Forum To Help Caregivers at Watauga Medical Center October 21

Story by Bernadette Cahill

Women are 74 percent of those that the Project on Aging currently helps and the typical caregiver is a woman, said Angie Boitnotte of the Watauga County Project on Aging. Boitnotte encourages anyone giving care to an adult over 18 years of age to attend the upcoming Community Resource Forum for caregivers at Watauga Medical Center on October 21.

Approximately 46 million Americans—22 percent of the population—are currently providing an adult relative or friend with home care, according to a 2005 study from the Opinion Research Corporation, and more and more American adults will soon become caregivers for loved ones who are disabled, frail or suffering from a chronic condition, especially as Baby Boomers age.

In spite of the availability of such national statistics, accurate numbers are not readily available in smaller communities, such as the High Country, and records of the people actually doing the work are also incomplete.

If a caregiver hasn’t contacted local community resource groups for help, their situation may not be known, said Angie Boitnotte of Watauga County’s Project on Aging. There may be many individuals in the community struggling to giving loving home care—and think they are all alone. But local government, volunteer groups, churches and professionals all have help they can call on.

Boitnotte is vice-chair of a committee trying to get this message out: making contact with help will be one benefit for those who register for the upcoming Community Resource Forum on Wednesday, October 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Watauga Medical Center. The event is free, with breakfast and lunch provided. Pre-registration is required and services are available to cover caregivers while they attend.

The forum covers other important topics such as diet and nutrition, taking care of caregivers, Alzheimer’s disease and stress and recognizing the dangers and signs of abuse.

Speakers include Watauga County Sheriff’s Office Captain Dee Dee Rominger who will address fraud prevention, whether by strangers or by family members; Carole Spainhour, who will deal with estate planning and the law relating to the elderly; and Dr. Ed Rosenberg, who will talk about the role of humor in caregiving.

The forum is for all caregivers, whether at-home, professionals or faith and community volunteers, who serve disabled and elderly adults. The forum aims to: help them identify and understand the emotional, physical and psychological stresses that can affect them; help them recognize and report fraud; and help them prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation.

More women than men will require in-home caregiving—74 percent of those that the Project on Aging currently helps are women, said Boitnotte, adding that while it doesn’t apply across the board, the typical caregiver is a woman. She said that any caregiver helping anyone over age 18 who is disabled will benefit from the forum.

“We are not targeting any specific age group [for the forum],” said Boitnotte. “It is for [caregivers] of disabled adults, whether 40 or 95.

“[Having to take care of an adult] could happen to any of us,” she said. “If you have parents, it’s going to happen to you.”

For more information or to register, call Kedith England at 828-265-8100. If a caregiver requires cover while attending the forum, enquire when registering.

Quick Stats

66: percent of the population believe they will need to provide someone with care in the future.
56: percent of caregivers are women, the majority over the age of 45.
27: percent of caregivers between 45 and 54
29: percent of caregivers between 55 and 64
23: percent of caregivers 65 and older
37: percent caring for aged parents

Source: Opinion Research Corporation, 2005, www.strengthforcaring.com/util/press/facts/facts-at-a-glance.html

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