AGE of Central Texas hosts free “Caregiver Training Camp” conference

AGE of Central Texas will host the free caregiver support conference “Caregiver Training Camp” on Saturday, February 5th. Designed to help first-time, unpaid family members effectively care for an older adult, the free conference sessions will be presented from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Williamson County EMS Training Center in Georgetown, and broadcast live simultaneously online.

The conference is a joint effort between regional non-profit organization AGE of Central Texas and the Williamson County EMS Community Health Paramedic program, which partnered last year to help reduce repeat calls and prevents falls with older adults in the rural areas of Williamson County.

AGE provides the Williamson County EMS Community Health Paramedic program with donated durable medical equipment to take on emergency calls – such as walkers, wheelchairs, and other mobility and safety devices – to be given to older adults who are at risk of falls or need assistive equipment to remain safe within their homes.

The conference has been an outgrown of the partnership to assist first-time caregivers – and in particular, those living in rural areas of Central Texas – to better manage the dynamics of their new caregiving role.

The “Caregiver Training Camp” will launch at 9:00 a.m. with the first session, “I’m a Caregiver, Now What?!”  CaregiverU Program Associate Mary Etuk will discuss useful information about what to do early on in the caregiving journey, the importance of self-care, and different options available for respite care.

In the second session at 10:30 a.m., Lina Supnet-Zapata – Executive Director and Managing Partner for MIR Care Consultants, Inc. – will address “Tackling Medical Issues,” discussing medication management, what to do in the event of an older adult’s hospitalization, and how to effectively provide home-based health care.

Following lunch, the third session at noon will discuss “Practical Tools for Dementia Caregiving” with Sarah Hyde-Williams, owner of Senior Living Advisors of Texas.

The final session at 1:00 p.m. will address “The Caregiver Playbook,” with Natalie Alcorta, AGE of Central Texas Resources & Information Center Director, discussing how to find and access area resources, creating a community of support, and answering attendees specific caregiving questions.

Registration for the conference is free, but space is limited. Participants can register by calling (512) 600-9275, or online at http://www.TinyURL.com/AGEcamp2022.

For more information on the programs and resources provided by AGE of Central Texas, visit www.AGEofCentralTX.org or call (512) 451-4611.