This is where the Centre County Adult Children of Aging Parents steps in. Presented to the county commissioners on Tuesday by Foxdale Village health care admissions coordinator Meghan O’Brien, ACAP seeks to “support adult child caregivers as we care for our aging parents and ourselves.”
Founded in Centre County in May, O’Brien said, the organization originated in North Carolina. Now, as a nonprofit, ACAP offers free monthly educational programs designed for adult caregivers in the community.
Programs are available to all who want to attend, she said, and area speakers are invited to address a number of topics. Past topics included depression and aging, using services in the community, and financial and legal documents.
“We’re at the age when we might not see our limitations,” she said, “and as adult children, we need to educate ourselves.”
The organization relies on corporate and monthly sponsorships for funding, O’Brien said, and has received contributions from Foxdale Village, HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital and Penn State Hershey Medical Center. But ACAP is always looking to the community to keep up and running.
“Any community outreach efforts you can make will be greatly appreciated,” she told the commissioners.
ACAP’s free programs are offered on the second Tuesday of every month at the Country Inn and Suites on East College Avenue in State College, she said. The next program is slated for Dec. 8 and will cover caregiving at a distance. The program is free, and an RSVP is requested by not required.
ACAP can be reached at 877-599-ACAP (2227).