Applied Caregiver Skills at Home: A Practical Guide for Families
Join us for an informative and supportive session designed for anyone beginning the journey of caring for an aging parent or loved one. This talk will cover essential caregiver skills, including how to spot signs of common medical conditions, recognize and manage anxiety or depression, organize and monitor medications, and keep track of basic financial matters. We’ll also explore how to find, hire, and manage paid caregiving help at home. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to feel more confident in your role, this session offers practical tools and insights to help you navigate caregiving with clarity and compassion.
Program Presenters: Julie Merrill and Evelina Kassai
Julie Merrill, Co-Chair, Adult Children for Aging Parents, has invested nearly 20 years of her professional career in being a trusted advisor to her clients as a Patient Advocate, Long Term Care Insurance Policy expert, and Paralegal due to her knowledge of Advance Care Planning from her time in the financial services and insurance sectors to the past 12 years in the healthcare industry.
After working in the senior living sector for 4 years, Julie followed her passion into home care which has been her focus for the last 8 years. Julie is currently Director of Business Development for Sunshine Home Health Services, located in Wyckoff, New Jersey specializing in Private Pay, Companion Care, Medicaid, and Veteran’s home care services. Sunshine is a trusted and long-time preferred provider of the Valley Hospital health system which includes their hospital, home care, and hospice divisions. Julie looks forward to connecting with and assisting the Adult Children of Aging Parents in Bergen County to be a resource to them in their time of need.
Evelna Kassai, RN has been a nurse for 17 years, with experience in long-term care and subacute settings, as well as brief experience in adult psychiatric care.
In 2014, she discovered her true calling in home care. Since then, she has been providing skilled nursing, private duty nursing, and helping seniors live with dignity, independence, and comfort in the place they call home. During each visit, she establishes meaningful connections with her clients and their families, ensuring they feel supported throughout the entire process.
Her journey in healthcare has provided her with a unique perspective on the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of individuals, particularly those navigating the complexities of aging. She is currently enrolled in a Master of Science in Nursing program, and her goal is to become a geriatric nurse practitioner.