AARP brings CAREversations to central AR April 22-25

AARP's CAREversations returns to central Arkansas later this month, with events in Bryant, Conway and Cabot.

CAREversations is a free,  interactive, engaging family caregiving event that mixes fun with a purpose.

Developed using AARP’s Prepare to Care: A Planning  Guide for Families, the event is a 2-hour, lightly facilitated program that includes table conversations, complimentary snacks and beverages, mix and mingle, and information sharing.

Those attending also will have opportunities to:

• Connect with other family caregivers, in a safe and supportive environment;
•  Share tips and ideas;
• Learn how to build a caregiver support network; and
• Learn where to find local resources.

Each participant also will receive a copy of the Prepare to Care guide.

Events are scheduled on weekends and evenings to accommodate family caregivers who work weekdays. To register for any of the three events listed below,  call 1-800-278-1045 or RSVP online.

Space at each event will be limited, so please register early. Click on each location name for a Google Map. Each location will have complimentary on-site parking.

Saturday, April 22
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m
Home Plate Diner
Meeting Room
2615 Prickett Road #1
Bryant, AR 72022

Sunday, April 23
1-3 p.m.  or
4-6 p.m
Mike's Place
Mardi Gras Room
808 Front St.
Conway, AR 72032

Tuesday, April 25
6-8 p.m.
Cabot Public Library
Community Room
909 W. Main St.
Cabot, AR 72023

Family caregivers provide the majority of long-term care in the United States. About 452,000 family caregivers in Arkansas provide an estimated $4.7 billion in unpaid care each year, helping their loved ones with bathing and dressing, cooking meals, transportation, finances and complex medical tasks like wound care and injections.

AARP wants family caregivers to know they are not alone and that there are resources available. Programs like this help provide support but are also extremely uplifting at a time when many participants are dealing with one of the most stressful times in their lives.