Celebrating the Caregiver, senior informational fair, Oct. 5

“I don’t want to be a burden to my family,” is the most common phrase Community Liaison for Quail Park Kimberly Jensen hears.

For nearly eight years Jensen has worked with Quail Park retirement village in Visalia that provides independent or assisted living and memory care.

“Quail Park on Cypress and Memory Care, recognizes that many families in Tulare County don’t always have the information necessary to make decisions for their loved ones,” said Jensen. That’s why Jensen recommends that caregivers attend the Celebrating the Caregiver event on October 5th from 8-12 at the Gateway Church in Visalia.

“My job is to go into our community and find solutions to problems by gathering information needed and helping families connect the dots easier. I encourage seniors or their families to get information together before there is a crisis, so they have the tools to handle whatever may come their way. If seniors get this information together ahead of time, it is the greatest gift they can give their children.”

Jensen provides everyone, whether they can afford Quail Park or not, vital information necessary for those decisions.

“I encourage seniors to take charge of their life and be prepared for whatever comes their way,” said Jensen. She feels that being pro-active instead of reactive makes an unexpected transition easier to deal with.

A majority of seniors do not have families that live close by to help on a daily basis. Often time, seniors live in their homes alone for too long. Isolation and depression are prevalent in these individuals and a simple fall can lead to hours before discovery.

Statistics show that 36% of the time, caregivers die before the person they are caring for. Stroke, heart attack, stress and poor nutrition are just some of the reasons. The caregiver puts so much focus on their charge they neglect their own health.

Celebrating the Caregiver will address the ways to alleviate the strain on caregivers.

“This is a free opportunity to hear about the most important issues regarding seniors and fill your ‘Senior Toolbox’ up with information for both yourself and your family.”

Auspice In Home Care will be providing caregivers respite with free on-site services during the event for their loved one.

Six professional speakers will be discussing topics such as Dementia Training, Supporting the Caregiver, Medicare 101, Getting POA, Trusts and Wills in order, How to pay for senior care and lastly, staying safe from elder scams.

“Many people in our community believe that insurance will pay for assisted living, when in fact, it is all private pay,” states Jensen. “Fees for assisted living services can range from $1800 a month and upward. Each Assisted Living is very different from the other and it is important to tour these communities ahead of time while you are not in a rush to make a decision.”

Registering for the courses is essential to attend. There are only a certain amount of seats in each classroom, so register soon to reserve yours.

Celebrating the Caregiver, October 5, 2018, 8am-12pm, GateWay Church, 1100 S. Sowell St., Visalia. Contact Kimberly Jensen at 559-737-7443 for any questions.

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