AgeWays Nonprofit Senior Services, a nonprofit focused on helping older adults and family caregivers, is hosting Caregiver Connections: Learn, Link & Lunch on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

A $10 entrance fee covers a light breakfast and boxed lunch — and a program that features two dynamic speakers who have been in the caregiving trenches, caregiver-focused exhibitors from the aging-services network, on-site help from the AgeWays Resource Center team, raffles, giveaways and more.

“We know that supporting family caregivers is critical to caring for the older adults in our region. They need information, resources and respite care. They can’t do it alone,” says AgeWays Director of Communications Kathleen Yanik. “The event is all about helping caregivers connect with resources and get the help they need.”

Christy McDonald, an Emmy award-winning TV personality at WDIV/TV 4, will give the keynote address, “Hope, Grief and The Unknown:  A Caregiver’s Journey.”

McDonald cared for her late husband, Jamie Samuelsen, a sportscaster who died of colon cancer in 2020. She will speak on “Hope, Grief and the Unknown: A Caregiver’s Journey” about her experience and what helped her through it. She’ll help caregivers embrace their own tough and beautiful moments — what makes us laugh and what gives us hope.

McDonald is raising her three children in her hometown of Troy.

Jim Mangi, PhD, will speak about his experience caregiving for his wife, who developed Alzheimer’s disease in her late 50s. A Saline resident and retired environmental scientist who has authored two books, Mangi is a powerful speaker who is often called upon to share his experience caring for his wife for the last 16 years. In his role as a volunteer community educator with the Alzheimer’s Association, he will speak on communicating with people who have dementia. Mangi’s talk will include how to manage behaviors and how to recognize when more help is needed.

Mangi also works with Area Agencies on Aging in his role as founder and chair of Dementia Friendly Saline, a nonprofit that helps persons dealing with dementia live their best lives in their communities, with less difficulty and more dignity.

Caregiver Connections will also feature attorney Jason Tower of Tower Karson in Livonia who will talk about important documents caregivers should have.

Organizers expect about 20 exhibitors who will offer resources designed to help caregivers. Resource specialists from AgeWays will be available onsite to work with caregivers one-on-one and help them connect to resources.

To register for the event, visit careconnections.eventbrite.com. You can also call 248-606-5798 if you have trouble registering online. Proceeds from the event will benefit Holiday Meals on Wheels.

Parking is free.

NOTE: If the entrance fee is a barrier, a fee waiver may be available. Please contact communications@ageways.org or 248-606-5798 for more information.

This content is provided by AgeWays Nonprofit Senior Services (the new name for the Area Agency on Aging 1-B), a nonprofit that serves older adults and family caregivers in Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw counties. We provide services, programs and resources that are designed to help seniors age safely and independently. Call us at 800-852-7795 to get connected.