Caregiver forum scheduled

Event to be held at UH TriPoint Medical Center in Concord Twp.

The Lake County Board of Senior Services will be hosting its Second Annual Caregiver Forum from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 5.

The forum, sponsored by Laketran and the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging, will be held at University Hospitals TriPoint Medical Center at 7950 Auburn Road in Concord Township.

“We are thrilled to bring the event back,” said Commissioner John Hamercheck. “It was very well received last year, and we’ve decided that this is something we’d like to continue to grow annually.”

The forum will include a keynote address, titled “Human First, Helper Second,” by trauma-informed care subject matter expert Katie Kurtz, along with lunch and learn sessions by Legal Aid and the Alzheimer’s Association.

The event is free, but registration is required, officials noted.

Caregivers of older adults interested in attending may register by visiting www.lakecountyohio.gov/senior-services/lake-county caregiver-forum.

In Ohio, in 2021, 1.46 million family caregivers provide unpaid care valued at $21 billion, marking a $4.2 million increase in unpaid contributions since 2019, according to the American Association of Retired Persons, which highlights the “growing scope and complexity” of family caregiving.

“We recognize the tremendous value of these caregivers and the vital role they play in Ohio’s health care system,” said Commissioner John Plecnik. “It’s important that they are aware of and able to access the services and support they need.”

Additionally, local agencies will be on-site at TriPoint to provide information on a variety of services and to answer questions.

“We want to continue to explore and address the needs of caregivers in Lake County,” said Commissioner Richard Regovich. “We encourage everyone to attend this important event and to share their needs and experiences.”

For more information on the Lake County Caregiver Forum, contact Senior Services Manager Alyea Barajas at 440350-2748.