Posted on 08.14.20

The Frederick Elder Services Provider Council is usually buzzing this time of year preparing for its annual Elder Expo and Caregiver Conference. Held in October, last year’s event attracted close to 1,000 seniors. Participants were able to interact with agencies and organizations specializing in the needs of the elderly.

But this year, COVID-19 had other ideas.

The 2020 Expo has been cancelled and the Caregiver Conference, which was a part of the event, has been re-vamped. Committee members will continue to provide much-needed education and information to residents supporting aging family members through A Compass for Caregivers: Finding Your Way, an online series held the second Thursday of the month from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., using the Zoom format. Before the series begins, the Elder Services Pro-vider Council will offer Zoom training provided by the Frederick Division of Senior Services.

“There is so much information that caregivers need right now and we want to continue to keep that information out there,” says Christina Forbes, director at Daybreak Adult Day Services and president of the Elder Services Provider Council. “The committee is excited to present a wide variety of speakers on some exciting and necessary topics.”

The first session will be “Navigating the Pandemic” and will be held Aug. 13 with guest speaker Dr. Randall Culpepper, deputy medical officer from the Frederick County Health Department. Time will be allotted for participants to submit questions and get answers. Visit the council website at www.espc.org for updates and information about future topics and how to register.