Senior Concerns and the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce are bringing together influential business leaders, along with the Mayors and City Managers of Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Agoura Hills, for an interactive community summit, “Responding to the Caregiving Crisis,” on Monday, June 16, 2014, from 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Agoura Hills in an effort to create a plan of action address our community’s caregiver crisis as our population ages and more baby boomers become family caregivers for their loved ones.
“Caring for an aging family member is a silent social and economic epidemic that is already having a tremendous impact on our workplaces and our community,” explains Andrea Gallagher, President of Senior Concerns. “At any given time, more than 21% of the workforce is dealing with a caregiving situation resulting in loss productivity and increased healthcare costs for their employers and an over dependence on fractured support systems in the community.”
The goal of the Roundtable is simple but powerful – to be the first community in the nation to convene influential leaders and stakeholders to respond to our community’s caregiver crisis.
According to the MetLife Caregiving Cost Study, caregivers for the elderly account for 73% of early departures and late arrivals in the workplace; utilize “long and frequent” on the job telephone calls; have more mistakes, accidents, conflicts and poor morale, and have increased health problems.
“Family caregivers play a key role in delaying and possibly preventing institutionalization of an elderly loved one,” Gallagher added. “The willingness of family members to provide care can be bolstered by supportive programs and services both at work and in the community. Solutions for caregivers can be critically important to the health, wellbeing and productivity of our community for years to come.”
To learn more about the Roundtable or if you would like to send a reporter to cover this important event, please contact Andrea Gallagher at 805-497-0189 or via email at andrea@seniorconcerns.org. This event is not open to the community.
About Senior Concerns
Senior Concerns is a Thousand Oaks-based private, non-profit organization dedicated to serving seniors young and old, caregivers and families by offering a wide-range of services, programs and resources, including a professionally managed Adult Day Program, Meals on Wheels, Caregiver Support Center, free legal, financial, advocacy and care management services, support groups and community education and training. Senior Concerns also operates the Bargain Boutique & Thrift Shop and hosts two major fundraisers—the Love Run and the Ultimate Dining Experience—and receives invaluable community support from more than 800 volunteers.
