The Birches hosts author talk and book signing with caregiving expert Cheryl Kuba
On Thursday, January 22 at 7 p.m., The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills will host a program by gerontologist and author Cheryl Kuba titled "Navigating the Journey of Aging Parents: A Road Map to Successful Caregiving."
Kuba, who has over 20 years of experience in the eldercare industry, will help audience members navigate the challenges of caring for an elderly loved one by addressing difficult topics such as personal care, driving, and Alzheimer's disease.
Kuba will also share research insights from her book Navigating the Journey of Aging Parents: What Care Receivers Want which examines how it feels to be dependent and elderly through the first-person accounts of older adults who rely on the care of a loved one, friend, or stranger.
As of 2013, 40 percent of U.S. adults were caring for a sick or elderly family member. According to statistics provided by the CDC, 30 percent of these caregivers said they needed help keeping the person they care for safe, 30 percent said they had difficulty finding time for themselves, and 29 percent said they struggled to balance work and family responsibilities.
By providing caregivers with the information and resources they need to care for their loved ones, Kuba hopes to reignite their passion for caregiving, help them enjoy the last chapter of their loved one's life, and teach them how to balance caregiving responsibilities with other life responsibilities.
"Family caregivers must become empowered to take care of themselves first, and take back their lives," said Kuba. "The same principle that is used in airline safety has to happen on a personal level- put on your own oxygen mask first, before you help others."
Kuba's expertise in eldercare comes from her advanced education in gerontology, her professional experience in executive-level positions in the senior living industry, and her personal experience caring for her own aging parents.
"Navigating the Journey of Aging Parents: A Road Map to Successful Caregiving" will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at The Birches Assisted Living located at 215 55th St., Clarendon Hills. The program is free and open to public. The first forty families to register and attend this program will receive a free signed copy of Cheryl Kuba's book Navigating the Journey of Aging Parents: What Care Receivers Want compliments of The Birches. To register, call 630-581-7350.
The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills is a premier retirement community dedicated to providing professional services that support its residents' physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual growth. The Birches offers a full calendar of purposeful programs and activities designed to promote a healthy aging lifestyle and a strong sense of community. For more information about The Birches, call 630-789-1135 or visit: birches.net.