Cornerstone VNA hosts free caregiver event

Adrienne Cress
Adrienne Cress

ROCHESTER – Cornerstone VNA, a local nonprofit home health provider, announces the eighth annual Caregivers Connect, a special supportive event for family caregivers in the community. This free in-person event will take place at the Comfort Inn & Suites in Dover on Wednesday, May 8, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., and is generously underwritten by First Seacoast Bank.

Attendees will hear from guest speaker Adrienne Cress, LCMHC, REAT, Registered Expressive Arts Therapist, and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. Adrienne will present “Tending to the Self with SoulCollage®”.  SoulCollage is a creative practice available to anyone who can wield a pair of scissors with an open mind. Caregivers will learn this simple yet intuitive collage practice as an instrument of connection with the strengths of their intricate psyche, their ‘Higher Self’, their beloved community, and animal companions. In a supportive and non-judgmental environment, participants will make their own SoulCollage card and learn in small groups how to hear the wisdom of their creations using the “I Am One Who” exercise. In addition, each caregiver registrant who attends this event on May 8 will receive a complimentary journal, a special quilt from the Cocheco Quilters Guild, and a delicious smoothie treat from Tropical Smoothie Café.

Julie Reynolds, RN, MS, President/CEO of Cornerstone VNA shares, “We are so proud to be able to offer this wonderful annual community gathering for area family caregivers. Our theme this year underscores the remarkable support caregivers give their loved ones.” Janice Howard, Life Care – Private Duty Director at Cornerstone VNA adds, “Getting together with other caregivers really makes a difference. It’s all about sharing our stories and feeling understood in our journey of caring for someone we love or a friend. We’re super excited about our annual Caregivers Connect! It’s one of those events we’re really proud of because it helps us better support the amazing family caregivers in our communities.”

To register for Caregivers Connect or to learn more, call 800-691-1133 x1109 or visit https://cornerstonevna.org/event/caregivers-connect-2024/. In addition to this special annual event, Cornerstone VNA provides family caregiver support throughout the year, including monthly Caregiver Cafés in collaboration with four local libraries in Farmington, Strafford, Dover, and Wolfeboro. Learn more about caregiver resources and support at https://cornerstonevna.org/caregiver-support/.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Cornerstone VNA hosts free caregiver event