Prestige Assisted Living at Visalia Hosts Speaker Series on Joys and Challenges of Caregiving

VISALIA, Calif., Feb. 18, 2011,/PRNewswire/ -- Caring for aging loved ones can put even the most dedicated caregivers' strength to the test.  To help navigate a caregiver's challenges, Prestige Assisted Living at Visalia will host a speaker series that offers solutions for making difficult decisions about senior-care issues, beginning Wednesday, Feb. 23.  

Author and keynote speaker Elaine Sanchez will join Prestige on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 10 a.m. to present "Boot Camp: Getting Prepared to Care for Family Elders," which offers participants a step-by-step process that helps caregivers facilitate conversations with family elders about the difficult decisions we face as we age.  

"We're excited to welcome Elaine's caregiving expertise at Visalia, and we look forward to discussing some of the joys and challenges we share as senior caregivers," said Helen Hurley, executive director at Prestige Assisted Living at Visalia. "At Prestige, we are dedicated to providing the highest standard of quality care, and Elaine's teachings are a great reflection of the power of providing quality care from a passionate heart."  

Sanchez facilitates in-depth conversations about difficult issues including long-term care and end-of-life planning, assessing safety and resources, gathering and organizing essential information and negotiating Medicare and Medicaid decisions.

In March, Sanchez will return to Visalia to present the second installment in Prestige's speaker series and will host a workshop on the strengths – physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual – required of senior caregivers.  

Her second program on March 23, "Caregiver Survival: Finding Hope and Humor in Caregiving," features stories from her book Letters from Madelyn, Chronicles of a Caretaker that highlight the attitude, understanding and personal appreciation of a fulfilled caregiver.

Sanchez is the author of four books, has been published in numerous print publications and is a member of the National Speakers Association. She regularly instructs caregivers on critical matters in caring for elderly loved ones and on the importance of caring for themselves.

The public is encouraged to attend both presentations: "Boot Camp: Getting Prepared to Care for Family Elders" on Feb. 23 and "Caregiver Survival: Finding Hope and Humor in Caregiving" on March 23 at Prestige Assisted Living at Visalia. The cost is $30 per person, and lunch and a caregiver workbook is included.

About Prestige Assisted Living at Visalia

Located in Visalia, Calif., Prestige Assisted Living at Visalia is part of a family of senior living communities operated through a philosophy of caring. With more than 50 communities located throughout the U.S., Prestige Senior Living is based on a core value system of respect, integrity, commitment and trust that serves as the bedrock of every Prestige Care and Prestige Senior Living community. For more information on Prestige Senior Living, visit their Web site at www.prestigecare.com.

SOURCE Prestige Care