The Wise Ones

Wednesday was the date of our fourth annual Philadelphia Fearless Caregiver conference. It was also a beautiful day in Springfield, Pennsylvania with crystal blue skies and moderate temperatures, but as far as I was concerned, the real beauty of the day was in the conference room of the Springfield Country Club where we spent time with hundreds of caregivers from across the area.  I am always so very happy to spend the days in this manner.   I may be a little prejudiced, but I truly believe that there are no smarter people in the world than caregivers. Who else in a moment's notice can transform from being a loving spouse, daughter, son, grandchild, grandparent to becoming a dietitian, therapist, insurance specialist, medical expert, chauffer, psychologist, pharmacist and incontinence expert? 

Selfishly, I am also always thrilled to write this column following a Fearless Caregiver Conference or a keynote session, because much of the work is already done for me. There never fails to be at least one piece of the healthcare puzzle solved through the comments of the attendees at such events.  The challenge on Wednesday was that there were so many great moments from which to choose, it is difficult to decide upon just one. From the all-encompassing opening session given by Louis Colbert, Executive Director of Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging to the heartfelt remarks at the end of the Q and A session from Steve Scalet of Generation Mortgage, who shared as a new caregiver, how much he received from the comments of the caregiving audience.

Yet, if pressed, I would have to opt for the attendee who came up to me after lunch and said that although she got invaluable advice from the expert speakers and panelists, the wisdom she received from her fellow caregivers at her table and the table next to her was truly priceless. Now, there's some insight from a true Fearless Caregiver.  

Take care
Gary Barg
Editor-in-Chief
gary@caregiver.com
 

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