Darien Library kicks off a year-long initiative to provide respite and community support to caregivers of adult residents who are aging-in-place with a keynote event. The “Caring for the Caregivers” discussion on Tuesday, September 17 at 7 p.m. will feature three panelists and moderator Gina Blum of At Home in Darien.
The panel will discuss the stresses placed upon caregivers, for those currently experiencing this transition, or anticipating it in the future. Attendees will learn how to take care of themselves, have opportunities to ask questions of the panelists, and learn about local resources to help you self-care while you support your loved ones.
The panelists are Shanon Jordan (Connecticut Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association), Ali Ramsteck (Darien Human Services), and Richard “Dick” Helstein (Darien resident).
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, in 2018 the 16.2 million family and other unpaid caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias provided an estimated 18.5 billion hours of unpaid care. This number represents an average of 21.9 hours of care per caregiver per week, or 1,139 hours of care per caregiver per year. Eighty-three percent of the help provided to older adults in the United States comes from family members, friends, or other unpaid caregivers.
This panel is the start of a year-long series of events designed for caregivers of adults aging in place. For more information, visit darienlibrary.org/caregiver-cafe.
Citation for the Alzheimer’s quotes: Alzheimer's Association. 2019 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures. 2019, www.alz.org/media/Documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures-2019-r.pdf.
About the Panelists
Shanon Jordan is the Southwestern Regional Director at the (Connecticut Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association). She is a licensed Social Worker with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Southern Connecticut State University as well as a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University. Throughout her career, Shanon has had the privilege of serving many diverse populations but her true passion lies in advocacy for and the care of our aging population. With almost 20 years’ experience in providing social services in long term care, Shanon has seen firsthand the devastating effects that Alzheimer’s disease has on its victims and caregivers and she shares in the vision of the Alzheimer’s Association of a world without Alzheimer’s disease.
Richard Helstein is currently President of Creative Focus, A Marketing and Advertising Consulting Firm; as well as having served as an Adjunct Professor of Marketing at the Darden Graduate Business School, University of Virginia. Sue, his wife of 50 years, was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease 6 years ago. Dick became Sue’s primary caregiver for 4 ½ years until she was admitted to Maplewood at Darien, a Memory Care Residence. He is currently the Caregiver Facilitator to the Giving Alzheimer’s Purpose (GAP) Support Group, working with Shanon Jordan. He has also been working with the Alzheimer’s Association of CT, appearing on various television and radio shows discussing the role of caregivers today.
Gina Z. Blum is Executive Director of At Home In Darien. She enjoys helping senior citizens age in place and stay connected to the community. Gina has also served as Assistant to the Director of the Stamford Senior Center, Coordinator of the Collaborative Alliance of Fairfield County, President of the Junior League of Stamford-Norwalk, and Chairman of the Fairfield County Women’s Center at Norwalk Community College. Gina graduated from Trinity College in Hartford. Her husband, children, and dog keep her busy but she enjoys finding time to volunteer, and to play tennis and paddle.