About 40 million people in the United States provide care to older adults and adults who have disabilities, according to the National Council on Aging.

The majority of those caregivers, the National Council says, are also holding down a job or have additional responsibilities.

To help support caregivers in Middle Georgia, Piedmont Macon and Gentiva Hospice are co-sponsoring the 2023 Caregivers Symposium on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. The event will be at Forest Hills Church, 1217 Forest Hill Road, in Macon from 9 a.m. to noon, with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m.

The symposium will be an opportunity for caregivers to hear the personal stories of others like them and to learn about resources available to them in the community.

Cesar Figueroa, M.D., medical director of Behavioral Health at Piedmont Macon Medical Center and the event’s keynote speaker, will discuss caregiver burnout and mental wellness care for caregivers.

“You have to take time to care for the caregiver,” he said. “Taking proper care of themselves is imperative for those providing support and comfort to their loved ones.”

Among the five other scheduled speakers is Cynthian Hartfield, lead chaplain at Piedmont Macon, who will share her experience as a caregiver for both of her parents. Other scheduled topics of discussion are caring for the caregiver and finding a caregiver-life balance, as well as information about assisted living and hospice care, said Franchetta Trawick, patient liaison and grief counselor for Piedmont Macon.

“Personally, this is a very important symposium to me, because I had been a caregiver for more than 20 years,” Trawick said. “I think this is a wonderful forum for caregivers who are dealing with the stresses and issues they face every day.”

The Sept. 21 symposium is free and open to the public. Registering prior to the event is strongly encouraged. Go towww.surveymonkey.com/r/MaconCaregivers to register.