Kensington Park Senior Living proudly co-hosts the 4th Annual CareCon on Feb. 14, 2024, marking a significant event for both caregivers and senior living professionals alike. Celebrate our love for caregivers this Valentine’s Day!
CareCon and Kensington Park: A celebration of compassionate care
This annual gathering, organized in partnership with HFC, is a free virtual event that pays tribute to those who dedicate their lives to caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
CareCon at Kensington Park isn’t just an event; it’s a profound acknowledgment and celebration of compassionate care in action.
RSVP to join us at this special event to empower and celebrate caregivers.
Giving caregivers some deserved acknowledgment
This collaboration between HFC and Kensington Park epitomizes a shared vision of empowering caregivers.
It’s an endeavor that goes beyond mere support, aiming to uplift, educate, and acknowledge the critical role caregivers play.
By connecting with resources, expertise, and a community, this event stands as a beacon of hope and encouragement in the challenging journey of caregiving.
Our promise is to love and care for your family as we do our own.
Core aspirations of CareCon: empathy, education, empowerment
The essence of CareCon revolves around three pivotal elements: empathy, education, and empowerment.
The event is designed to help us all understand the various facets of caregiving, offering insights and guidance that are essential for those in this noble but challenging role.
It’s an environment where empathy and support are not just offered but are the foundation of every interaction.
Caregiver connections
CareCon’s role extends beyond providing information.
The event serves as a bridge connecting the knowledge of experts to the emotional and practical needs of caregivers.
HFC and Kensington Park Senior Living seek to offer a unique blend of learning and emotional nurturing, recognizing that effective caregiving comes from both the heart and the mind.
At the helm: Lauren Miller Rogen and Seth Rogen’s vision
The creation of CareCon is deeply rooted in the personal experiences of Lauren Miller Rogen and Seth Rogen with Alzheimer’s disease within their family.
Their journey, filled with challenges and learning, fueled their passion to establish a platform that addresses the needs of caregivers and honors their dedication.
Insights: personally and professionally
Lauren and Seth’s involvement in CareCon brings a unique perspective to the event. They infuse their ethos of caregiving with their insights from having created and managed the HFC charity for many years now. As a comedian, Seth also adds a level of humor.
Their leadership has been instrumental in shaping an event that doesn’t just speak to caregivers but speaks for them, echoing their challenges, triumphs, and unwavering commitment.
The heart of CareCon: The Scotty Award
At the heart of CareCon is the Scotty Award—a touching tribute to Scott Miller, Lauren’s father, and the resilience and dedication of caregivers everywhere.
Named in his honor, the Scotty Award recognizes the silent heroes who provide care, often without fanfare or recognition.
The award was created as a symbol of the strength, patience, and love that defines the essence of caregiving, inspired by Scott’s own caregiving journey with his late wife and Lauren’s mother Adele.
Highlighting the exceptional
The Scotty Award is not just a token of appreciation; it’s a spotlight on the exceptional, often unnoticed, work done by caregivers—an embodiment of the respect and gratitude felt by the community for those who devote their lives to caring for others.
Through this award, CareCon acknowledges the profound impact caregivers have on the lives they touch and the broader community.
Championing the caregivers: The nomination process for the Scotty Award
The Scotty Award nomination process is a crucial aspect of CareCon, inviting the community to acknowledge and celebrate the exceptional caregivers among us.
Nominations are open to anyone who wishes to recognize a caregiver’s extraordinary dedication and impact.
This inclusive approach ensures that every caregiver has the opportunity to be celebrated, regardless of their background or the specifics of their caregiving journey.
The criteria for selection
The selection criteria for the Scotty Award focus on qualities that define the heart and soul of caregiving. These include:
- Empathy
- Creativity in problem-solving
- Resilience in the face of challenges
- An unwavering commitment to the well-being of those in their care
The judging panel, comprised of seasoned caregivers, health care professionals, and advocates, brings a diverse and insightful perspective to the evaluation process, ensuring a fair and meaningful assessment of each nominee.
