(L to R) Connie, Alex and me on our panel
The New Mexico Direct Caregivers Coalition’s 2009 summit was our first conference – we just started our coalition this year – so we were a little nervous going into it. But by the end of the day on November 6, we all felt great.
About 125 people from all across the state got a lot out of the summit. We packed the day with educational sessions, running three at a time in four time slots, and we had some great speakers.
Our educational sessions ranged from self-advocacy to job-related skills to what caregivers need to know about technology. Topics included Affordable Health Insurance for Direct Caregivers, Dementia vs. Hearing Loss – How to Recognize when Hearing Loss is Causing the Misunderstanding, Caring for Yourself First, Family Caregivers as Advocates, and Advocating your Cause: Caregiver Advocacy 101.
I was on one of the panels, along with my fellow 2009 Voices Institute National Leadership Program graduates Connie Kreider and Alex Brandt. I talked about why we direct care workers need respect and recognition. Connie told people about the DCA, and Alex talked about our generally low wages and why they need to improve. The people who came to hear us asked a lot of good questions.
Dr. Willie Orr, the medical director at Evercare of New Mexico, gave the opening speech. Dr. Orr is a geriatrician whose mission is to create alternatives to nursing homes for people who need long-term care.
The Honorable Jeff Steinborn from the New Mexico House of Representatives gave a keynote speech. He told us about a homeless man he had met in Las Cruces who he helped out, getting him housing and becoming his friend – and his caregiver. Dr. Alfredo Vigil, the cabinet secretary of the New Mexico Department of Health, was our other keynote speaker.
Connie had never been to New Mexico before, so she was impressed by how beautiful it is. She was also impressed by how committed the workers were who came to our summit. “It was a pleasure to meet so many direct care workers who have a passion to continue as caregivers with a purpose, make positive change, and be active members of the NMDCC,” she says. “The NMDCC is just getting started, but they have support from many people who believe in them and I know they will continue to grow.”
Mark Cerna
Chairman of the board, New Mexico Direct Caregivers Coalition
Graduate, 2009 Voices Institute National Leadership Program
I am glad to hear that people are coming together for better caregiving advice and solution when it comes to hearing loss. And New Mexico is beautiful, what a great place to gather.