The Montana Lifespan Respite Coalition and the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) are hosting a Lifespan Respite Summit May 12-14 at the Red Lion Colonial Inn in Helena from 1:45 to 5 p.m.
The event is being held in conjunction with the 47th Annual Governor’s Conference on Aging.
Keynote speaker Jill Kagan of Virginia, Program Director of ARCH Lifespan Respite Network and Resource Center, will kick off the Summit on Tuesday, May 12 at 1:45 p.m.
Kagan’s presentation, Lifespan Respite Lifts All Boats, will explore best practices, discuss how to engage collaborative partners, and look to future possibilities and innovations in sustaining respite services in economically challenging times. She will also address the pressing needs of family caregivers of individuals with dementia, including Alzheimer’s.
Following Kagan’s address, attendees will then receive an overview of the grant, and participate in a roundtable discussion. The respite track will continue with educational sessions offered on the 13th and 14th, including: Powerful Tools for Caregivers, How Stress Effects the Caregiver’s Brain, Disability Etiquette, Finding Humor in Caregiving, and an overview of the family caregiver respite funding application process.
“The need for respite for family caregivers is growing with the aging of the baby boom generation and increasing movement toward home and community based services,” said Kerrie Reidelbach of the DPHHS Office on Aging. “At the same time, quality respite options are in short supply for all family caregivers, regardless of the age or disability of the person in care.”
The goal of the Summit is to address needs such as caregiver education, public awareness and better access to respite for Montana caregivers, Reidelbach added.
There is no cost for the Summit.
To register for the Summit, go to http://www.respite.mt.gov. For more information, contact Kerrie Reidelbach, Aging Services at [email protected] or 406-444-0998.
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