Caregivers

Washington County Commission on Aging Inc., and Sen. Christopher B. Shank (R-Washington) invite grandparents and relatives who are raising children to Christ's Reform Church, Church School Auditorium, 130 W. Franklin Street, Hagerstown, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20. Attendees can discuss issues and concerns. A light luncheon and childcare will be provided. RSVP to Ruth Brown at 301-790-0275, ext. 205.

GREENCASTLE, PA. -- Among the battalion of Relay for Life participants gathered Friday at Kaley Field marched a silent army, known only by their purple sashes, their never-waning hearts and a strength that would put giants to shame. Caregivers often are the forgotten soldiers in the war against cancer, as they bring up the rear so their survivors can, well, survive, said Pat Faust-Baker, chair of the Greencastle Relay for Life. But ask any of the 200 survivors proudly walking lap after lap this weekend and they will tell you the same: It takes two to beat this disease.

Washington County Cancer survivors and their caregivers are invited to Relay for Life's annual Survivor Valentine Reception. The event is Monday, Feb. 21, at Maugansville Ruritan. The free event will include dinner and entertainment. Lance de la Cruz, a cancer survivor, will be the guest speaker. Participants are asked to reserve a spot by contacting Cathy Thomas at 301-733-8272 by Friday. With your reservation, she will give you the final details of the event. This is one of the first events leading up to the Relay for Life of Washington County on June 17 and 18 at Fairgrounds Park in Hagerstown.

More than 30 vendors filled Hager Hall in Hagerstown Thursday for the 2012 Senior and Caregiver Expo put on by Washington County CARES. The expo provided information for seniors and caregivers about the multiple organizations that can assist them. “I wanted to see what all is out here,” said Hagerstown resident Grady Grimm, 91. “I'm always looking for things I can do to keep my motor going.” Grimm, a World War II veteran, is part of Ravenwood Independent Living and drove to the expo on his own. He said he wanted to get his blood pressure checked and meet people he knows at the event.

Middle-agers as caregivers Finally. It's time to make time for me - for us - again. The last child is nearing the end of college, and the sigh expelled is one of relief and anticipation. Relief at having survived sending the children through college. Anticipation at having an empty house, time to travel, no college bills to pay. Unfortunately, seismic shifts in the family dynamic have resulted in a new landscape for many Americans entering or entrenched in middle age. Passports and playtime are being exchanged for caregiving of parents, grandchildren or children returning home as a result of divorce.

FREDERICK, Md. - "Caring for Children with Learning Disabilities and/or ADD will be presented from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, at North Frederick Elementary School, 1001 Motter Ave. Susan Cox, school counselor at New Midway/Woodsboro Elementary Schools, will discuss social skills development and ways families can deal successfully with teachers and other resources in the school system. The program is co-sponsored by Families Plus! and the Frederick Public Schools' Counseling/Support Services.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -Berkeley Senior Services is hosting a lunch-time discussion of strategies for reducing caregiver stress during the holiday season. The caregiver luncheon will be 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3. The Dutch-treat lunch will be served at Berkeley Senior Services, 217 N. High St. Bringing dessert is optional. The luncheon is open to anyone who cares for adults or children. Complimentary respite care is available by calling Kathy McIntyre, 1-304-263-8873, ext. 114.

While Olympic events continue to be held this week on an international stage, 27 campers from Easter Seals are tackling creative twists on the sports. The 100-meter backward dash and dizzy discus are among activities planned for Camp Amp. “Our theme for the week is Olympics,” said Liz Bunting, Camp Amp director and a therapeutic recreation program coordinator with Easter Seals. For the second year, Camp Amp is being held at Camp Joy El in Antrim Township, Pa. Campers ages 7 to 17 hail from Franklin, Cumberland, York, Dauphin and Lancaster counties.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Crying is the way an infant communicates, but it is often the cause of the frustration in a parent or caregiver that leads to Shaken Baby Syndrome, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. "We don't know how much force is needed to produce the injuries, but we know it has to be violent," Dr. Mark Dias, a pediatric neurosurgeon at Hershey (Pa.) Medical Center testified Tuesday in Franklin County Court during the trial of a man charged with shaking his infant son. The back and forth shaking of an infant's head can result in what Dias called a rotational injury which is "much more damaging to the brain than a linear impact" such a fall.

Tower Bank recently donated $500 to Washington County CARES. The money will support Washington County CARES Mondays in May, a series of seminars dedicated to providing expert advice and helpful resources to local caregivers. Washington County CARES is a coalition of agencies and individuals geared toward improving life for the elderly, caregivers and the community at large.

