The Senior Resource Alliance of Santa Clarita Valley held a workshop for caregivers at Oakmont of Santa Clarita on Saturday.
The workshop, called “4 Keys to Caregiving: What Every Family Needs to Know,” provided information for caregivers based on the advice of professionals with experience on different life necessities relevant to seniors, like health care, hospice care and reverse mortgages.
“It’s a well-rounded group of professionals who work together to provide education on several different aspects for caring for an aging loved one,” said Mary Dembkowski, an alliance member and marketing director of the new Oakmont of Valencia.
Members included elder law attorneys, retirement plan specialists and geriatric care managers, along with representatives who work with the SCV Senior Center, the Alzheimer’s Association and UCLA Health.
The alliance also explained to caregivers and adult children about what their options will be when their parent or a relative ages and will require different services for help. Dembkowski said alliance members can provide financial help, as well as assistance with legal services, in-home care and health care programs such as Medicare and Medi-Cal.
As the workshop continued, guests received information for “end of life care,” in preparation for when a parent or senior in need of care passes away.
“We feel that planning is key, so being able to educate on what’s available — we want to help,” Dembkowski said.
Guests feel confident, she added, listening to what the alliance has to offer.
“Because I’ve been acquainted with (alliance members), it gives me confidence when a family comes to me asking for reputable resources,” she said.
Established in 2008, the Senior Resource Alliance meets once a month planning on future free events to further educate the community, Dembkowski said.
For more information, go to srascv.org or call 661-383-1772.
