Home & Family

By Tim Poor

Caregivers Together, a local support group in Carthage, meets monthly to offer family caregivers in the area an opportunity to share stories with others facing the same challenges. Founded by AARP volunteer Jinny Hopp, the group also shares tips on how to balance your own life and work with the tasks required to meet an aging loved one’s needs.

The devastating natural disasters that have made national news this year serve as a reminder to people of all ages that we must take action to prepare for emergencies that could affect us where we live, work or visit.

At a time when our country is extremely polarized, family caregiving is a rare issue that unites us. It isn’t a Democratic issue or a Republican issue. It’s a family issue that affects us all. If you’re not a caregiver now, you will be one or will need one in the future.

AARP Missouri is sponsoring a conference called Family Caregiving: An Act of Love in Piedmont on June 15. The event aims to connect family caregivers with helpful community resources and give them an opportunity to meet and talk with other caregivers.

Do you want to help your parents make their home safer for them as they age? AARP has resources to help with this very thing and will be at the Builders Home and Remodeling Show at the St. Charles Convention Center this month.

The AARP St. Louis booth at the St Louis Home & Garden show was a hit! We had over 2200 people visit our booth over the four days of the show despite the snowy weather on Saturday and Sunday! Visitors were treated to an oven stick, a jar opener and the amazing newly revised AARP Home Fit Guide. They were also treated to home modification information and demonstrations by Rebuilding Together – St. Louis.

If you’re in need of information about depression and/or anxiety in children and adolescents, there is a resource for you!

Trinity United Methodist Church in Piedmont was the site of the “Brain Power: Use It or Lose It!” seminar that focused on memory loss, research, early detection, and how to get a proper Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Participants were involved in activities that stimulated the brain through exercise, health eating, and music.