The Friends of Rogers Free Library are sponsoring a series of 6 new programs for caregivers and others who may be coping with a serious illness or interested in issues around aging. It will begin on Tuesday April 9th at the Bristol Library (525 Hope Street) at 3 pm in the Herreshoff Room. It is coordinated by Bonnie Evans, a geriatric nurse practitioner, caregiver advocate, and end-of-life doula. Programs can be attended in person or accessed online through the library website https://rogersfreelibrary.org/featured-programs/ . Light refreshments will be served with time to continue the conversation after each program. There is no registration necessary. Attend one or all six in person or on Zoom and share this with a friend.
Dates and scheduled topics include:
April 9th: A Menu of Tips for Resilient Caregiving
We will discuss practical tips for current and future caregivers that can help sustain them in this important work. It all starts with soup as a symbol for comfort and staying connected. “It takes a village”.
April 23rd: Balancing Caregiver Support While Honoring Independence
Trying to keep a loved one safe while also supporting their dignity and autonomy can lead to conflict. Maybe driving is no longer safe, a home needs to be modified, or help is needed but resisted. Let’s review some guiding principles.
May 7th: Anticipatory Grief & Loss
Grief can surface well before a death or loss (divorce, illness) and can go unrecognized in ourselves and in others. Let’s talk about possible symptoms and how to support each other along the way.
May 21st: View and Discuss the Documentary “In the Realm of Death & Dreaming”
Fascinating interviews with people who’ve had near death experiences nurses, chaplains and physicians to investigate whether there may be consciousness after death. There will be time to have a discussion on this interesting, uplifting, and beautifully filmed documentary.
June 4th: An Introduction to the Village Common of Rhode Island
Susan McCalmont from the Barrington Village will review this neighborhood approach to coordinating services for older adults to '“age in place”. It is a non-profit volunteer-driven membership organization. There are 6 villages so far in RI and this information may be the inspiration for one here in Bristol.
June 18th: Our Own Death Cafe
This concept of gathering over tea and cake and having an open discussion around life, death, and what really matters to us, originated in the UK and has now gone global. After a brief introduction, we will follow the conversation wherever it leads us, This will bring our spring program to a close.