Celebrating YOU 2017 Event
A Fun and Relaxing Day for Caregivers
Celebrating You!
Celebrating You! Our first caregiver day of fun and relaxation was a huge success. Hope Grows and the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden hosted 44 caregivers. The event was sponsored by UPMC for Life Health Plan and despite the rainy and over cast morning, the weather held out to make for a promising day. Much in-kind support was provided by many companies, organizations, and volunteers.
The event certainly lived up to its promise of a stress free day! Our caregiver guests were offered a wide range of activities to participate in, including garden tours, yoga and tai chi sessions, cooking demonstrations, hand and neck massages, and more. A beautiful breakfast buffet was provided in addition to a delicious boxed lunch with choice of sandwich, pasta salad, chips, and a cookie. Coffee, tea, and beverages were available for all throughout the day. Everything was available to caregivers at no charge to them.
Caregiver attendees expressed great appreciation for the opportunity to be there and experience the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Many had never been there before. They were able to explore the trails, gardens, and woodlands that are a part of the Garden’s 60 developed acres.
One participant said of the event, “This was absolutely perfect and an amazing blessing. Love your hearts.” Other comments included, “This was a much needed day!! Caregiving is physically and mentally exhausting.” “I am so impressed with everything and everyone involved.” Hope Grows is already in the planning process to hold this event again next year, tentatively scheduled for October 10, 2018.
Caregivers were provided resources for their care recipient needs and also for their own needs. Hope Grows offers a Think Caregiver program where caregivers can receive check-in phone calls and simple ‘self-care’ suggestions. Other services include the Root of Good Care Counseling Services for when caregiving becomes depressive, causes anxiety, or burnout or compassion fatigue, to name a few of the supports available through the mental health therapy that is offered. Hope Grows also offers Therapeutic Respite activities that are held once a month from a variety of activities that were offered during the Celebrating You event! We would like for you to stay connected with Hope Grows and consider getting involved in next year’s event or other events that can be found at www.hopegrows.org.
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