HFC to Host CareCon, Virtual Event for Caregivers

A virtual celebrity-studded HFC event aimed at caregivers for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia patients is on tap for Friday, National Caregivers Day.

Called HFC CareCon and presented by Kensington Senior Living in both English and Spanish, the free two-hour event will be hosted by HFC co-founder and actor Lauren Miller Rogen, with a special appearance from her husband and co-founder Seth Rogen, who is an actor and comedian.

The goal of the event is to empower caregivers by offering community, knowledge, and support, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Caregivers will be able to connect, expand their caregiving knowledge, and ask questions about their experiences.

Celebrities participating in the event include neurosurgeon and medical reporter Sanjay Gupta, MD, talk show host Leeza Gibbons, and actors Sean Hayes, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, and Ashley Williams.

“As my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease when she was only 55 years old, I understand the emotional toll of caring for a loved one and can only imagine how the further isolating conditions of COVID-19 have impacted caregivers,” said Lauren Miller Rogen in a press release. “We decided to create CareCon to offer a safe space for caregivers, providing both community support and the education to help along their journey.”

For a more personalized experience, caregivers can choose between event “paths” called “Connecting to Community” and “Caring For You.” The first path has sessions titled “Building Community & Taking Action” and “Finding Support.” The path “Caring For You” has sessions called “Employing Levity” and “Keeping Your Brain in Shape.”

The sessions will feature caregiver advocates, caregivers, brain health and Alzheimer’s experts, support group members, comics, and at least one patient. Go here to register.

Event sponsors include Kensington Senior Living and the pharmaceutical company Biogen, among others. “Kensington Senior Living is honored to sponsor the inaugural HFC CareCon and passionately supports HFC’s mission to raise awareness globally for brain health and offer support to Alzheimer’s caregiver families,” said Tiffany Tomasso, co-founder, Kensington Senior Living. “We believe this event will provide caregivers with new tools and best practices to help ease their caregiver journey.”

Alisha Alaimo, president, Biogen US added: “It is humbling to think about the courage and strength that millions of Americans who care for their family members, friends, and others living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia demonstrate every day,” she said. “We are proud to support HFC’s CareCon to help bring together, empower and celebrate the Alzheimer’s caregiving community.”

The nonprofit HFC was founded as Hilarity for Charity in 2012 by the Rogens to care for families affected by Alzheimer’s, inspire the next generation of Alzheimer’s advocates, and be leaders in brain health research and education. It also works to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s through events such as its Brain Health Dinner Series, while offering the community a bit of levity along the way. Last year, the organization hosted its first-ever game show, Hilarity for Charity’s Head to Head.

To date, HFC has raised more than $13 million and awarded more than 325,000 hours of in-home care relief to Alzheimer’s family caregivers. It  organizes digital support groups, and engages young people to become Alzheimer’s advocates. The organization also teaches people how to reduce their risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.