28 | SEPTEMBER 5 • 2024
J
N
J
ewish Family Service is
hosting a free, small-scale
expo for family caregivers on
Thursday, Sept. 19, from 1-4 p.m.
at the Jewish Family Service Orley
Building in West Bloomfield.
Intended for new and existing
caregivers, the event will shine a
light on the importance of taking
care of one’s physical, mental
and financial health as an adult
caregiver.
A caregiver is an individual,
often a family member, who cares
for a spouse, parent, sibling or
child with short- or long-term
limitations due to illness or injury.
Often, caregiving becomes a top
priority, and the caregiver’s own
health and needs take a backseat.
However, this expo aims to
prioritize caregivers by providing
the tools and knowledge caregivers
need to support and empower
themselves throughout the entire
caregiving journey.
The afternoon event will feature
expert speakers, free 15-minute
consultations with a JFS therapist,
holistic health options and the chance
to meet professionals from local
nonprofits.
Guests will have a chance to speak
to representatives from the Alzheimer’s
Association, Jewish Community Adult
Day Program, Jewish Senior Life, Spier
Financial Services and more.
They’ll also hear from a panel of
community caregivers sharing their
own personal stories.
Expert speakers include Evie Lynn
Breuer, a licensed clinical social worker
and certified dementia practitioner, as
well as Howard H. Collens, an attorney
who focuses on probate and trust
administration, guardianships and
conservatorships, estate planning and
elder law.
The event is funded by a grant from
the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Legacy Funds
via the Community Foundation for
Southeast Michigan, helping it remain
free to all who attend.
A GROWING NEED
As a newer initiative within JFS, the
Family Caregiver Support Program is
open to all individuals.
Program manager Emily Gordon
says there’s been a
growing need for
caregiver support as
the boomer population
continues to age. “The
need for caregiving is so
much more common
these days,
” she says.
While caregiving may be more
widespread, the toll it takes on
caregivers themselves remains
unchanged. “They get more
susceptible to getting sick
physically and feeling down
mentally,
” Gordon explains.
“Caregivers see themselves as a
loving daughter or a loving spouse
who just wants to do the right
thing, and they don’t know where
to turn for help.
”
Caregiving can also be tough
financially, Gordon adds, as 9-5
jobs can take a backseat to make
room for what’s often the full-time
job of caregiving. These challenges,
among others, are why JFS receives
calls regularly from caregivers
seeking help with no idea where to
look for it.
That’s why JFS decided to
assemble a one-stop shop with
everything caregivers need — legal
and financial advice, counseling,
even yoga and sound therapy — to
take a much-deserved break at their
free Family Caregiver Expo.
“We wanted an expo that did a bit of
everything,
” Gordon says.
Being able to offer free consultations
with a JFS therapist was another critical
factor for event organizers. “Mental
health resources can be difficult for
people to pay for,
” Gordon adds.
The goal of the event: to “normalize
and validate” the caregiving experience.
Guests will also walk away with
everything they need to continue to
support themselves and their loved
ones.
“We’re going to have pamphlets,
hard resources,
” Gordon says,
“everything outlining what’s available
so that someone can take next steps.
”
To register and for more information, visit
jfsdetroit.org/expo. The first 50 people to
register receive a free gift bag.
The event will feature expert speakers, panelists
and representatives of local agencies.
JFS Offers Free Family
Caregivers Expo
Emily
Gordon
ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
OUR COMMUNITY
JEWISH NEWS
THE DETROIT
Book your free
b’nai mitzvah
announcement
online by
scanning the QR
code.
Mazel
Tov
Celebrate
your child’s
journey into
adulthood
with
The Detroit
Jewish
News.