Hawaii caregivers conference set for Nov. 1
Advertiser Staff
HONOLULU - AARP Hawaii and the Elderly Affairs Division of the City and County of Honolulu will present the Hawaii Caregiver's Conference: "Caring for Family, Caring for Yourself" from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1 at the Sheraton Waikiki.
The annual conference for family and professional caregivers features 20 breakout sessions designed to shed light on elder-care issues, help caregivers navigate the long-term care system, and ease the burden of care.
The conference features keynote presentations by Dr. Bill Thomas, founder of the Eden Alternative, and AARP National President Jennie Chin Hansen.
Family caregivers are the foundation of Hawaii's long-term care system, with the 'typical' caregiver described as a 54-year-old woman who provides more than 20 hours a week in unpaid care, according to a news release issued by the event organizers. According to a recent study by AARP's Public Policy Institute, Hawaii has more than 106,000 family caregivers by conservative estimate, and the economic value of the work they do amounts to a staggering $1.25 billion annually, according to the news release. Together, Hawaii's caregivers provide the majority of home and community based services to friends and family members of all ages with disabilities.
The Hawaii Caregiver's Conference aims to help caregivers with the many challenges they face-financial, emotional and physical. Studies show that many caregivers experience significant losses in personal income due to changes in work patterns, including lost wages, loss of health insurance and other job benefits, and lower retirement savings. A recent Urban Institute study found that caregiving reduces paid work hours for middle-aged women by 41 percent. In addition, caregivers are more likely than non-caregivers to have chronic health conditions, including depression.
Downloadable registration materials may be obtained at www.elderlyaffairs.com or call 768-7700 to receive them in the mail. The registration fee is $45 for family and volunteer caregivers and $60 for professionals.
