By Tirzah Rowland
An elder care panel, hosted by retired elder law attorney Carol Applegate, is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at the community room at the Carmel Clay Public Library, 425 E. Main St. in Carmel. It is open to anyone seeking information about elder care resources.
The event, featuring local experts and caregivers, aims to educate the public about making Carmel a better place for elderly residents to live and aims to provide an overview of related community resources and needs, according to Applegate.
“I am now retired but still see the importance of representing our elders and families in voicing their concerns and improving their quality of life,” Applegate said. “Education is the first step to identifying these issues and then finding solutions for families.”
At the event, Applegate will discuss the needs of caregivers from her experience as both an elder law attorney and registered nurse.
Panelists include Dr. Laurie Gutmann, chair of the department of neurology at Indiana University School of Medicine; Gary Wagner, executive director of PrimeLife Enrichment in Carmel; Jayme E. Donnelson, partner and elder law attorney at Hess, Hess & Donnelson in Carmel; Jeannette Bajalia, president and founder of Woman’s Worth. Additional speakers will share about navigating caregiving roles.
“Each one of the panel members has a deep passion for our elderly population and has devoted their lives to helping and serving families and those affected by aging,” Applegate said. “We are fortunate to live in a community that wants to listen to the needs and concerns of our elderly population.”
Topics will include financial and emotional needs of the elderly and their caregivers, housing/care facilities, elder law, memory care, navigating a difficult diagnosis and how brain health impacts families and communities.
“Future, more in-depth seminars will follow this introduction to the major issues. Everyone is affected with a disease process or aging parents and need this vital information to survive,” Applegate said.
The event is free and pre-registration is not required. Coffee and bagels will be served.
