United Way of Northern New Jersey Caregivers Coalition plans to hold a Caregivers Conference on Sat., Sept. 10, providing area caregivers with access to information and resources critical to their role of caring for a loved one.
 
Held at Warren County Community College from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., the free conference will provide presentations and resources to help unpaid caregivers who assist loved ones of any age who are ill, frail or living with a disability or mental illness. Complimentary breakfast and lunch will be provided.
 
The conference will explore topics that provide family caregivers with valuable information from local experts and connections to local resources.
 
“With an estimated 43.5 million Americans serving as unpaid caregivers, the need is great and will only continue to grow,” said Robin Ennis, United Way Caregivers Coalition Manager in Warren County. “United Way is dedicated to addressing this issue within our communities by providing caregivers with the critical supports and resources they need on their caregiving journey.”
 
The Warren conference includes the following three workshops:
Empowering Caregivers of Loved Ones with Disabilities presented by Lorraine D’Sylva-Lee, a training and consultation specialist with Rutgers-University Behavioral Health Care, Behavioral Research & Training Institute.

Debunking Hospice Myths presented by Cecelia Clayton, executive director, Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice. Caregiving Across the Lifespan Panel. Experts will discuss common issues faced when caring for loved ones who are aging or have disabilities or mental illness.  
 
The coalition brings together caregivers, medical professionals, social service agencies, businesses, and other community groups to support unpaid caregivers.
 
Caregivers are the family members and friends who help their loved ones with a range of tasks from paying bills or driving to doctors, to personal care such as bathing and dressing, to medical care such as administering medication.
 
Conference space is limited. Register by Sept. 2 by visiting www.UnitedWayNNJ.org/CaregiversConferences. For more information, email Robin.Ennis@UnitedWayNNJ.org or call 973.993.1160, x 305.
 
United Way of Northern New Jersey is a nonprofit organization working to improve people’s lives and strengthen communities by focusing on Education, Income, and Health.