June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

June 2, 2016Aging Life Care Professionals, Alzheimer'sAgingWell, EndAlz Callie Daters

June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. This month, the Aging Life Care Association™ (ALCA) recognizes the work of The Alzheimer’s Association to “uncover the truth about Alzheimer’s Disease.” As the #EndAlz campaign shines the spotlight on Alzheimer’s Disease, the ALCA blog will share information and resources to help support caregivers and family members impacted by Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s? Find Support from an Aging Life Care Manager™

Caring for someone with dementia can test even the strongest of relationships. The anxiety, agitation and erratic behavior often associated with dementia may be hard for a spouse or adult child to understand or manage.

If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, it is important to look for help and support from others. Asking for assistance or support does not make you less of a caregiver. In fact, it enables you to be a better caregiver. Your local Alzheimer’s Association is a great resource for information and support groups, and many communities have an Area Agency on Aging that may direct you to support services in your area.

Aging Life Care Managers™ are also an excellent source of information and support. Working with families, the expertise of Aging Life Care Manager provides the answers at a time of uncertainty. Their guidance leads families to the actions and decisions that ensure quality care and an optimal life for those they love, thus reducing worry, stress, and time off of work for family caregiversAging Life Care Managers work with families to find solutions to caregiving challenges and can help you

Aging Life Care Managers work with families to find solutions to caregiving challenges and can help you understand your loved one’s dementia and associated behaviors.

In this story, Aging Life Care Association member Gretchen Napier, BS, MS, CMC shares how her involvement saved a marriage and allowed the family to spend quality time together during the last year of their father’s life.

If you are caring for a loved one with dementia or know of someone who needs help, contact an Aging Life Care Manager. You can find an expert in your area at aginglifecare.org.

This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute, nor is it intended to be a substitute for, professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Information on this blog does not necessarily reflect official positions of the Aging Life Care Association™ and is provided “as is” without warranty. Always consult with a qualified professional with any particular questions you may have regarding your or a family member’s needs.

Stories From Aging Life Care Month

May 31, 2016Aging Life Care Professionals, Aging WellAging Life Care Month, Aging Well Callie Daters

Aging Life Care Professionals™ across the country celebrated National Aging Life Care™ Month by providing seminars, webinars, special events, open houses, and other educational activities for the public.

Many took to social media to share Aging Life Care stories via selfies and videos. Each week, ALCA asked members to share something from their world as Aging Life Care Professionals. During the month, several common themes emerged – a passion for helping families through difficult times, an appreciation for the wisdom of an older generation, resiliency, advocacy, care, and the need for daily hope and laughter. Below is a look at some of the stories shared during #AgingLifeCareMonth.

Week one: I am an Aging Life Care Professional™ Because…

Week two: What is Aging Life Care™?

Week three: The most valuable lesson I’ve learned from a client is…

Week four: The best advice I have for aging well is…

To learn more about Aging Life Care™ and to find an expert in aging well, visit aginglifecare.org.

Aging Life Care Managers Ensure Estate Plan Matches Reality of Care Needs

May 17, 2016Aging Life Care Professionals, Elder Law, Family Members, Financial, Guardianship, Long-Term CareAging Life Care Manager, Aging Well, Elder Law, estate planning Callie Daters

The typical estate planning team most often includes the attorney, an accountant, financial advisor, and sometimes an insurance professional. With the increased number of older adults in our society and the changing landscape of family systems, there is a growing need for an estate planning team to include the professionals who can make client-specific recommendations related to healthcare – Aging Life Care Managers™ (also known as geriatric care managers).

The Role of Aging Life Care Managers™ in Estate Planning*

by Jennifer T. Szakaly, MA, CMC & Amy Smialowicz Fowler, BA, CMC

Aging Life Care Managers, while not a new profession, are still relatively small in number and exposure. Pulling from skills sets that include nursing, gerontology, social work, counseling, and healthcare administration, care managers are equipped to manage family conflict and bring much-needed neutrality to toxic family relationships. Their expertise also makes them valuable members of the estate planning team due to the care manager’s ability to make recommendations related to the proper care of an older or disabled adult. Through comprehensive assessments that examine health & wellness, memory & mental health, social support networks, and financial resources, care managers can craft a long-term care plan that ensures the estate plan matches the reality of the client’s situation at home.

