On Saturday, February 6, attendees gathered for Sister Spokesman: Caring For Our Elderly Parents at Sabathani Community Center in south Minneapolis.

An expert panel featuring Vikki Casey Steward of AARP, caregiver Liz Webster, and Lindsay LaVoie, a consumer advocate for the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, gave advice on ways to protect and care for parents and loved ones in their later years.

Webster stressed “patience, love and respect” for parents are keys to being a good caregiver. LaVoie warned against falling to scams and predators with the saying, “When in doubt, don’t give it out,” with regards to personal information. And Casey Steward advised against being a “martyr” as a caregiver, stating that your loved one “deserves to have you at your best.”

The event also included games and prize giveaways, local vendors, and entertainment from KMOJ’s QBear who played R&B favorites, and Dianne L’Elaine, who sang her “Sister Spokesman” theme song and soulful rendition of the late Natalie Cole’s song “This Love.”