Chances are most everyone will be a caregiver at least once in their lifetime, whether it be for a child, a spouse, or their parents. With an aging population, many will take on the role of caregiver within the next two decades. Knowing where to start or even finding the strength with which to ask for assistance is beyond some caregivers.
With multiple demands of working, running a household, and often managing their own family unit, caregivers quietly slip into the role without much knowledge about the various types of help and resources that are available. As they give up their lives, they often find themselves frustrated, exhausted, and overwhelmed.
On Saturday morning (Jan. 15), a special conference, “Nurturing the Nurturer,” will be held at the YWCA Princeton, located at 59 Paul Robeson Place. It’s free and it’s open to everyone. Registration starts at 9 a.m. The program kicks off at 9:30 and ends at noon.
The event is the collaboration of a number of community organizations including Bon Appétit, Trinity Counseling Service, Princeton Senior Resource Center, YWCA Princeton, and Wisdom & Beyond, LLC. They are partnering to educate participants about local organizations and resources, to enable caregivers to connect with one another, and to provide a forum for caregivers regarding critical issues.
Participants will have a chance to win door prizes and gift certificates from many area merchants including Hamilton Jewelers, Tuscan Hills Furniture and Accessories, Spruce Florists, Amy Karyn Interior Designs, Princeton Nails, Princeton Holistic Clinic, Rocky Hill Inn, Princeton Center for Yoga & Health, Chamber’s Walk, Lisa’s Body Care Products, and Viburnum Designs.
The conference will feature mental health experts who will discuss how to flourish while still being an effective caregiver. There will be five breakout sessions participants can attend. The sessions will cover children, spousal, and parental caregiving, and insights from a male caregiver. Also, experts will share legal and financial information caregivers should know.
Throughout the day, participants will better understand how to create joy, laughter, and empowerment while caring for a loved one. They will discover how to partner, set boundaries, set roadmaps returning to a healthy life and thriving.
A number of area professionals from various organizations are donating their time to lead breakout sessions and provide useful tips, contacts, and resources available to local caregivers. Local author and radio talk show host Teena Cahill, Psy.D., of Wisdom & Beyond, LLC will be the keynote speaker, discussing “Changing the Model: From Care Giving to Care Partners.”
Leading the breakout sessions are local health and community resource experts Dr. Valerie Brooks Klein, Ph.D.’ Sharon Press, Ph.D.; Wendy Matthews, Ph.D.; Eileen Kennedy Moore, Ph.D.; Susan Hoskins, MSW; Judith Hutton, CEO; Mia Cahill, J.D. and Ph.D.; Elizabeth Smith, J.D .and MSW; Douglas Zeigler, CPA; Caryn Kennelly, Psy.D., and the Rev. Peter Stimpson, MSW.
For more information, visit www.ywcaprinceton.org or call Debra Raines at 609-497-2100, ext. 307.

