Caring For The Elderly: These Programs Offer Advice

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Caring for an elderly family member can feel overwhelming at any time but especially during the coronavirus pandemic.

Hillsborough County Adult Day Services can help.

Adult Day Services is celebrating November’s National Family Caregivers Month and is providing virtual programs through Nov. 20 to assist caregivers with information and guidance on caring for an aging parent or loved one who has lost some independence because of physical or cognitive impairments or chronic health conditions.

The educational and informative programs are also designed to help the caregiver find ways to care for themselves and to connect with a support group.

Experts and community partners will present tailored programs and answer questions from registered participants.

The dates and times for the sessions are:

• 2 to 3 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. Nov. 17 - Connections The Tampa Museum of Art will present a free mental health care community art engagement program designed for seniors with cognitive impairment and their caregivers.
• 10 a.m. Nov. 18 - Self-Care through Yoga and Meditation Maryam Bakht, Hillsborough County Well4Life yoga instructor, will teach beginning yoga poses and meditation techniques for relaxation and calmness.
• 3 p.m. Nov. 19 - Cooking Demonstration Brian Taylor, Hillsborough County Aging Services’ registered dietician, will share his tips to create nutritious and delicious meals.
• 1 p.m. Nov. 20 - Ask the Doctor: A One Hour Question-and-Answer Session Dr. Jean Fils, University of South Florida Memory Disorder Clinic director, will answer questions from caregivers about Alzheimer’s and dementia-related disorder.
• 3 p.m. Nov. 20 - Making a Gratitude List Debbie Selsavage, Coping with Dementia founder, will discuss the importance of gratitude.

Contact Aging Services at 813-272-5250 or HCFLGov.net/Caregiving to register.