AARP brings national caregiving expert to Jacksonville April 26

Jacksonville, Fla. – AARP is bringing a nationally known caregiving expert and author, Amy Goyer, to Jacksonville in late April to celebrate the contributions of caregivers juggling many family roles and to provide useful tips and tools for caregivers.

“Supporting caregivers is important to AARP members in Jacksonville and across the country,” said AARP’s Florida state director, Jeff Johnson, who grew up in Jacksonville.  “We’re delighted to support the Caregiving Expo 2014 in this way as part of our work year-round with caregivers in Jacksonville.”

As an expert on multigenerational and aging issues, Goyer is a frequent AARP contributor, popular speaker and author of the e-book Juggling Work and Caregiving.

Goyer will deliver the closing remarks at the Caregiver Expo 2014, to be held on from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 26 at the Herbert University Center at the University of North Florida, 12000 Alumni Drive, Jacksonville, FL, 32224. Admission is free.

The annual event, organized by the Caregiver Coalition of Northeast Florida, is a day devoted to showing caregivers some TLC.  The expo will feature community exhibitors, educational sessions, door prizes, free health screenings and fun activities to provide some relief and rejuvenation to caregivers.

Nearly one in 10 Floridians is a caregiver in some capacity.  In Jacksonville, Associate State Director Nancy Stanton and a team of dedicated volunteers are fighting on behalf of caregivers with advocacy, educational resources and all-around support.

Today, the role of a caregiver casts a wide net, affecting men and women of all generations and cultures. Working mothers clock out of work and into the role of full-time caregiver at home; while elsewhere, a grandfather takes care of his own father who battles dementia. All in all, a caregiver’s work is never done.  Often, there is little to no relief, and even less time to take care of oneself.

For more local resources on caregiving, call 1-877-333-5885 or visit www.aarp.org/Jacksonville .  Also, AARP has a broad range of caregiving resources available at www.aarp.org/caregiving .

For updates on how AARP is working on for you in Jacksonville, tune in each Tuesday morning to AARP’s “News You Can Use” on WCGL-AM 1360 at 8:30 a.m. Each week, AARP volunteer radio hosts Billie Holmes and Melvin Wooden, both of Jacksonville, share information on issues affecting African-Americans 50+.

To learn more about becoming an AARP volunteer in the Jacksonville area, please call (866) 595-7678 and ask to leave your contact information.  A Jacksonville volunteer or staffer will return your call as soon as possible to discuss your interest.