Resources for Aging

Aging Life Care Managers are able to help families sort through the rapidly growing assortment of services and resources aimed at keeping older adults independent later in life. Because of constant interaction with various service providers, care managers are familiar with the staff, strengths and weaknesses, and are able to make referrals based on the need of the client and their family. Attorneys often rely on care managers to determine appropriate level of care for clients and make recommendations for specific services that meet their clients’ needs.

Resistance to Care

After appropriate resources are identified, many families have difficulty getting the older adult to agree to care, whether being provided in the home or in a care community. The Aging Life Care Manager, as advocate, is tasked with ensuring that the older adult is encouraged to be as independent as possible, while also mitigating health and safety risks.

For an older adult who is resistant to assistance, Aging Life Care Managers can take the time to understand their fears and concerns. Equipped with this knowledge, they can work with the older adult to help them understand that the use of care isn’t a sign of disability, but rather an opportunity to focus on a client’s abilities, while being supported in other areas. Sometimes families consider guardianship because their loved ones’ reluctance in using support services is threatening their health and wellbeing. Care managers can quickly address these concerns by connecting with the older adult and are often able to eliminate the need for a guardianship.

Guardianship support

If a guardianship is needed, care managers can work closely with attorneys most importantly by assisting to determine the level of cognitive functioning of a client. Aging Life Care Managers are trained in the use of various cognitive assessments that can play an important part in determining when a person has reached the point of incompetency. Facilitating the collection of relevant medical documentation and creating a plan for post-guardianship is also part of this critical role.

Aging Life Care Managers often act in the role as a health care advocate for older adults who have a guardian. Frequent monitoring ensures that the older adult is receiving the appropriate care and that the guardian can make informed decisions as needs change.

Family Discord

Another trend in long-term care is the growing number of blended families and cases of estrangement in families. As most estate planning and Elder Law attorneys will attest to, this dynamic can be paralyzing to the estate planning process and can create practical challenges to an older adult who is in need of family support later in life.

When managing family conflict and disagreements about the care of a client, attorneys can pull in Aging Life Care Managers to provide an unbiased, informed position on what is best for the older adult. Care managers act as a mediator for families to allow each voice to be heard. This process empowers families and often enables them to move together on a plan for their loved one.

Exploitation

Cases of exploitation and fraud committed against older adults are on the rise due to the technology that makes carrying out identity theft easier than ever. Aging Life Care Managers are knowledgeable about both strategies for preventing acts of exploitation, as well as warning signs to look for that an older adult may be making themselves vulnerable to a threat. The care manager’s ability to step in when family is absent, or if a family member presents the greatest threat, provides an additional protective barrier between areas of risk and older adults.

Future Considerations

With an aging population and increasing complexity in estate planning, we can expect that the need for an augmented team to put together a comprehensive plan will only increase in coming years. Whether you use an Aging Life Care Manager as a resource for your office, or as part of your client’s estate planning & care team, broadening the resources available to you as an attorney will ultimately enhance the value you bring to your clients. To find someone to work with who is nationally certified as a care manager, you can visit the website for the Aging Life Care Association at www.aginglifecare.org for a complete directory.

About the authors: Jennifer T. Szakaly, MA, CMC is a nationally certified care manager who openened Caregiving Corner, a Charlotte-based care management firm, in 2005. She can be reached at 704.492.0554 or by email at jennifer@caregivingcorner.com. Amy Smialowicz Fowler, BA, CMC is a nationally certified care manager and owner of WNC Geriatric Care Management based in Asheville, NC. She can be reached at 828.776.4269 or by email at amy@wncgcm.org.

*This article first appeared in the April 2016 issue of Gray Matters – a special publication of the Elder & Special Needs Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association.

Choosing the Best Incontinence Product

May 10, 2016Aging in Place, Aging Life Care Professionals, CaregivingAging Well, continence management, incontinence, incontinence products Callie Daters

Incontinence isn’t the easiest topic to discuss; but when ignored, incontinence can cause bigger problems – depression, social isolation, infection. With proper assessment and guidance, aging adults can greatly improve their quality of life by selecting the right incontinence product to meet individual incontinence challenges.

