Knowledge is Power Aging with Dignity Symposium

 Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter was quoted: “There are only four kinds of people in the world. Those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers… and those who will need caregivers.”
The Age Tsunami, or as some call it, the Silver Tsunami, is firmly upon us!  If you have never, or are not currently caring for an aging loved one, chances are extremely high you know someone who is. In simple terms, a family caregiver is someone who is responsible for attending to the daily needs of another person. Family caregivers are responsible for the physical, emotional and often financial support of another person who is unable to care for him/herself due to aging, illness, injury or disability.  Often, people do not even identify themselves as a caregiver, but if any part of the aforementioned definition applies to you…you are indeed one of those special people.  Statistics have shown that if you put a dollar figure on unpaid family caregivers, it would exceed 47 BILLION dollars annually!
Many times that person feels they are on an island, alone, with no lifeline.  That is not the case! There are resources, support groups and help available, and this is the main purpose of the upcoming annual event put on by our Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center:  Knowledge is Power: Aging with Dignity Symposium. This year’s event is on Saturday, May 7, and being held at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital’s Education Center at 23845 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA  91355 from 9:30am to 1:30pm.  The Symposium will feature Keynote Speaker Elder Law Attorney Jane McNamara of the McNamara Law Firm, PC to discuss changes in the law affecting seniors in 2016.  In addition, there will be a panel discussion providing an array of topics faced by the family caregiver.  There will also be many vendor booths at the event featuring services and resources provided by local companies.  In the afternoon from 1:30pm to 3:30pm, there will be additional breakout sessions addressing areas of interest when caring for someone.
There is a $10 registration fee that includes all sessions, resource materials, access to vendors, continental breakfast and lunch.  Seating is limited, so for more information and to RSVP, please contact SuzAnn Nelsen, Director of Supportive Services at the SCV Senior Center, at 661-259-9444 or email at snelsen@scv-seniorcenter.org.
Myles McNamara, Certified Senior Advisor, is the owner of Comfort Keepers In-Home Care and can be reached at 661-287-4200.