Caregivers from across Alachua County and beyond came out for a little bit of “care receiving” for themselves at what may was billed as the first of a regular annual Caregiver’s Festival on Saturday.
The organization, Assurance – Support for Caregivers, invited representatives of nonprofits and other entities that work with older adults, along with dozens of caregivers, for the celebration at the Alachua County Senior Center in Gainesville.
“This will be the signature event that just allows us to give caregivers a day of rest and allows us just to really shower them with love and with support,” said Virginia Grant, who founded Assurance after she became the full-time caregiver for her sister, who suffered an anoxic brain injury about four years ago.
“While being a caregiver for my sister, I met a lot of other caregivers and just learned that the role can be very isolating and very exhausting,” Grant said. “So, I started Assurance in her honor and to build a support system for other family caregivers.”
More than 65 million people, 29% of the U.S. population, provide care for a chronically ill, disabled, or aged family member or friend during any given year and spend an average of 20 hours per week providing care for their loved one, according to the Assurance website.
There are 4.5 million family caregivers in Florida, or 24 percent of adults in Florida, according to AARP. The reliance on family members to provide care is particularly acute in the state because Florida ranks last among all states in terms of long-term care and support, according to a 2020 study done by the AARP Foundation, the Commonwealth Fund, and the SCAN Foundation. There was no available breakdown on the number of caregivers in Alachua County.
The city of Gainesville recognized April 18, the day of the event, as Family Caregivers Appreciation and Awareness Day. Mayor Harvey Ward was on hand to issue the proclamation.
There was a lot for attendees to see and do. They got tips on organizing paperwork so they can properly care for their loved ones, ways to relax and take time for themselves and a CPR demonstration from Gainesville Fire Rescue.
Brandy Stone, the organization’s director of Community Health Initiatives with Gainesville Fire Rescue, says a lot of the people she sees have caregivers or are caregivers themselves. She also praised Grant’s initiative with Assurance.
“There are over 30 resources here today, which is an amazing showing of folks that are here to support caregivers in our community,” Stone said. “I think it raises awareness of the need for things like this, but it also provides a little bit of respite for the folks who are giving of themselves to take care of other people.”
And there were fun things on board for those in attendance, like presentations from the young dancers of Dance Alive National Ballet, who showcased both tap and ballet performances, a water painting workshop for those who wanted to dabble in the arts, free facials, and free chair massages. Breakfast and lunch were provided.
Some took time to check out Sophie, of Sugar Dogs International, and her owner, Paula Sarah Dempsey, who explained that sugar dogs are trained to help people with diabetes.
“Sugar dogs are trained to be alert for blood sugar levels in a person and whether they are high or low,” she said.
The program can help individuals train their dogs, who are already in the home.
Happiness coach Angela Dragon, who also owns Simplify Home Organizing, said her services can assist caregivers and those they care for in managing their lives.
“Almost all of our clients are often women, and women, especially, who are caregivers, need a lot of extra support, including decluttering and downsizing for themselves and their aging parents,” she said.