Free Annual Public Forum on Supporting Family Caregivers May 21

The Montgomery County Commission on Aging (CoA) will hold its annual public policy forum on Wednesday, May 21, at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg. This year’s event, Revaluing Care: Building Policies, Programs and Connections to Support Caregiving in Our Community, will highlight the essential role and contributions of unpaid caregivers. The forum aims to strengthen support for caregivers through public policy, services and community engagement. Family caregivers—who are disproportionately women and often women of color—frequently provide care without compensation, reinforcing existing economic and social inequities.

The forum will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 506 South Frederick Ave. in Gaithersburg. It is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged due to limited space. Visit the Eventbrite website to learn more about the event and register. To request accommodations to attend the event, contact Tremayne Jones via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 240-777-1262 at least four business days in advance.

Held during Older Americans Month, the forum will bring together residents, caregivers, advocates, service providers, policymakers and county staff to explore the experiences of family caregivers in Montgomery County and the broader implications of caregiving across the lifespan.

Many residents will either need care or become caregivers at some point in their lives. As people live longer, the demand for care—often provided informally by family members or friends—continues to grow. Yet, much of this caregiving remains unpaid and unsupported, placing a significant emotional, physical and financial burden on those providing care.

Unpaid caregiving has real and lasting impacts. Caregivers often face:

• Lost wages and reduced lifetime earnings.
• Interrupted careers and missed opportunities.
• Emotional and physical exhaustion.
• Social isolation and strained personal relationships.
• Financial insecurity in their own older age.

In some cases, caregivers experience declining health or die before those they care for. Many caregivers simultaneously provide care for young and older people. These challenges highlight the urgent need for policies and programs that provide financial, structural and social support for caregiving work—support that benefits caregivers and strengthens the entire community.

The CoA's forum will feature public officials, policy analysts and community members in discussion panels and breakout sessions designed to generate collaborative ideas and actionable recommendations.