MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Caregivers give so much to those dependent on them to live out their daily lives and that is why more than 20 organizations want to give caregivers something back in return.

"Caregivers can get very stressed caring for an individual and if they don’t take care of themselves they’re not going to be able to take care of anybody else,” said NexCare Health Systems Community Liaison Lori Brandenburg and event committee member for the retreat.

The role of a caregiver can range from helping those in need stay mobile, take their medications, eat meals and have someone watch over them.

"Sometimes they’re paid caregivers, but most of the people who come to this conference are people who do it day in and day out and their payment is just the love of their person,” said Caregiver Retreat Committee member Judy McQueen.

The Annual Caregiver Retreat will be held at the Eagle Eye Banquet Facility in East Lansing on March 27th from 8am to 4pm. Caregivers will be treated to lunch, seminars, massages and more all thanks to multiple sponsors.

"It's all designed to give the caregivers a retreat from their daily lives and I have been a caregiver for quite a long time so I know how important that is," said McQueen whose husband Vern was diagnosed in 2000 with Alzheimer's.

With almost 15 years of experience caring for her husband, Judy has been a guest speaker at the Caregiver Retreat to help others learn how to care for dementia related people in need.

"In this last stage in which (Vern) is right now with hospice care they’ve been wonderful. We have visiting physicians who come to our home so I don’t have to take him out for his medical needs,” said McQueen

Despite the effects the disease has had on both Judy and Vern’s lives, some things will never change.

"He has a great sense of humor. It was about five years ago at Easter time he looked at me and said, 'You know this Alzheimer’s stuff isn’t so bad because i can hide my own Easter eggs,'" said Judy McQueen

Sponsors will also provide hospice care for the caregiver’s person in need on the day of the event.

Caregivers who want to attend the retreat must register and RSVP by March 10th by calling (517)-449-9494