Caregivers to Learn that Holiday Preparation, Understanding and Fearless Caregiving at Seminar on Nov 6th

NORTH HAVEN, Conn. - Oct. 13, 2014 - 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 140^th Fearless Caregiver Conference seminar, expo and lunch on November 6^th in New Haven at The Toyota Oakdale Theater. The event is offered at no-charge for local family caregivers who register online at http://www.caregiver.com or who call 877-829-2734. The event is sponsored by the Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut and Today’s Caregiver magazine.

The annual New Haven Fearless Caregiver Conference is dedicated for 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.

Fearless Caregiver Tour History: More than 60,000 caregivers have attended a Fearless Caregiver Conferences since Today’s Caregiver magazine started this tour. “We are excited about returning to New Haven for the annual Fearless Caregiver Conference,” said Gary Barg, host of the Fearless Caregiver Conferences and editor-in-chief of Today’s Caregiver magazine.

“The latest stops in Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale were tremendous successes with hundreds of family and professional caregivers participating in full-day events where they received answers to their caregiving questions from physicians, spiritual leaders, and healthcare experts in topics such as  Alzheimer’s, MS, cancer, diabetes and Parkinson’s throughout the day,” Barg said.

“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 caregiver.com.

With the holidays, there is much confusion with the hustle and bustle of preparing for extra company, fixing special meals and playing the host while trying to enjoy the whole experience as well, Barg says. For a caregiver, this time can add a whole new set of strains to an already stressful situation.

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.

Fearless Caregiver Conference participants will learn:

•   What support is available for Connecticut’s family caregivers
•   Where the money is for caregivers
•   How to partner with their family members
•   How to ask questions of healthcare leaders in the area
•   How to get a loved one to stop driving
•   They are not alone

Who Should Attend?
•   Grandparent caregivers
•   Kinship Caregivers
•   Children of aging parents
•   Parents caring for children
•   Spousal caregivers
•   Long-distance caregivers
•   Pastoral caregivers
•   Volunteer caregivers
•   Professional caregivers
•   And anyone else seeking hands-on advice

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Call (800) 829-2734 for information and to reserve your space.

Registration includes lunch:  Limited free registrations are available for family caregivers online at http://www.Caregiver.com or by calling 877-829-2734. The Toyota Oakdale Theatre is located at 95 S Turnpike Road in Wallingford.

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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 Leeza Gibbons, Clay Walker, Kathy Greenlee, Debbie Reynolds, Dixie Carter, Della Reese, Linda Dano, Robert Urich and Clay Aiken. The digital version of the magazine is available free of charge at Caregiver.com.