This past Sunday, more than 700 people (some hailing from as far as Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Florida and beyond) arrived at the Eldercare Plus Conference and Vendor Expo Showcase hosted by Achiezer at the New York’s LaGuardia Marriott Hotel. The attendees arrived hoping to become informed on how to be a more responsible and better caregiver.
Upon arrival, guests had a chance to browse a showcase featuring over 50 exhibits, ranging from a variety of senior services and centers, assisted living facilities and nursing homes, financial institutions, elder law attorneys and advisors, medical equipment and respiratory therapy solutions.
Some highlights from the 20 sessions that ran throughout the day include a session on dementia given by Mrs. Hennie Friedman and Dr. Elliot Salamon. When Mr. Ronald Spirn, Esq., spoke about financial planning, there were no seats left in the room—the door remained open and many people tried listening in from the hallway. Dr. Zev Carrey led two sessions on the varied opinions regarding keeping one’s loved ones at home or enrolling them in a nursing home; both sessions were crowded and many stayed at the conclusion for Q&A. HaRav Yaakov Bender addressed a packed session about how to care for your loved one from afar. Dr. Rachel Lowinger hosted two very popular sessions offering a great deal of valuable information to caregivers on how to care for themselves.
Other highlights included retirement planning, the special needs child, Rabbi Tzvi Flaum and Dr. Martin Grossman about critically ill patients, and the “ABCs of Medicare” given by Mrs. Lea Gould—many noted that this session provided a clear, new understanding of how Medicare works.
The Nachum Segal Show held a two-hour live radio broadcast in the hotel lobby. Segal had the opportunity to meet, greet and interview many of the key attendees, presenters, vendors and Achiezer representatives who helped assemble the event. Gourmet Glatt of Cedarhurst sponsored a delectable lunch spread and a tea room which was open for the duration of the conference.
With needs ever evolving, information constantly changing and roles suddenly progressing through the various stages of caregiving, Eldercare has become a once-a-year “can’t miss event” for the Jewish caregiver.
Achiezer wishes to extend its gratitude to Gourmet Glatt for its friendship and sponsorship, as well as the three event sponsors—Caring Professionals, MJHS and Sentosa Care for their generous contributions and for playing an active role in many of the phases planning and executing the event. Achiezer extends its appreciation to Senior Care EMS for sponsoring and hosting on-site health screenings for all attendees.
Additional thanks to the many vendors who participated and assisted Achiezer in carrying out our mission of providing the community with the tools, techniques and solutions to the challenges they face as caregivers.
Audio, video and photographs of the event are all available on the Achiezer website at www.achiezer.org or by calling the office at (516) 791-4444.
(Credit: Moshe Gershbaum Photography)
