Released April 12, 2005

Hattiesburg- Family care giving is on the rise as America ages and more people with disabilities live in the community. Unpaid family caregivers are critical to the future health and welfare of all communities. As Rosalynn Carter once said, "There are only four kinds of people…those who have been caregivers, those who are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers."

The Institute for Disability Studies (Project ShareCare) at The University of Southern Mississippi, Forrest General Hospital, Jackson State University School of Social Work, Mississippi Family Caregiver Coalition and the Mississippi Department of Mental Health are sponsoring the Pine Belt Caregiver Resource Fair and Symposium on April 26 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Family Y in Hattiesburg to thank and support these caregivers, community members, and professionals working with these families. All family caregivers, especially those caring for adults over 60, are strongly encouraged to attend. There is no charge to attend the Resource Fair exhibits. Family caregivers will be able to get valuable information from various agencies offering services to caregivers at the Resource Fair.

There will also be a symposium on topics of interest to family caregivers, community members, and professionals working with families. Topics include "A Family Caregiver Story," "The Employed Family Caregiver," "Caregiving and Coping," "Grief and Loss," and "Resources for Family Caregivers" (a panel discussion). There is no charge for family caregivers. Professionals and non-caregivers symposium registration fee is $50. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available to a variety of professionals. To obtain a registration form, call IDS at 1-888-671-0051 or Theresia Ratliff at (601) 432-6818 or visit www.usm.edu/ids.

Project ShareCare is partially funded by the Southern Mississippi Area Agency on Aging. ShareCare is a project of the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS) at The University of Southern Mississippi. The Institute provides university training, community service activities, research, and information that promote the independence, productivity, and community inclusion of individuals with disabilities and their families. For more information about IDS, visit www.usm.edu/ids or call 1-888-671-0051 (TTY).

-30-