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

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Mazel 
Tov

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