AMERICUS, GA (WTVM) -
For a quarter-century, the Rosalynn Carter Institute for
Caregiving (RCI) has promoted the mental health and well-being of individuals,
families and professional caregivers.
The RCI's annual Summit and Training Institute is scheduled
for Oct. 24 and 25 at its home on Georgia Southwestern State University's (GSW)
campus. This year's theme is "Enabling Caregiving Communities Across the
Lifespan."
"The needs of
caregivers are a growing global concern, and we must enable caring communities
to adopt programs to help them," said former First Lady and RCI Board President
Rosalynn Carter. "I appreciate the support of Johnson & Johnson and am
proud of the leadership of the Rosalynn Carter Institute in addressing
challenges in caregiving today. I think this will be one of the best Summits we
have hosted."
The Summit will provide practical tools to help community
leaders, agencies and citizens work collaboratively to build support for family
caregivers across the lifespan. Attendees will learn best practices in
supporting those caring for returning soldiers, individuals with disabilities,
stroke victims and individuals with mental health/substance abuse issues.
"The topics presented at the RCI Summit truly address
evidence-based programs across the lifespan," said Leisa Easom, Ph.D., RCI
executive director. "Our nation's escalating numbers of chronic disabilities as
well as an aging population increase the need for caregivers."
Confirmed speakers include Col. Brent Bracewell, director of
the Joint Staff Headquarters, Georgia National Guard; Donald Lollar, Ed.D.,
Oregon Health & Science University; Patricia Clarke, Ph.D., Georgia State
University; Gregory L. Fricchione, M.D., Massachusetts General Hospital;
Malcolm Lewis Marler, DMin, UAB Hospital; and Raymond P. Lorion, Ph.D.,
Towson University.
Pre-Summit Training Workshops will be held Wednesday, Oct.
24 covering legal issues, remaining healthy and faith-based community
engagement. "Serving as a caregiver is a role for which not everyone is prepared,"
Easom added. "The caregiving workshops will target everyday questions that
family caregivers struggle to address"
Also on Wednesday, there will be a special free convocation
given by colleagues from RCI-Korea concerning the "Present State of Caregiving
for the Elderly in South Korea" and "Migrant Women and Caregiving in South
Korea: A Socio-cultural Approach." No registration is required for this
session.
A 25th anniversary Gala Awards Banquet recognizing the
Georgia Caregivers of the Year and winners of the 2012 Rosalynn Carter
Leadership in Caregiving Award is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 25.
Johnson & Johnson is the primary sponsor for the Summit.
They are dedicated to supporting family caregivers across the nation,
particularly through their partnership with RCI which was established in 2001.
This valued partnership builds on the work accomplished by RCI as well as on
the social responsibility credo of Johnson & Johnson to be "responsible to
the communities in which we live and work," and to "encourage…better health and
education."
For more details, visit their Summit website at www.RosalynnCarter.org.
To register for these free workshops, call (229) 931-2034.
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