Kari Berit presenting to local Woodburn community members.
Salem Health and the Salem Health Foundations were pleased to present Kari Berit, an expert on aging and caregiving, in our fall Community Health Impact speaker series early this November 2024. Kari Berit presented across four local communities in Dallas, Salem, Stayton, and Woodburn, this impactful event sought to raise awareness about the often-overlooked toll that family caregiving can take on individuals and families, with a particular focus on the complex dynamics between adult children and their aging parents.
Kari is an experienced caregiver, advocate, and author of The Unexpected Caregiver and Mental Fitness Guide, shared invaluable insights about the challenges faced by family caregivers. These caregivers are often thrust into the role unexpectedly, balancing their own personal lives while taking on responsibilities for their parents or loved ones. Kari’s approach combines both empathy and practical strategies, making her expertise both accessible and actionable.
Raising Awareness of Family Caregiving Challenges
The primary goal of these community events was to shed light on the emotional, physical, and financial strains that caregiving can impose on families. Adult children often find themselves navigating difficult decisions, such as managing their parent’s health, arranging for in-home care, or even making the tough choice to transition a loved one into a care facility. Kari’s deep understanding of these challenges made her the ideal speaker for addressing these topics.
Kari’s presentation focused on the caregiving dynamics between adult children and aging parents, emphasizing the complexities that come with roles shifting from child to caregiver. Her discussion touched on practical solutions for handling stress, building a support system, and creating space for self-care—an often neglected but essential aspect of caregiving. She encouraged attendees to recognize their own mental and emotional health needs and offered concrete strategies to help them cope with the strain. Kari helps you stay Supported, Appreciated, Not Guilty, and Energized while caring for a loved one. She calls this the S.A.N.E. Method. TM Learning small ways to recharge your batteries on a daily basis will not only benefit you, but will also make you a more loving caregiver.
Engaging the Community
What made this event truly special was the level of engagement during the question-and-answer portion. Throughout the four communities, attendees were eager to ask Kari questions about their unique caregiving situations. From concerns about managing a loved one’s increasing medical needs to navigating family conflicts, Kari responded thoughtfully to each inquiry. Her ability to provide specific, actionable advice made the session incredibly useful for all who attended.
One participant from Polk County shared how helpful it was to hear practical strategies for approaching difficult caregiving conversations with their aging parent. Another attendee from Marion County appreciated Kari’s advice on how to balance caregiving with the demands of work and family life. It was clear from the thoughtful questions and heartfelt feedback that the event provided much-needed support for those in the audience.
Positive Feedback and Impact
The feedback received from the attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Many expressed how much they appreciated having a space where they could discuss their caregiving experiences openly, and how they walked away with a better understanding of how to support both their aging parents and themselves.
One attendee noted that they had been feeling overwhelmed with the responsibilities of caregiving and were unsure of how to move forward. After the event, they felt empowered and better equipped to make decisions that would ease the strain on both themselves and their loved ones. Another community member mentioned how Kari’s advice on “mental fitness” was not only useful for caregiving but applicable to other areas of life, improving their overall well-being.
A Continuing Conversation
The Community Health Impact Community Health Speaker Series events, brought to you by Salem Health and the Salem Health Foundations, are free to the public and address issues on aging and health care. The success of this event underscores the importance of bringing these difficult caregiving topics into the community spotlight. Many families are navigating these challenges in isolation, without access to resources or expert guidance. Events like this help break that silence and create a supportive environment for individuals to share their stories, seek advice, and learn new coping strategies.
Kari Berit’s visit to Marion and Polk Counties was a reminder of the immense value of understanding the needs of family caregivers. With her thoughtful advice and expertise, Kari helped these communities come together to support one another as they face the challenges of aging and caregiving. We look forward to continuing the conversation and helping families make informed, compassionate decisions for their loved ones.
If you missed the event, be sure to check out Kari’s books, which offer a wealth of insights and practical tools for anyone involved in caregiving or aging support. You can find more information online at www.unexpectedcaregiver.com or stop by the Community Health Education Center (CHEC) on the Salem Hospital campus to check out Kari’s book. The CHEC aims to inform and empower patients, families, community members and hospital staff by providing accurate health information. Visiting the CHEC is a great way to find information about health services and resources throughout Marion and Polk counties.
Together, we can ensure that caregiving no longer has to be an isolating experience, but one that brings families closer while maintaining their well-being.