Home Safety for the Holidays
Seminar for Caregivers
The second annual home safety seminar gives family caregivers the tools they need to keep loved ones safe during this holiday season.
11.22.06
Brandon, FL – The Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute in partnership with the Hillsborough County Department of Aging Services and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office are hosting the second annual home safety seminar for caregivers.
The seminar will take place Saturday, Dec. 2 at the Brandon Senior Center (612 N Parsons Avenue) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Respite daycare will be provided for loved ones during the workshop.
“The holiday season can present many challenges for caregivers and their loved ones,” says Melanie Meyer, chief of external affairs, Byrd Institute. “The home safety seminar is designed to address safety hazards in the home and prepare caregivers to identify potential problems and keep their loved ones safe during the holiday season.”
Special guest speaker Dr. Ann Louise Barrick, a Clinical Professor at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Department of Psychology and Director of Psychology at John Umstead Hospital will be on hand to talk about the difficulty of bathing persons with dementia. Barrick has helped produce two training films on methods for bathing. The training video will be a part of the seminar.
Nancy Teten, a clinical social worker from the Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute, and representatives from the Department of Aging Services, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office will discuss tips on keeping the home safe and caring for loved ones with disabilities and other challenges including Alzheimer’s and Dementia during the holidays.
“The holidays bring many people together in the home and although it is a very exciting time of year, it alters the day-to-day routines of the elderly and that can stir feelings of anxiety and confusion,” adds Mary-Jo McKay, senior adult daycare manager, Hillsborough County Dept. of Aging Services. It is extremely important to have a holiday safety plan for loved ones that will allow caregivers and their family to celebrate the holidays without worrying about the safety of those members of the family that face challenges.”
The Home Safety for the Holidays Seminar is a great way to get tips and answers to questions about safety and how to handle caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s and other challenges. In addition to the noted guest speakers, there will be give-aways, drawings, and food.
What: Home Safety for the Holidays Seminar
Where: Brandon Senior Center, 612 N Parsons Avenue, Brandon, FL
When: Saturday, Dec. 2, 2006, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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