Consider These Factors When Selecting the Right Incontinence Product

by Lucille Levine, RN, BSN – Aging Life Care Association™ Corporate Partner

Life’s choices are best navigated through the experience of others. Aging Life Care Professionals™ guide aging adults and families through a complex maze of resources and options to facilitate successful aging in place, including the challenging topic of incontinence. Incontinence is an issue which needs to be addressed to reduce social isolation, prevent secondary health issues and reduce the need for long-term care admission. Beyond the need for timely medical intervention, selecting the appropriate products to effectively manage incontinence plays a pivotal role in the quality of life of aging adults and their caregivers.

Advertisements and personal care aisles of stores feature products which lead one to believe that their products will be the best solution for any person struggling with incontinence. It is not that easy. No two people or their incontinence challenges are alike.

A number of factors must be considered in making the best product choice. Daytime needs and nighttime incontinence product needs are different. Fall risk and the need for overnight staff assistance can be limited by proper product use. The incontinence’s degree of bother to the client and caregivers along with medical history, medication regimen are key factors in product choice. The frequency, volume and source of incontinence, physical abilities, lifestyle and mental acuity of the client will steer the decision regarding the product style, features and absorbency for the client’s unique needs.

Optimally absorbing and containing products should be selected to preserve dignity, promote continence through toileting and allow ease of client use. Common errors leading to ‘product failure’ and leakage include the use of cumbersome products, double product use and the use of oversized products which are not ‘body close’.

Aging Life Care Professionals consult with a Continence Management Product Consultant to explore product options based upon a detailed review of the situation and to sample a variety of products. Involving those who are directly involved in the care of the incontinent individual in the consultation process is also beneficial to successfully finding the right product.

About the author: Lucille Levine, RN, BSN is the founder of Disposables Delivered, LLC and is a Continence Management Product Consultant and an ALCA Corporate Partner. For more information, contact Disposables Delivered at 1-866-613-3251. This post first appeared on the Aging Life Care Association’s Mid-Atlantic Chapter Blog.

May is National Aging Life Care Month

May 2, 2016Aging Life Care Professionals, EventsAging Life Care Month Callie Daters

The Aging Life Care Association (ALCA) – the nonprofit association representing 2,000 leaders in Aging Life Care™ / geriatric care management – will celebrate the profession during the month of May. Special events come on the heels of a sold-out professional conference in New York, where presenters and participants tackled the toughest issues related to aging today.

What is Aging Life Care™ and Why Should I Care?

While the practice and profession of Aging Life Care is not new, there is more attention being paid to the impact our aging population has on communities and resources. Aging Life Care plays an important role as these professionals are prepared to help aging adults plan for and face age-related challenges.

Aging Life Care is a holistic, client-centered approach to caring for older adults or others facing health challenges. The Aging Life Care Professional™ is a health and human services specialist who is a guide, advocate, and resource for families caring for an older relative or disabled adult. Working with families, the expertise of Aging Life Care Professionals provides the answers at a time of uncertainty. Their guidance leads families to the actions and decisions that ensure quality care and an optimal life for those they love, thus reducing worry, stress and time off of work for family caregivers.

They have extensive knowledge about the costs, quality, and availability of resources in their communities. Aging Life Care Professionals are members of the Aging Life Care Association® (ALCA), must meet stringent education, experience, and certification requirements of the organization, and all members are required to adhere to a strict code of ethics and standards of practice.

Aging Life Care Professionals throughout the country will celebrate National Aging Life Care Month by providing seminars, webinars, special events, open houses, and other educational activities for the public. For more information, and locations of Aging Life Care Professionals, visit ALCA’s website aginglifecare.org.

The association was formed in 1985 by a group of about 50 members – mainly social workers and nurses – who came together to build a profession from the ground up. “Our association was the first to represent the pioneers in a growing and developing field,” said ALCA CEO Kaaren Boothroyd.

“ALCA recognizes the vulnerable population our professionals serve, so we have developed the highest standards by which to hold our members accountable – for both the protection of the client and the public.”

