‘Navigation Conference’ offers resources, guidance to family caregivers | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › ‘Navigation Conference’ offers resources, guidance to family caregivers ‘Navigation Conference’ offers resources, guidance to family caregivers Published: September 14, 2017 Author: Erin Blasko Navigation Conference “Walking Alongside: A Seminar Series on the Culture of Aging” concludes with “Walking Alongside: A Navigation Conference for Family Caregivers on the Culture of Aging” from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 16 (Saturday) at St. Joseph PACE, 250 E. Day Road., Mishawaka. Hosted by the Office of Community Relations, part of the Notre Dame Center for Arts and Culture, in partnership with Saint Joseph Health System and Indiana University School of Medicine-South Bend, the daylong event offers conversation, education, resource sharing and support for those caring for older loved ones. The event includes three breakouts sessions: “Medicare & Medicaid: Changes and What to Watch For;” “Handling Someone Else’s Money;” and “Fast Facts,” a round-robin session with aging experts covering Veterans Affairs, elder law, REAL Services/Medicaid waiver, care coordination and senior living choices. Jackie Rucker, associate director of community relations for Notre Dame and community liaison for the Center for Arts and Culture, spearheaded the series, which grew out of her experience caring for her father after her husband and mother passed away. “I didn’t know what to do, because it’s not stuff that you learn in school. Who do you call? What do you do?” Rucker said. “So as I was going through this, I just kept thinking, ‘Somebody should tell folks what to do.’” She thought the Center for Arts and Culture could fill this role. “With this being a cultural center, it’s not just art on the wall,” she said. “We also have conversations about American culture. And this just seemed to be one of those trends where more and more people my age are taking care of aging parents and just need some direction.” More than 39 million people, mostly women, provide unpaid care for adult family members in the U.S., according to a 2015 report by the AARP Public Policy Institute and National Alliance for Caregiving. The average caregiver provides 24.4 hours of care per week on a household income of $47,500. The work can contribute to emotional and financial stress and poor health for the caregivers. “The caregiving role is one borne out of love, but can prove an extremely stressful and lonely 24/7 job,” said John Bruinsma, senior community services navigator with Saint Joseph Health System. “The purpose of the Walking Alongside Caregiver Navigation Conference is to extend resources and guidance, encouragement and mutual support to caregivers as they walk alongside their loved one through the challenge of aging.” The seminar is free and open to the public, though registration is required. In addition to the breakout sessions, there will be a resource fair with vendors representing various elder care agencies. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. The event is sponsored by 1st Source Bank Wealth Advisory Services. For more information or to register, visit artsandculture.nd.edu/community-relations. Contact: Erin Blasko, assistant director of media relations, 574-631-4127, eblasko@nd.edu Posted In: University News Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related October 03, 2022 Congresswoman Liz Cheney to speak at Notre Dame on the future of democracy September 22, 2022 In memoriam: Rev. Richard Warner, C.S.C., longtime leader for Notre Dame, Congregation of Holy Cross September 22, 2022 ND Forum keynote event to feature Emmy Award-winning actors in Theater of War Productions’ presentation of ‘The Suppliants’ in Notre Dame Stadium September 21, 2022 In annual address to faculty, Father Jenkins outlines campus-wide vision for elevating excellence September 15, 2022 Lilly Endowment Inc. grant helps to expand Notre Dame pre-college programs for Hoosier high school students For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn