Join us for a dementia caregiving summit, “Tools for Aging Successfully: Creating Your Own Emotional Resiliency,” on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Sun Lakes United Methodist Church, Lindsay Hall, 9248 E. Riggs Road, Sun Lakes, AZ 85248. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. This is a free event. A complimentary lunch will be served.
Our keynote speaker is Gary Parks, a pastor, national speaker, and expert on navigating human relationships. Gary will offer insight and tools for understanding the complexities and overwhelming responsibility of caregiving in this deeply emotional journey. In his heartfelt presentation, we’ll explore the complex emotions that arise when you don’t know how to handle new and unknown behaviors and make difficult decisions. We’ll learn how we process our realities compared to the other people in our circle of love. Together, we’ll discuss how to acknowledge and process guilt, find pathways to self-forgiveness, and develop healthier ways to navigate your emotional world. This session will provide practical insights and compassionate support to help you find peace in your decisions and strength in your caregiving journey.
Additional speakers include Ann Wheat from Duet: Partners in Health & Aging who will be discussing Pauline Boss’ life-changing book Loving Someone with Dementia. Ann will discuss and help us all process the concept of Ambiguous Loss—being present in a relationship with our loved one but having a significant change in how that relationship plays out each and every day.
Reverend Michael Lessard is CEO and founder of Pastoral Care Associates and a powerful advocate for individuals going through emotional challenges. His ministry as a gifted teacher and trainer spans 40-plus years of ordained service. His focus will be teaching us to learn the stressors that hinder us from moving forward and helping us to understand how to be our own best advocates, not only for our loved ones, but for ourselves in the process.
For more information or to make a reservation, call Sun Lakes United Methodist Church at 480-895-8766.