Aging Life Care Professionals may be trained in any of a number of fields related to long-term care. These include counseling, gerontology, mental health, nursing, occupational therapy, psychology, social work, and other allied health professions, with a specialized focus on issues related to aging.

Supporting Caregivers

April 27, 2016Aging Life Care Professionals, Aging Parents, Annual Conference, Caregiving, Family Memberscaregiving, Experts in Aging Well, Terry Fulmer Callie Daters

Caregivers are America’s modern day superheroes, just as Terry Fulmer describes in a recent NextAvenue.org article. While there are resources and support systems out there to help, they are not always easy to find or accessible to all. As Fulmer points out in her article, it often takes the help of a paid Aging Life Care Professional™ (also known as a geriatric care manager) to work out the right combination of services and support. So how can an Aging Life Care Manager™ be the Robin to your Batman?

Aging Life Care Managers™: Supporting Superhero Caregivers

At the recent Aging Life Care Association™ annual conference Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, RAAN of the John A. Harford Foundation spoke to nearly 400 Aging Life Care Professionals about national trends in aging and the impacts on the population. As Dr. Fulmer discussed in her presentation and points out in “Superheroes of Caregiving Need Better Support”, there are more than 30 million family caregivers of older adults providing unpaid care worth $470 billion annually (AARP).

But Fulmer sees this increased need of family caregivers as part of a larger, positive picture. “Our aging population represents a powerful success story that has increased lifespans and enabled millions of people to live well into their 70s, 80s, 90s and beyond,” writes Fulmer.

Family caregivers, however, can’t bear the burden alone. “Caregiver superheroes deserve a super system that will allow them to focus on the vulnerable people they love, maintain their own health and take off the cape.”

While various support systems and resources are available, caregivers are often too entrenched in the day-to-day challenges to find the right mix of services for their loved one. Aging Life Care Professionals offer the support caregivers need to “take off the cape.”

Working with families, the expertise of Aging Life Care Professionals provides the answers at a time of uncertainty. Their guidance leads families to the actions and decisions that ensure quality care and an optimal life for those they love, thus reducing worry, stress and time off of work for family caregivers through:

Assessment and monitoring
Planning and problem-solving
Education and advocacy
Family caregiver coaching

If you know a superhero caregiver or if you are a superhero caregiver, you can find support from an Aging Life Care Professional. Visit the Aging Life Care Association’s Consumer Library for free resources to help you strengthen your network of support.

ALCA Conference Draws Leading Experts in Aging

April 11, 2016Aging Life Care Professionals, Aging Well, Alzheimer's, Annual Conference, EventsAging Well, ALCA Conference Callie Daters

The fast-growing body of knowledge on Alzheimer’s Disease requires professionals in the field of aging to stay abreast not only of medical developments, but impacts of the disease on families and communities. An upcoming New York conference sets the research within the context of American lives.

Aging Life Care Association Returns to New York to Bring Latest Alzheimer’s Research to Life

The Aging Life Care Association Conference, being held in New York, April 15-17, 2016, will feature experts in aging speaking on the latest research and treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease. This event marks the return of this professional group to New York after 31 years. When they were last in New York their membership numbered about 50; today their number is close to 2,000.

The conference begins with Stephen G. Post, PhD, author of what has been called a “medical classic of the century, The Moral Challenge of Alzheimer’s Disease: Ethical Issues from Diagnosis to Dying and Director, Center for Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care and Bioethics, Stony Brook University speaking on “Hope in Caring for the Deeply Forgetful.”

Howard Fillit, MD, a geriatrician, neuroscientist, and leading expert in Alzheimer’s disease, from the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, will talk about “Conquering Alzheimer’s: From Drug Discovery to Quality Care.”

Aging Life Care Annual Conference — For complete conference information or to register, download a registration brochure.

“As Aging Life Care Professionals we work to understand the complexity and challenges of living with or caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. Our work guides clients to the actions and decisions that ensure quality of care and an optimal life for those they love,” says Aging Life Care Association™ president Dianne McGraw, LCSW, CMC. “We are here to reduce worry, stress and time off of work for family caregivers.”

