Griffin Hospital in Derby to host series of talks on caregiving

Griffin Hospital and The Valley Senior Services Council will host a series of four talks on caregiving this spring./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital’s Healthy U program and The Valley Senior Services Council will host a series of four talks on caregiving this spring.

The series will focus on caregivers for seniors, especially those of “the sandwich generation,” who are caring for a senior loved one while still managing work and care of their children; however the series will share information and resources beneficial to anyone caring for another person.

A light dinner sponsored by Valley Senior Services Council and their Valley United Way Special Needs Grant and Griffin Hospital Lifeline will be provided at 4:30 p.m. before each talk. 

There will be free raffles and VSSC members representing various area home care and senior living services will be available to share resources and to speak individually with attendees. 
Participants are invited to bring their loved one for whom they provide care.

The series starts with “Care for the Caregiver” at 5:30 p.m. March 23. Dr. Beverley Kidder, director of Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut and author of “The Gift of Caregiving,” will share her caregiving experience and tips for dealing with the stress of caregiving. 

Laura Murphy, Planetree Services supervisor at Griffin Hospital, will discuss and demonstrate the therapeutic benefits of complementary healing methods including guided imagery, meditation, and aromatherapy. 
Information on area caregiver support resources will also be available.

AT 5:30 p.m. April 20 Dawnmarie Hunter, of Visiting Nurse Association of South Central CT, and Kim Vertrees, Community Liaison with Connecticut In-Home Assistance homecare, will present “Keeping Your Loved One Independent and Safe,” explaining the difference between medical and non-medical home care - what are the differences; when and why you need it; how to search for it; and how to pay for it. 

A Griffin Hospital physical therapist also will discuss fall safety and demonstrate exercises for balance and core strengthening. Tara Kelly, of Griffin Hospital Lifeline, will present information on home safety and preventing avoidable fall injuries.

“The Caregiver’s Toolbox” May 18 will feature a presentation by Maria Tomasetti, of The Alzheimer’s Association, on care methods for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, including communication strategies and helpful activities. Griffin Hospital Community Outreach will present a “toolbox” of resources for caregivers to help a loved one manage their disease and gain control of their health.

The series wraps up at 5:30 p.m. June 8 with a variety of presentations on caregiving from area resources, including Wesley Village UMH, Sunset Shores, Griffin Hospital Lifeline, Alzheimer’s Association, TEAM, Valley Transit District, and Agency on Aging. 
The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A.

Space is limited; registration is required. Call 203-732-1511 or register online at the Griffin Hospital events calendar at griffinhealth.org.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.