Caregiver Expo2010 to be held in November in conjunction with National Family Caregiver Month

The Caregiver Expo2010, presented by Alternatives for Seniors, will be held 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, November 13, 2010 at the Doubletree Hotel, in Oak Brook, Illinois. The free event is being held in conjunction with the National Family Caregiver Month observed every November.  National Family Caregiver Month is a nationally recognized time to focus attention on the more than 65 million family caregivers who provide 80% of our nation's long term care services.  

Statistics taken from www.thefamilycaregiver.org ...

• Family Caregivers provide $375 billion worth of "free" caregiving services each year  
• Family Caregivers spend an average of 20 hours per week caring for their loved ones

Caregiver Expo2010 will feature informational seminars and exhibits pertinent to the growing number of family caregivers struggling with the challenges of caring for elderly patients, parents or loved ones.  The expo is not just for caregivers; seniors and healthcare professionals are encouraged to attend as well.  

"The goal of the expo is to provide attendees with the resources and tools they need to make educated, informed decisions and to understand what options are available to them," said Anita Kremer, president of Alternatives for Seniors. "Whether their needs are immediate or in the future, there will be something of interest and value for everyone." Area exhibitors represent associations, attorneys, senior housing and care, home care, insurance and other products and services of interest.

Confirmed seminars topics and speakers include:

• Hope, Health, Housing and Healing        

Honoring Family and Professional Caregivers

Maya Hennessey- National Family Caregivers

• Housing Overview

Robert A. Werdan, Vice President, Marketing and Sales

Presbyterian Homes

• Don't Go Broke in the Aging Process

Anthony B. Ferraro, Attorney, CPA  

Law offices of Anthony B. Ferraro

• Climbing the Mountain of Caregiving: Surviving and Thriving

Carol Cummings RN, Manager of Optimum Life and Wellness Programs

Brookdale Senior Living

• Understanding & Responding to People with Dementia

Chris Garnaat, Manager, Consumer & Corporate Education

Alzheimer's Association - Greater Illinois Chapter

• Learn the Three C's:  Care, Choices and Coordination

Donna Sierzega McNally, RN MSN, Vice President Integrated Services

Addus HealthCare, Inc.

Early event sponsors include National Family Caregivers Association, Chicagoland's Senior News - 50 and Better, Alzheimer's Association, Greek American Rehabilitation &Care Centre, K & B Financial, Inc. and Lexington Health Network.