Camden County Hosts Free Caring for Aging Loved Ones Conference

Camden County is hosting a free Caring for Aging Loved Ones Conference on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 5:30 p.m. at the Camden County Boathouse at Cooper River Park, 7050 North Park Drive in Pennsauken.

The Camden County Division of Senior and Disabled Services has seen a rise in demand for information related to caring for a loved one as more people have taken on the responsibility. In fact, though there is now usually a waiting list for events such as this one, the county did not even hold this conference a decade ago. It’s now in its 13th year.

Those attending the conference will have access to a team of experts with answers on providing home and respite care, housing options, health insurance counseling and a broad spectrum of legal issues.

Attendees can speak directly with experts from Senior and Disabled Citizen Services, Camden County Surrogate’s Court, Board of Social Services, Rowan University, Senior Citizens United Community Services (SCUCS) and an elder law attorney.

“This is one of the toughest challenges families will face, especially for Baby Boomers and the elderly parents who depend on them,” Camden County Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services, said. “One of the key issues covered in the seminar includes the appropriate management of personal assets for both caregivers and aging parents as they progress through their 70’s 80’s and, increasingly, beyond.”

Rodriguez added that many people may not even realize they are a caregiver.

The term “caregiver” might make one think of a 24/7 duty providing health care needs for a family member, but that isn’t always the case, Rodriguez said. A caregiver could be someone who makes meals for their parents, picks up scripts, and does grocery shopping or cleaning.

“Of course, there are also more involved aspects of caregiving that include managing finances, along with issues such as power of attorney and wills,” Rodriguez said. “I think we’re all caregivers when we get to a certain age.”