Information on the Affordable Care Act's upcoming effects on senior citizens in Maryland and medical equipment that can be used at home were features of the 2013 Senior and Caregiver Expo put on by Washington County CARES in Hager Hall on Thursday. Jon Kromm, deputy director for the Governor's Office of Health Care Reform in Maryland, spoke to the attendees in the morning about the Affordable Care Act and how it can affect them as seniors, including possible discounts on prescription drugs, preventive care coverage, cracking down on fraud and waste, and open enrollment periods for health insurance.

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Md. 0077 Monday, May 6, weigh in 7:15 to 9:15 a.m., meeting 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. First Christian Church, 1345 Potomac Ave., Hagerstown. Call Patsy P. at 301-582-2292. Gam-anon Monday, May 6, 7 to 8:30 p.m. 33 E. Church St., Frederick, Md. Use side entrance. An anonymous self-help program for friends and family whose lives have been affected by someone with a gambling problem. Call 240-409-2395. Grandparent/relative as caregiver Tuesday, May 7, 10 a.m. to noon.

Maria Edmonds, who has had literary works published in an anthology against domestic violence and Hedge Apple Literary Magazine, was preparing to recite two original poems for “An Evening of Music and Poetry,” put on Saturday night by students and staff at Hagerstown Community College's Kepler Center. “I think it's important that people are able to express their feelings,” she said. Edmonds, 34, was slated to recite a poem titled “The Stranger” over the piano and another poem titled “Store Birds Summer” over the guitar.

The Alzheimer's Association and Washington Square United Methodist Church will offer a community education program, "Who are the Caregivers" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, at the church, 538 Washington Square, Hagerstown. Dawn Jones, executive director of Potomac Case Management Services and geriatric care manager with the Journey Life Care Program, will talk on caregiving. She is also founder of Washington County CARES, a working coalition that supports local caregivers, raises awareness on issues and importance of planning for the future.

While Olympic events continue to be held this week on an international stage, 27 campers from Easter Seals are tackling creative twists on the sports. The 100-meter backward dash and dizzy discus are among activities planned for Camp Amp. “Our theme for the week is Olympics,” said Liz Bunting, Camp Amp director and a therapeutic recreation program coordinator with Easter Seals. For the second year, Camp Amp is being held at Camp Joy El in Antrim Township, Pa. Campers ages 7 to 17 hail from Franklin, Cumberland, York, Dauphin and Lancaster counties.

More than 30 vendors filled Hager Hall in Hagerstown Thursday for the 2012 Senior and Caregiver Expo put on by Washington County CARES. The expo provided information for seniors and caregivers about the multiple organizations that can assist them. “I wanted to see what all is out here,” said Hagerstown resident Grady Grimm, 91. “I'm always looking for things I can do to keep my motor going.” Grimm, a World War II veteran, is part of Ravenwood Independent Living and drove to the expo on his own. He said he wanted to get his blood pressure checked and meet people he knows at the event.

A Caregiver Expo and Conference will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 24, at Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, 901 Dual Highway, Hagerstown. Information about many services that are available for area seniors will be provided.  Health screenings, games, and information will be included, and food will be available for purchase. For more information, call 240-420-4230 or go to www.washingtoncountycares.org .

Hazel Marie Parker, 61, of Hagerstown, died peacefully Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, surrounded by loved ones at her home. Born March 20, 1950, in Maryland, she was the daughter of the late Harry and Theresa M. (Duffy) Parker. Hazel attended St. Mark's Lutheran Church. She was a member of the Happy-Go-Lucky Bowling League. Hazel loved to listen to music. She found her true vocation working with the Washington County Human Development Council Medical Day Program. She will be greatly missed by all of her loved ones and caregivers, especially Gladys, Crystal and Racheida.

Washington County Commission on Aging Inc., and Sen. Christopher B. Shank (R-Washington) invite grandparents and relatives who are raising children to Christ's Reform Church, Church School Auditorium, 130 W. Franklin Street, Hagerstown, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20. Attendees can discuss issues and concerns. A light luncheon and childcare will be provided. RSVP to Ruth Brown at 301-790-0275, ext. 205.

It's not a 9 to 5 job. It's more like 24/7. There are meals to prepare, medicine to dispense, clothes to wash and trips to the doctor - sometimes miles away. They are a support system for spouses, parents, friends and foster children. And they give of their time selflessly. They are caregivers, meeting the needs of others. And while they do important things, their work often goes unrecognized. But to those who rely on them, they're superstars. Take Tina Hall.