As a physical therapist and university professor, Senobia Crawford knows the importance of health care and education. So when a childhood friend told her about the Duke Caregiver Community Event, Senobia was excited to attend with her. As a caregiver for her mother, who lives with dementia, and her father, who has kidney issues, Senobia was eager to learn as much as possible at this event which provides caregivers access to education, support, and resources.

2026 marks the fourth time that she has attended the event. Senobia said that each year, she gains support and resources that allow her to better understand how to care for her parents and sustain herself. “As they say on the airplane, you have to put your oxygen mask on first before you can take care of someone else,” said Senobia. She appreciated the comprehensive 15-minute wellness visit provided to attendees which includes a range of services to support their overall well-being.

The annual event features more than 100 exhibitors and vendors focused on caregiving and wellness, who provide information and tools to assist in every aspect of caregiving. Attendees also attend sessions on diverse topics, led by professionals with extensive experience. Senobia cited the session, “Seeing More Than Loss -- An Ability-Based Approach to Care,” led by occupational therapist Teepa Snow, as transformative.

“Ms. Snow made me realize that dementia is not a straight downhill trajectory but instead, people have good days and not-so-good days,” said Senobia. She also participated in The Virtual Dementia Tour, ™ an up-close, hands-on experience to help caregivers better understand some of the seemingly inappropriate and, at times difficult, behaviors exhibited by those with dementia.

“Those experiences presented to me how someone who is struggling day-to-day with dementia is navigating their world,” she said. “It helped me realize that with my mom, I have to go with the flow and meet her where she is.”

She appreciates the fellowship fostered by the event. “During the luncheon, I sat with other caregivers who shared their experiences, both what they learned at the event and in caring for their loved ones,” said Senobia. “Being in a community of people experiencing similar things gave me some wonderful ideas about how to deal with this experience.”

One of four siblings, Senobia said that the event has helped her navigate decision making with them about their parents. “I have learned to be more understanding, realizing that we all are different and that not everyone is a caregiver,” she said.

A Virginia resident, Senobia is grateful that this North Carolina event is available to her. “Learning is a lifelong mission,” she said. “Each time I attend, I walk away having learned something new because there is such a wealth of information available. Having this support and gaining these resources is such a gift.”

“The Duke caregiver program is like an umbrella, and there is so much underneath it,” she said. “Duke is on to something great; but of course it is - it's Duke!”