The 3-day conference – drawing nearly 400 experts in aging – also includes presentations by experts on topics that include Elder Neglect and Abuse, Medicare, Person-Centered Advance Care Planning, Frontotemporal Degeneration, Creative Arts in Care Plans, Substance Use Disorders in Older Adults, and the Neurology of Happiness. For a full schedule, visit aginglifecare.org.

Careers in Aging Week – April 3 – 9, 2016

April 7, 2016Aging Life Care Professionals, Care Managers#CIAW, Aging Life Care Manager, Careers in Aging Week Callie Daters

Do you have a passion for helping aging adults and their families? Are you looking for a rewarding health and social services career? During Careers in Aging Week, take a closer look at the growing, in-demand field of Aging Life Care™ .

Be an Advocate…Be an Aging Life Care Manager™

by Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC, Aging Life Care Association™ Member and Fellow of the Leadership Academy

Aging Life Care Professionals™, also known as Geriatric Care Managers are in demand with the Baby Boomers stepping into their retirement years at a fast pace. The increasing number of families struggling with aging-related challenges becomes an opportunity to move your career toward a private or group practice in order to meet the needs of many in need of an advocate with expertise.

This could be a career journey junction for you if your current position does not provide you with job satisfaction, or if your values and that of your employer are at a crossroad. For many of us, becoming an Aging Life Care Professional was a second career after working for years in the medical, government, or non-profit worlds. We wanted a longer term relationship with clients, and we wanted to make a difference in people’s lives.

It is a profession where you can set your own hours and limit the time and energy you want to expend on your career – many solo practitioners support and collaborate with one another to facilitate time away and a balanced life.

You do need experience with older adults and educational training that supports your expertise in this field. The Aging Life Care Association™, formerly known as the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, has supported professionals in this field for 30 years. All members adhere to a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, and are provided continuing education, support, and “know how” from colleagues around the country.

As a professional in the field since 1984, I can say this career has been a highlight of my life, and never a “job.” My personal path took me from a solo practice in 1989 to a large practice of over 20 care managers and we have added other services to our menu, as many of my colleagues across the country have done as well.

Aging Life Care Professionals are skilled in doing comprehensive assessments, writing up care plans for families, referring to solid, well-known resources, being aware of and referring clients to entitlements, as well as long-term advocacy and monitoring of older adults or younger disabled adults in any setting – from home to skilled nursing. You may have a specific interest, passion, or area of expertise that will become the focus of your practice – that special gift you bring can be what will set you apart.

You can blossom as an expert with the support you need from an organization that listens, supports, and provides learning opportunities in many formats. Join us if you want a career that matters.

ALCA is hosting its 32nd Annual Conference in Brooklyn, NY April 15 – 17, 2016. Nearly 400 Aging Life Care Professionals will meet to tackle the toughest issues related to aging today. To learn more about a career in Aging Life Care and about the Aging Life Care Association, visit aginglifecare.org.

About the author: Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC, is the Founder and President of Eldercare Services in Walnut Creek, CA. She is also a partner of the VillagePlan. Linda is a Fellow of the Leadership Academy and past-president of the Aging Life Care Association. Linda has over 30 years experience working as a Care Manager. You can reach her at linda@EldercareAnswers.com, or connect with her via social media: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Reduce Falls for People with Parkinson’s

April 5, 2016Aging in Place, Aging WellParkinson's, Parkinson's Awareness Month, reduce falls Callie Daters

According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, an estimated 7 to 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s disease, a chronic and progressive movement disorder for which there is no cure. For people living with Parkinson’s, falls are a frequent and hazardous complication because of the symptoms related to Parkinson’s – muscular stiffness, freezing, shuffling gait, balance impairment or stooped posture.

Be Proactive: 12 Tips to Reduce Falls for People Living with Parkinson’s Disease

by Amy Natt, MS, CMC, CSA – Aging Life Care Association™ Member

If you have Parkinson’s and live alone, being proactive and planning ahead can help you reduce your fall risk and maintain your independence. Gait is one of the most affected motor characteristics of Parkinson’s disease (PD). While it affects each person differently, falls are a common challenge to address. The Parkinsonian gait is characterized by small shuffling steps and a general slowness. For those living with PD, reduced stride length and walking speed are common, as well as difficulty starting, and difficulty stopping after starting. Poor balance and unstable posture can also lead to increased falls. It is important to always report these to your physician.

