About 4,000 people turned up at an 2009 expo for caregivers in San Diego. The CaregiverSD community expo at Liberty Station brought together speakers and exhibitors seeking to discuss and address a range of issues – from hiring help, to finding residential homes for those with dementia, to the stresses of caregiving. It was part of a initiative launched by The San Diego Union-Tribune to help family members connect to care support and resources. Among those attending was 84-year-old Marie Campilongo, 24/7 caregiver for her husband, Frank, who suffers Alzheimer’s. Campilongo said her husband’s diagnosis at first felt like a “kick in the stomach,” but added that a lot of what she heard at the expo reinforced the life lessons she had learned as a caregiver. She stressed that it is important to know about the resources available and to ask for help when you need it. Former TV newscaster Kristen Cusato was among the speakers at CaregiverSD, who left San Diego to care for her mother in annual. Speaking about her own experiences looking after her mother, who was diagnosed with a form of dementia, Cusato encouraged caregivers to forgive themselves for any mistakes they will inevitably make. She said that going through the emotions of caregiving was like a “wave in the ocean,” creating anger and exhaustion. But advised attendees to “embrace it, feel it, cry, yell and then get ready for the next wave.” Information, resources and support for carers is also available on new website, caregiverSD.com.
About 4,000 people turned up at an annual expo for caregivers in San Diego. The CaregiverSD community expo at Liberty Station brought together speakers and exhibitors seeking to discuss and address a range of issues – from hiring help, to finding residential homes for those with dementia, to the stresses of caregiving. It was part of a initiative launched by The San Diego Union-Tribune to help family members connect to care support and resources. Among those attending was 84-year-old Marie Campilongo, 24/7 caregiver for her husband, Frank, who suffers Alzheimer’s. Campilongo said her husband’s diagnosis at first felt like a “kick in the stomach,” but added that a lot of what she heard at the expo reinforced the life lessons she had learned as a caregiver. She stressed that it is important to know about the resources available and to ask for help when you need it. Former TV newscaster Kristen Cusato was among the speakers at CaregiverSD, who left San Diego to care for her mother in 2009. Speaking about her own experiences looking after her mother, who was diagnosed with a form of dementia, Cusato encouraged caregivers to forgive themselves for any mistakes they will inevitably make. She said that going through the emotions of caregiving was like a “wave in the ocean,” creating anger and exhaustion. But advised attendees to “embrace it, feel it, cry, yell and then get ready for the next wave.” Information, resources and support for carers is also available on new website, caregiverSD.com.