The Putnam County Health Department is partnering with faith-based organizations to provide an informational event on resources available to help with aging.
Putnam County Health Department’s Tracy Bruneau said there are a lot of seniors and their family members who simply are not aware of programs that exist to help them. Bruneau said the department’s first event is geared to make connections.
“Helping those with the aging process navigate their way through things such as caregiving, support, dementia resources, legal resources,” Bruneau said. “Just partnering with our community to bring knowledge to those who who are unaware of what we have available here in Putnam County.”
Bruneau said one of the hurdles caregivers face is having enough time to work and care for their loved one.
“They’re having to quit their jobs, they’re decreasing their hours,” Bruneau said. “Or they’re trying to work and , you know, pay for in-home caregivers and then come home and caretaking throughout the remainder of the day and the night and it’s just complete burnout.”
Bruneau said she was the caregiver for her mother who suffered from dementia. Bruneau said she knows first hand how time-consuming it can be to find resources.
“If I had a moment to sit down, the last thing I wanted to do was try and find something,’ Bruneau said. “The resources are there. you just need to know where to look.”
The event is called Happy Hearts-Healthy Minds. It is sponsored by the Putnam County Health Department. It will take place Wednesday from 4:40pm to 6:30pm at the Willow Avenue Church of Christ in Cookeville.
