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"Who is Caring for the Care Partners in Greater Philadelphia?" March 25, 2024

"Who is Caring for the Care Partners in Greater Philadelphia?" March 25, 2024
On behalf of all of us at ARTZ Philadelphia, sending out HUGE THANKS to our panelists, Cheryl Clark-Woods, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, Jean Kirkley, Boomers ’R Heroes Caregivers Support Groups, and Adriana Perez, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, who provided valuable information and resources for care partners at yesterday's "Who is Caring for the Care Parents in Greater Philadelphia",
¿Quién se ocupa de los compañeros de cuidado en el área metropolitana de Filadelfia?, event, co-hosted by ARTZ Philadelphia, https://lnkd.in/ex95FXrc, and Center in the Park https://lnkd.in/g2xP3xFH, and live-streamed on our FaceBook page!
Many thanks also to Cleo Smalls and Center in the Park for providing such a wonderful venue for this event, and to translator, Madelyne Groves! Shout out also to our "tablers", Emily Gavin, OT https://lnkd.in/gsFZReaz; Karen Kissinger, NewCourtland https://lnkd.in/gj-24kXh!
On behalf of all of us at ARTZ Philadelphia, sending out HUGE THANKS to our panelists, Cheryl Clark-Woods, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, Jean Kirkley, Boomers ’R Heroes Caregivers Support Groups, and Adriana Perez, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, who provided valuable information and resources for care partners at yesterday's "Who is Caring for the Care Parents in Greater Philadelphia",
¿Quién se ocupa de los compañeros de cuidado en el área metropolitana de Filadelfia?, event, co-hosted by ARTZ Philadelphia, https://lnkd.in/ex95FXrc, and Center in the Park https://lnkd.in/g2xP3xFH, and live-streamed on our FaceBook page!
Many thanks also to Cleo Smalls and Center in the Park for providing such a wonderful venue for this event, and to translator, Madelyne Groves! Shout out also to our "tablers", Emily Gavin, OT https://lnkd.in/gsFZReaz; Karen Kissinger, NewCourtland https://lnkd.in/gj-24kXh!
DBHiDS - TEC CONFERENCE
Addressing Trauma, Achieving Equity and Engaging Community
Across the Lifespan - Thurs., March 21, 2024
It was an honor and a pleasure to accept the invitation extended by Andrea October, Assistant Director for Systems Integration at the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS). Boomers 'R Heroes represented the Aging Community issues of Trauma, Equity, and Community with a slideshow presentation as well as participation on the panel discussion. Trauma: Citing the crucial issues of fear in the home with all the violence in our streets. With that said, Trauma in the aging community is in the midst of a complex trauma situation. Seniors are barraged with shocking daily news reports of violence in the streets, in homes, on public transport and roads. There doesn’t seem to be any safe place for those who want to age-in-place, in their own homes, where they should feel safe and secure. The health coverage for seniors is in jeopardy and seems to be the target for political factions, not to mention social security, as well. Since the pandemic, we’ve been experiencing a loss of home care providers as there is a major lack of employees for such services and the agencies are not able to provide what is called for in the ever-growing community. This is a critical situation, in and of itself. Equity :means people should be treated uniquely by public policy to compensate for different circumstances. With this in mind, the aging community has been put in a very difficult situation. Retirement seems to be something that will only mean that we are no longer on a full-time payroll, but working to supplement social security and pensions, if you are healthy enough to do so. Facing failing health, a lack of home care providers and aging in place support, the caregivers are taking on these mantles as well for their loved ones. They are doing all they can to locate and provide the resources needed to support their loved ones and their own families, as well. From my standpoint, seniors are facing many challenges where their livelihoods and care are concerned.
Community: The aging community in the Philadelphia area is growing on a daily basis, as mentioned earlier. We are prayerful that those who are able to maintain their plans to age-in-place have a circle of family members, friends and neighbors work as a community to support them.
As a community, it is evident that we cannot accomplish these goals alone, but we must work together with our community representatives, leaders, and activists to ensure we are all able to live our lives with dignity and gratitude at home. While it’s not possible for everyone to do this as they find themselves in some very difficult situations with no family to support them, and/or an inability to maintain a home for themselves due to behavioral health issues, drug abuse, and other issues
Community: The aging community in the Philadelphia area is growing on a daily basis, as mentioned earlier. We are prayerful that those who are able to maintain their plans to age-in-place have a circle of family members, friends and neighbors work as a community to support them.
As a community, it is evident that we cannot accomplish these goals alone, but we must work together with our community representatives, leaders, and activists to ensure we are all able to live our lives with dignity and gratitude at home. While it’s not possible for everyone to do this as they find themselves in some very difficult situations with no family to support them, and/or an inability to maintain a home for themselves due to behavioral health issues, drug abuse, and other issues