Maitland Caregiver Conference Teaches to Shout I’m A Fearless Caregiver: Don’t Mess With Me!

ORLANDO, Fla. & MAITLAND, Fla. - Nov. 10, 2015 - PRLog -- Today’s Caregiver magazine (www.Caregiver.com), since 1995, the nation’s leading support, training and educational organization for family and professional caregivers is hosting the 161^st Fearless Caregiver Conference seminar, expo and lunch on November 18^th at The Holy Trinity Reception & Conference Center on November 18^th in Maitland. The event is offered at no charge for local family caregivers who register online at http://www.caregiver.com or by calling 877-829-2734.

The Orlando Area Fearless Caregiver Conference http://www.caregiver.com is dedicated to family and professional caregivers who are seeking to speak directly with aging and disability experts, caregiver advocates, insurance advisors, Social Security specialists, elder law professionals, homecare and facility coordinators and support organizations.

“This is actually a great time to be solidifying your plans for the holiday season with as much calm and preparation as possible,” says Gary Edward Barg, the founder and editor-in-chief of Today's Caregiver magazine and http://www.caregiver.com. “Our statement to family caregivers is most important during the holidays: 'I am a Fearless Caregiver, Don’t mess with me.'"

Barg offers some tips for making the holidays enjoyable and less stressful for all:

1.) Try to include your loved one in some holiday preparations. Give him or her something to do that is within their abilities and that will make them feel useful. Occupying their time will help you get other things done as well.

2.) Maintain a sense of familiarity. Go easy on the decorations, and don’t move too much furniture to accommodate trees or other objects. Changing familiar surroundings can lead to confusion, especially for someone with memory problems, physical impairment, or other handicap. Extra cords, fragile decorations, and piles of gifts can be hazards to those with limited mobility.

3.) With all of the holiday hubbub, your loved one could become confused and agitated. Try to limit the number of guests in your home at one time, and make sure that someone is always aware of the whereabouts of your loved one. If he or she tends to wander, there is a chance that this may happen when everyone thinks someone else is on watch.

4.) Ask for help! Don’t try to take on all of the burdens of caring for your loved one and preparing for the holidays. Something as simple as asking a neighbor or other relative to stay with your loved one for a few hours while you get some shopping done can make all the difference between a calm and a stressed-out holiday.

5.) Most importantly, take time for yourself. Spend an hour in a bubble bath, read a book, play in the snow. Do something that you enjoy, and have fun. The holidays are about fun and enjoyment, so make sure that you have some of both.

Caregiving is a daunting challenge, Barg says. Caregivers may have unusually high expectations during holidays and special occasions. Knowing that this might be a last birthday, anniversary, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc., caregivers may feel enormous pressure to make this time especially significant. But keeping your level of expectations realistic will make the day go smoother for you, your loved one, extended family and friends.

Registration includes lunch. Limited free registrations are available for family caregivers online at http://www.Caregiver.com or by calling 877-829-2734.

Established in 1995, Caregiver Media Group, http://www.Caregiver.com, has become the recognized media authority on caregiving through Today’s Caregiver magazine, Caregiver.com, the Fearless Caregiver Conferences, the award winning book - The Fearless Caregiver: How to Get the Best Care for Your Loved One and Still Have a Life of Your Own, as well as Caregiver Media Group's award winning content and custom publications.

Today’s Caregiver magazine contains cover interviews with celebrity caregivers, articles on caregiving issues and vital resources for all caregivers. Cover interviews have included Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, Rob Lowe, Clay Walker, Elizabeth Dole, Debbie Reynolds, Della Reese, Nancy Snyderman, and Clay Aiken. The digital version of the magazine is available free of charge at Caregiver.com.