The JN Circle will host two special episodes of Thrive Together Life Class on caring for the elderly on November 23 and December 3 at 6:30 pm.

Celia Burnett, member relations supervisor at Jamaica National Group, said the special episodes are being held in observation of National Parent Month (Jamaica) under the theme ‘From Child to Caregiver – The Journey of Parenting Your Parent’.

“Many persons have shared the trauma they experienced being placed suddenly in the role of caregiver of their parents, and it was evident that this was not an issue frequently explored in public fora.

“With November being National Parent Month, we are reigniting the discussion and providing additional resources and testimonies from individuals who have had this experience,” she said.

Kamala McWhinney, associate clinical psychologist, will host the session, and she will be joined by special guests Jacquelyn Revere, caregiver and influencer; Sandra Latibeaudiere, lecturer and coordinator of the Social Work Unit, The University of the West Indies, Mona, and director of programmes, Alzheimer’s Jamaica; and Suewanna Malcolm Wright, founder of Transformative Solutions Limited. Malcolm Wright is skilled in grief counselling, client counselling, life coaching, and training in personal development.

“The sessions will explore coping and dealing with the initial realisation that parents can no longer be fully independent; accepting the change that occurred; resolving challenges that might arise, such as Alzheimer’s disease, incontinence, and other lifelong chronic issues,” said Burnett, who noted that the sessions will also look at how one evolves as a caregiver and the steps to take to thrive during this period of life.

The sessions will be held in a hybrid format, with a small group being facilitated in person, while others will be able to watch and participate in the session via the JN Group Facebook page or via Zoom. A workshop will be held following the class on December 3, where participants will be given additional resources and support from experts. A special wellness package will be prepared for the first five registrants.

Interested people can register for the online series or watch and participate by visiting the JN Group’s Facebook page.

The JN Circle Thrive Together Life Class was introduced during the novel coronavirus pandemic in 2020 by the JN Foundation to provide an avenue for people to share their thoughts on a range of issues, such as psychological and emotional matters, which emerged during the period. These sessions have attracted several hundred participants locally and in the Diaspora, such as the United States of America, Canada, and England.

The JN Circle comprises a network of JN members and customers of member companies within the JN Group who have bonded through community-building, advocacy, and networking.