The Heartland Caregiving Conference

To kick off National Family Caregivers Month, Sandwiched KC, along with the help of numerous volunteers, hosted its first conference for caregivers in the Kansas City metro on Saturday, November 4, 2023.

Nearly 50 family caregivers from all walks of life attended to network, learn about topics in aging and caregiving, and meet with companies and community resources.

Browse this page to view photos, watch select presentations, and find out more about the conference.

LEARNING SESSIONS

Ever wondered how to access home-delivered meals, transportation, or legal services for your loved one? Do you need training, information, or respite as a caregiver? This session will provide an overview of services and supports available through Mid-America Regional Council, the Area Agency on Aging for Jackson, Clay, Platte, Ray, and Cass Counties in MO. MARC offers a wide range of beneficial programs to help older adults and caregivers live their best lives. From home safety modifications to evidence-based workshops, advocacy, and access to community resources, our professional team is available to maximize your health and wellbeing on the aging journey.

Learn the options for paying for nursing home care, the pitfalls to avoid, and how to ensure your loved one gets quality care without going bankrupt.

As you look around your loved one’s home, reflect on the tasks your loved one couldn’t manage if they had a temporary injury or lost mobility. The ongoing maintenance of a house – gutter cleaning, weatherization, changing light bulbs or adding grab bars can get overwhelming to the point of moving. What services and supports make it possible to feel confident in aging in place? Join this session to learn about the community-level and individual-level components needed to support an aging-in-place goal. Participants will also learn about one community support, the Help at Home Program at Jewish Family Services, and how this program assists individuals to age in their own home and the family caregivers that support them through ongoing home maintenance.

This presentation will discuss the most important aspects of power of attorney documents, when
guardianship proceedings are necessary, and an overview of the process.

How can music enhance and support the caregiving journey? Music can be a powerful and meaningful tool for people living with long-term conditions and their care partners – both during periods of crisis and relative calm, and from the early days of a disease process through the end of life. In this presentation, we’ll explore ways to engage in music listening, singing, movement to music, and instrument playing, all with adaptations to meet your needs and interests at home. Come ready to make some music together!

Have you been struggling to know what are the right tools for you to make caregiving easier? Are you struggling to determine how you can help your loved one be more independent with some tasks they would enjoy? Then join this discussion about home modifications and resources. You will learn about:

• Home modifications that improve safety and independence
• The process for getting durable medical equipment covered by insurance
• Resources for recycled or discounted medical or adaptive equipment
• Making a plan for 24/7 supervision, and
• Area alternative transportation options and tips for maximizing their use

Have you ever wondered what a skilled nursing facility is? What would the process be if the loved one you were caring for ended up needing to be transferred to one? A Skilled Nursing Facility is a
rehabilitation center where hospital patients are transferred after leaving the hospital. In most cases they will need intensive medical care and are best suited for a short stay at a SNF. It could be for recovery from a stroke, wound care, rehab after a call or other injury. Come and hear who a candidate for a SNF is and what a stay in a facility like that could entail. You’ll also hear about other services provided at a SNF such as respite care.

Take some time for self care and relaxation with this low impact and heart opening chair yoga class being offered by CBD American Shaman. Nancy is a 200 RYT Yoga Instructor. She received her Chair Yoga certification from Kripalu Center For Yoga & Health in Stockbridge, MA. She is also a certified Cardio Drumming instructor through Fit Group USA.

We will be discussing the importance of caregivers, their stuggles, and how we as a community can support them.

Gallery