Montgomery County Commission on Aging to Host Free Annual Public Forum on Supporting Family Caregivers on Wednesday, May 21 in Gaithersburg
For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 1, 2025
The Montgomery County Commission on Aging (CoA) will hold its annual public policy forum on Wednesday, May 21, at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg. This year’s event, Revaluing Care: Building Policies, Programs and Connections to Support Caregiving in Our Community , will highlight the essential role and contributions of unpaid caregivers. The forum aims to strengthen support for caregivers through public policy, services and community engagement. Family caregivers—who are disproportionately women and often women of color—frequently provide care without compensation, reinforcing existing economic and social inequities.
The forum will take place from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at 506 South Frederick Ave. in Gaithersburg. It is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged due to limited space.
Held during Older Americans Month, the forum will bring together residents, caregivers, advocates, service providers, policymakers and County staff to explore the experiences of family caregivers in Montgomery County and the broader implications of caregiving across the lifespan.
“Most people will either be a caregiver or need one at some point in their lives, but we still don’t treat caregiving like the essential work that it is,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “Too often it’s unpaid, undervalued and unsupported, especially for women and women of color, who are more likely to take on this responsibility. That has real consequences for families and for our economy. I appreciate the Commission on Aging for focusing this year’s forum on building better systems to support caregivers. If we’re serious about equity and aging with dignity, we need policies that reflect the reality of caregiving and assist the people doing the work.”
Many residents will either need care or become caregivers at some point in their lives. As people live longer, the demand for care—often provided informally by family members or friends—continues to grow. Yet, much of this caregiving remains unpaid and unsupported, placing a significant emotional, physical and financial burden on those providing care.
Unpaid caregiving has real and lasting impacts. Caregivers often face:
- Lost wages and reduced lifetime earnings.
- Interrupted careers and missed opportunities.
- Emotional and physical exhaustion.
- Social isolation and strained personal relationships.
- Financial insecurity in their own older age.
In some cases, caregivers experience declining health or die before those they care for. Many caregivers simultaneously provide care for young and older people. These challenges highlight the urgent need for policies and programs that provide financial, structural and social support for caregiving work—support that benefits caregivers and strengthens the entire community.
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The CoA’s forum will feature public officials, policy analysts and community members in discussion panels and breakout sessions designed to generate collaborative ideas and actionable recommendations.
Visit the Eventbrite website to learn more about the event and register. To request accommodations to attend the event, contact Tremayne Jones via email or call 240-777-1262 at least four business days in advance.
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Release ID: 25-184
Media Contact: Jennifer Garfinkel 240-962-1506
Categories: Senior
For updates and link to press release, see here: http://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=46962