Conference to help those caring for family
EDMOND — As life spans lengthen and children leave home later in life, many baby boomers and members of Generation X have become “sandwiched” between caring for both their parents and their children, while continuing to juggle professional, social and personal demands.
The Sandwich Generation 2017 Conference, hosted by University of Central Oklahoma Customized Education, offers this group an opportunity to connect to helpful resources Oct. 25 in Nigh University Center at UCO. Attendees will learn more about available resources, relevant information and personal care advice to help them better manage the competing challenges and achieve a worklife balance.
“Being ‘sandwiched’ between caring for your children and your parents isn’t something you necessarily plan for, but you need to, and this conference can help you do that — whether you are already there or might see it coming on the horizon,” said Karen Youngblood, executive director for Customized Education.
Conference topics include financial management, health care, emotional management, elder advocacy, caregiving and insurance and legal issues. The conference also will feature a resource exhibitor showcase, as well as networking opportunities, keynote speakers and expert panelists.
Keynote speaker Amy Goyer, a writer, speaker, caregiving consultant and author, will address attendees on “Juggling Life, Work and Caregiving.”
The conference’s second keynote speaker, Bruce McIntyre, serves as the executive director of the Parkinson Foundation of Oklahoma and has led the Caregiver Fundamentals Project in Oklahoma City. His talk, “Thrive Anyway,” mirrors his book, “Thrive Anyway, Parkinson Positive and Graceful Transitions,” in which he describes caring for his wife for the past 12 years and delves into the world of chronic illness and caregiving.
Registration for the conference is $39 until Friday, and $57 beginning Saturday.
To register for the conference or for more information, go to ce.uco.edu/sandwich-generation or contact UCO’s Customized Education at 974-3030 or ce@uco.edu.