Last Sunday, we held the judging of Today’s Caregiver magazine’s first annual Caregiver Friendly awards program. Although I knew we selected the right group of judges for the event, I was not ready for the commitment and dedication that they each brought to the task. It was an amazing and spirited day with every judge cautiously deliberating every single entry. I appreciate these busy folks spending their Sunday with us, but most of all I appreciate the value that they have given to each of the entrants. Whether they win an award or not, the comments the entrants will receive from this team of judges will make winners out of everyone, entrants and caregivers alike. 

I would also like to thank the new friends we made on the road this week. We held our first Tampa area Fearless Caregiver Forum on Tuesday, and I look forward to many more such events in the area. I really appreciate the great turnout and especially the interaction that the expert panel brought out in the room. There was so much exciting conversation in that room that I think if we didn’t have to stop for lunch, we’d still be there. And there were as many great answers coming from the attendees as the experts on the dais. But that is the real secret to being a Fearless Caregiver, after all. Learning to find wisdom where you can… from the professionals, the service providers and most especially, from one another.

I would also like to add to my list of thanks the caregivers in Savannah, Georgia that I met this past Friday. I was honored to be the first keynote speaker at the Coastal Georgia Area Agency on Aging’s annual conference. If this year was any indication, they will have to eventually build a stadium for this event. 

Next week, I’ll go through many of the clever solutions that caregivers are sharing with us during the Fearless Caregiver Forums.

 

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