There are several things you can do to be proactive around the house in an attempt to reduce falls for people living with Parkinson’s disease:

1. Before you start a movement, get your balance. If necessary, hold on to something until you feel steady, and then start forward motion.

2. Consider physical therapy programs. You can learn exercises to help maintain balance and movement.

3. Find a community support group. You can share success strategies with others diagnosed with PD.

4. Recognize that at some point a piece of mobility equipment may be necessary to help keep you safe. With all the choices on the market, you can find something that fits your lifestyle.

5. Arrange furniture to create a clear walking path. You can place furniture in strategic places to provide a place to hold onto if you lose your balance.

6. Remove throw rugs and narrow carpet runners. These can create an edge that may cause you to trip or catch your foot.

7. Pay attention to your footwear. Socks may be too slippery but heavy soles may catch or make it harder to lift your foot. See a specialist to get the right pair of shoes.

8. Have grab bars or secure rails placed in strategic places. These allow for increased balance and something to safely grab for support. Use a professional to properly install them.

9. Make sure you have adequate lighting, especially at night.

10. Keep the products you use on a routine basis between eye and waist level. You don’t want to have to bend down or reach up to get an item. There is no need to create unnecessary risk.

11. Place reflective tape on steps. This helps with depth perception.

12. Consider an emergency alert button. If you do have a fall, these aids provide you with a way to call for help. Do not assume you can get to a phone.

The PD symptoms that can impact your gait can progress over time. Be in tune to changes that you experience and put safety measures in place before you need them. Create a safety net in your environment to enable you to remain as independent as possible. If you are in need of specific recommendations for your home, find a certified aging-in-place specialist, Parkinson’s specialty clinic, or an Aging Life Care Manager™ who can help you assess your home environment and provide you with additional feedback and resources.

About the author: Amy Natt, MS, CMC, CSA is the CEO of Aging Outreach Services in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Amy also serves as the President of the Southeast Chapter of the Aging Life Care Association. She can be reached at amyn@agingoutreachservices.com.

Disrupt Dementia: Special Webinar with Dr. Bill Thomas

March 30, 2016Alzheimer's, Dementia, EventsAge of Disruption Tour, Aging Well, Disrupt Aging, Disrupt Dementia, Free Webinar Callie Daters

“What we need is a radical reinterpretation of longevity that makes elders (and their needs) central to our collective pursuit of happiness and well-being.” – Dr. Bill Thomas. You are invited to join ALCA for a webinar event with Special Guest Bill Thomas who will speak on disrupting stereotypes regarding dementia and The Age of Disruption Tour. The webinar is free and will last approximately 40 minutes including Q&A.

Special ALCA Event: Disrupt Dementia – a FREE Webinar Featuring Dr. Bill Thomas

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

12:00 pm ET, 11:00 am CT, 10:00 am MT, 9:00 am PT

Bill Thomas disrupt dementia webinar — Disrupt Dementia – Special ALCA Webinar with Dr. Bill Thomas

Dr. Bill Thomas has built a reputation as one the most eclectic and creative thinkers working in the field of medicine. Author, entrepreneur, musician, teacher, farmer, and physician, Dr. Thomas’ wide-ranging work explores the terrain of human aging. Named by The Wall Street Journal as one of the top ten Americans shaping aging, Dr. Thomas is internationally known for his health care system innovations. He is the founder of the a global non-profit (The Eden Alternative) and creator of The Green House Project, radical new approaches to reform long-term care. Dr. Thomas also developed the Senior ER model of care and is now working to transform the acute care services provided to elders.

Join ALCA for this FREE webinar event. Dr. Thomas will speak on disrupting stereotypes regarding dementia and The Age of Disruption Tour. The Tour invites people living with dementia and those who care about them to experience a new vision of intergenerational engagement and help re-imagine the way society thinks about and treats people living with forgetfulness.

To register for this special event webinar, visit the ALCA Calendar of Events page here. The webinar is free and will last approximately 40 minutes including Q&A.

Special thank you to Windward Life Care (formerly Elder Care Guides) for sponsoring this event.