Norwalk, CT – Caring for older loved ones can be extremely difficult, especially during the added health concerns and isolation brought by COVID-19. Family & Children’s Agency (FCA) is proud to present a virtual conversation on this important topic on Thursday, March 30, at noon.
The panel of experts will discuss strategies to help cope, self-care techniques, and resources to support caregivers and the seniors they care for.
This session is open to all at no cost, but registration is required to access the zoom link. Click here to sign up.
Family & Children’s Agency (FCA) is a leader in providing social services to our community and is proud to host this virtual conversation with:
Marie Allen, Executive Director of Southwestern CT Agency on Aging (SWCAA)
Marie Allen is the Executive Director of the Southwestern CT Agency on Aging (SWCAA) serving older adults from Stratford to Greenwich, Connecticut. She has a Master of Business Administration from Albertus Magnus College. Marie is responsible for the administration of state and federal funds to support community-based programs for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
Marie serves on Connecticut’s Long Term Care Advisory Council, Yale Hospital’s Connecticut Older Adult Collaboration for Health (COACH), UCONN’s Care of Persons with Dementia in their Environments (COPE), Connecticut Medicaid Assistance Program Council, and the CT Association of Area Agencies on Aging. Marie was a member of the Governor’s advisory group to Reopen Connecticut.
Carolyn DeRocco, Vice President of Programs and Education for the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter
Carolyn DeRocco is Vice President of Programs and Education at the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Relations from St. Joseph’s College with a Certificate in Counseling and Certificate in Human Services.
Carolyn has over 20 years of experience as a Therapeutic Recreation Director working with individuals with dementia in a skilled nursing facility and over 25 years of experience as a support group leader working with individuals diagnosed with dementia and their caregivers. She is a member of the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council and a former board member of the Connecticut Geriatric Society.
Ligia Masilamani, Director of Home Care & Personal Alert, Family & Children’s Agency
Ligia Masilamani has a Master of Public Health and has worked at FCA for more than 20 years. During her years at FCA she has worked in several public health prevention programs, and for the last 11 years as the Director of FCA’s Home Care program. In her current role she leads a team that provides critical in-home services to seniors and oversees the Senior Service Umbrella, which FCA provides as the Norwalk Municipal Agent for Elderly.
In addition, since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis Ligia has overseen the Crisis Counseling Immediate Service Program FEMA Grant awarded by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. She also supervises the Community Health Workers initiative providing contact tracing and education to Norwalk residents.
Moderated by Robert F. Cashel, LCSW, President & CEO of Family & Children’s Agency
For more than 15 years, Rob Cashel has been President & CEO of FCA, where he is responsible for the multi-service human service organization with more than 200 staff. Rob has developed key partnerships in the community while also establishing formal relationships with numerous private and corporate foundations.
Rob, a licensed clinical social worker, is currently on the Board and Executive Committee of the Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies (CCFSA) and is also on the Board and Executive Committee of Norwalk ACTS. Rob has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Syracuse University and a master’s degree in Social Work from Fordham University. He is also a certified marriage and family therapist and a certified alcoholism counselor.
In addition to Rob’s professional background he has also himself been a caregiver to his aging parents.
