Care for the caregivers
Dementia awareness event features guest speaker, self-care activities
Photo by Deb Gau People attending MADAN's Fall Caregiver Event in Marshall had a chance to socialize, relax, and even enjoy a hand massage. Wednesday's event was a focused on offering people who are caring for loved ones a chance to recharge.
Photo by Deb Gau Speaker and author Tom Guetzke, "The Happologist," talked with caregivers about strategies to help increase their own health and happiness.
Photo by Deb Gau People attending MADAN's Fall Caregiver Event in Marshall had a chance to socialize, relax, and even enjoy a hand massage. Wednesday's event was a focused on offering people who are caring for loved ones a chance to recharge.
Photo by Deb Gau Speaker and author Tom Guetzke, "The Happologist," talked with caregivers about strategies to help increase their own health and happiness.
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MARSHALL -- Caring for a loved one with dementia is a task that can take a lot of time and energy. Organizers of a Wednesday event in Marshall said they wanted to offer caregivers some time to rest and recharge.
"It's nice to put smiles on their faces," said Jane Nelson Como, Lyon County program manager for Advocate Connect Educate (A.C.E.) of Southwest Minnesota.
The Fall Caregiver Event, organized by the Marshall Area Dementia Awareness Network (MADAN) and A.C.E. of Southwest Minnesota, brought together a variety of self-care resources, and a presentation by author and speaker Tom Guetzke.
The morning started out with a chance for caregivers to socialize, enjoy treats and even get pampering like a hand massage. MADAN, and A.C.E. programs from both Lincoln and Lyon County, had educational and other resources available as well.
Guetzke is known as "the Happologist." His talk at Wednesday's event looked at some of the science and psychology behind happiness, and gave attendees some strategies to help increase their own health and happiness. Factors like isolation, and spending time comparing yourself to others through social media, can all have a negative impact on mental health and happiness, he said.
Guetzke said he enjoys speaking with care providers. He understood what they were going through, after caring for his own parents. "It can be a hard situation to stay positive," he said. Caregivers especially needed support and tools for happiness in their lives.
"This is kind of giving back for me," Guetzke said of his talk Wednesday.