Voices of care: Sharing inspirational caregiving stories
CareCon also strives to be a platform where caregivers’ voices and stories take center stage. These narratives, filled with challenges, triumphs, and profound love, play a pivotal role in the event.
By sharing their experiences, caregivers not only find a therapeutic outlet for their own journeys but also offer invaluable insights and inspiration to others.
Panels
The event will commence with a series of thought-provoking panels immediately following the opening remarks. The first panel, “Comedy and Caregiving: Finding and Accepting Light in Dark Times,” will explore the therapeutic power of humor in navigating the challenges of caregiving. Panelists will share their experiences, offering a unique perspective on how laughter can be a source of resilience during difficult moments.
The second panel, “Love and Dementia: Navigating Relationships through the Care Journey,” will delve into the complexities of maintaining meaningful connections amidst the trials of dementia. This panel aims to provide valuable insights and strategies for fostering empathy, communication, and understanding in relationships affected by caregiving responsibilities.
The third panel, “Adaptive and Inclusive Fashion: A Conversation about the Intersection of Fashion and Care,” promises to showcase innovative approaches to fashion that prioritize inclusivity and comfort, addressing the unique needs of both caregivers and those in their care.
The final panel, “Equity in Alzheimer’s Research, Treatment, and Care: The Importance of Inclusion in Shaping a Diverse and Compassionate Approach for All,” will underscore the significance of inclusivity in shaping a comprehensive and compassionate approach to Alzheimer’s care.
Workshops
Complementing the event are expert-led workshops—meticulously crafted to impart practical wisdom and tools essential for caregiving.
Topics include:
- Navigating Diagnosis, An Insider’s Look at the Diagnosis Process and Some Inside Tips: aims to demystify the diagnostic journey, offering practical insights from those who have firsthand experience.
- Cruising Through Caregiving: will equip caregivers with practical tools and strategies to navigate the challenges they may encounter, emphasizing the importance of self-care.
- Hard Conversations to Plan Ahead: will sensitively address end-of-life planning, encouraging open discussions on crucial topics.
- Finding Joy in Dementia: will explore ways to uncover moments of happiness and connection amidst the difficulties of dementia.
- Movement for Self-care: Mindfulness, Tai Chi, Yoga: will encourage participants to explore mindful movement practices as tools for holistic well-being.
- Embracing End of Life Care and Conversations with Grief: will provide a supportive space for attendees to engage with the emotional aspects of caregiving, fostering a sense of community and understanding.
The resonance of excellence in caregiving
The impact of these stories extends far beyond the individual—they weave a tapestry of shared experiences, fostering a strong sense of community and mutual support.
These narratives are a powerful reminder to caregivers that they are not alone in their journey, reinforcing the idea that their struggles and victories are part of a larger, shared experience.
Continuing the journey with HFC and Kensington Park
When the curtain comes down on the 4th Annual CareCon—it’s not the end of the support and resources we make available to caregivers.
HFC and Kensington Park are committed to providing ongoing connections to caregivers, recognizing that their needs continue beyond the event.
This support includes access to educational materials, support groups, and expert advice, all aimed at enhancing the caregiving experience and addressing the challenges caregivers face.
Kensington Park: The impact of professional caregiving
The Kensington Park team sees every day the impact of compassionate caregiving in our senior living community.
From our Powerback rehabilitation team members to the invaluable caregiving of our memory care team in our three levels of care, caregivers all play a vital role in fostering a life-enriching and supportive environment.
At Kensington Park, our commitment to holistic care extends to offering resources and support not only for our wonderful residents but also for the caregivers who play an essential role in their lives.
Encouraging participation in the Scotty Award nominations is another way Kensington Park and HFC continue to recognize and honor the dedication of caregivers.
For more information about the different ways Kensington Park can care for your loved one—reach out to us.
We’re always ready to listen and eager to help.