivers – from those who provide minimal support to those who are heavily invested in time, money and energy – will benefit from attending the free 2015 Solutions for Family Caregivers Expo.

Respite Care Provided On-Site

Caregivers who cannot leave the person they care for at home alone to attend the Caregiver Expo are encouraged to register their loved one in “Respite Care at the Expo,” a free service provided onsite at the Suburban Collection Showplace during the event. Caregivers can leave their loved one in the caring hands of qualified professionals, where they will enjoy refreshments and participate in engaging activities such as singing, games, crafts, and social interaction.

Due to limited space, reservations for “Respite Care at the Expo” must be made by October 9, 2015. Respite care is strictly for adults. For more information or to make a reservation, caregivers can visit or contact the AAA 1-B at 1-800-852-7795.

Guests of the Caregiver Expo will enjoy morning refreshments. Snacks will be available in the afternoon on a cash and carry basis. Caregivers will also have the chance to win door prizes and giveaways. Parking and admission are free.

The Caregiver Expo is sponsored by: Health Alliance Plan (HAP); AAA – The Auto Club Group; The Elder Care Firm of Christopher J. Berry CELA; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan; American House Senior Living Communities; AmeriHealth Caritas VIP Care Plus; Beacon Square, Guardian Medical Monitoring; Presbyterian Villages of Michigan; Walgreens and SameAddress. Alternatives for Seniors and The Observer & Eccentric are media sponsors.

Refreshments are sponsored by Jim Schuster, Certified Elder Law Attorney; Evangelical Homes of Michigan, SMART; and Trinity Senior Living Communities. Respite Care at the Expo is provided by the Alzheimer’s Association—Greater Michigan Chapter and Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers. It is sponsored by DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital, Personal Touch Home Health Care Services, Inc., Priority Health, Visiting Angels and Waltonwood Senior Living.

For more information on the Area Agency on Aging 1-B or the free 2015 Solutions for Family Caregivers Expo, visit or call 1-800-852-7795.

About the Area Agency on Aging 1-B

The Area Agency on Aging 1-B is a nonprofit agency responsible for services to more than 620,000 persons age 60 and older residing in Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw counties. Through the provision of home care and community-based services, older adults are provided with options that can help maintain their health and independence in their homes and communities.

The national Older Americans Act created a network of local Area Agencies on Aging across the United States to provide supportive services that enable older adults to live with independence and dignity in a setting of their choice. The AAA 1-B, established in 1974, is a part of the national Area Agency on Aging network.

*Caregiving in the U.S. 2015 Research Report conducted by AARP Public Policy Institute and the National Alliance for Caregiving.

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Editor’s Note:

The free 2015 Solutions for Family Caregivers Expo is open to the media. If you would like to arrange an interview with a presenter, sponsors, exhibitor or a representative from AAA 1-B regarding the expo, please contact Jenny Jarvis at (248) 262-9202.

More details, including the full presentation schedule, can be found at

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