Sandwiched KC and family caregivers from all over the Kansas City metro, along with a number of community partners, all joined together this weekend to kick off National Family Caregivers Month in Kansas City on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at MCCKC Penn Valley.
We kicked off the day with a “support group on steroids” where everyone shared who they were, what part of town they’re from, and who they are caring for. It was moving and reassuring to hear how many of us are caring for a loved one across town, and wonderful to have people joining a family caregiver to support them on their caregiving journey. We are so grateful that we could connect with each other in this way.
After the conference began, attendees spent time visiting with our resource exhibitors and attending breakout sessions presented by local experts on topics like senior living, end of life, health and wellness, and more. We have to offer a HUGE thank you to Nancy Baum, Certified Yoga Instructor at CBD American Shaman, who offered her Self Love Chair Yoga session all three times! Nancy offers a chair yoga class FREE every other Sunday at 11am at the CBD American Shaman Shop located at 10069 W 87th St, Overland Park, KS 66212.
We have to thank our Resource Exhibitors for supporting our event and sharing information with caregivers. They made our conference extraordinary and many of our attendees shared that having so much information was their favorite part of attending the event:
- Bishop Spencer Place
- CarePatrol of KCMO
- qualOT of life
- T-Mobile Accessibility
- CBD American Shaman
- KC Fashion Quartz LLC
- Synergy HomeCare
- Mobile Medical
- Family Solutions for Care
- Better at Home Services
- Lifescape Elder Care Law & Estate Planning
- Beth Cree, Realtor
- Stockton and Kandt, LLC Estate Planning & Elder Law
- Oak Street Health
- Heart Land Prairie Cemetery
- Jewish Family Services of KC
- Pace KC Adult Wellness Center
- Alzheimer’s Association – Heart of America Chapter
- Mid-Continent Public Library
For lunch, catering was provided Ruby Jean’s Juicery, and it was a big hit as always! Just look at this gorgeous spread 🥪😍
We enjoyed a wonderful, inspiring performance by Mikal Shapiro, a Kansas City folk singer and caregiver for her mom, Charlotte. She has toured extensively across the United States and is currently in the studio recording her new album. You can listen to her newest track here!
In the afternoon, attendees enjoyed Juice Tasting, also from Ruby Jean’s Juicery.
To end the day on a positive note, local legends, dementia advocates, writers, and speakers, Deborah Shouse and Ron Zoglin, offered Laughter for Health & Happiness. Together, we envisioned a world where we applauded each other and ourselves on a regular basis.
Photo Gallery
Thank Yous
In addition to a number of our exhibitors, the following local businesses and organizations donated door prizes, which we raffled off at the end of the day. It is obvious that Kansas City loves its family caregivers 🥪💖
- Pigwich
- Mantra Kansas City – Spiritual Store and Yoga Studio
- Darling Yoga
- Mildred’s KC
- North Kansas City Hospital Community Health & Wellness Department
- New Day Massage
- Sjökort Health & Wellness
- Missouri Assistive Technology
- Homesteader Cafe
- QuikTrip
The Heartland Caregiving Conference was made possible by the following fine organizations, our 2024 conference sponsors:
