by Emily Cooper
The National Caregiver Training Program is an 18-hour course for family caregivers of older adults offered by Boulder County Area Agency on Aging, a division of Community Services. It’s designed to help family caregivers gain the practical skills they need to provide safe, confident home care for older loved ones.
Hundreds of local caregivers have benefitted from the training over the last few years. A recent participant states, “Thank you! I’m so glad to have taken this class— very informative! I’ve already recommended it to others I know who are caregivers.” You can benefit from the course, as well.
The National Caregiver Training Program is taught by a registered nurse with many years of home care experience. It provides detailed instruction, demonstration, and hands-on practice on topics including caring for someone on bedrest, providing personal care, using a wheelchair safely, managing medications, taking vital signs, controlling infection, preventing falls, and more—all in a relaxed, fun setting. Each participant receives information on local resources, helpful handouts, and the book Quick Tips for Caregivers, an easy-to-use home reference guide.
The course is on Thursdays, Oct. 13 – Nov. 17, 2 – 5 p.m., in Boulder. It is open to Boulder County residents caring for a relative, partner, or friend who is age 60 or more, or of any age if the person has dementia. There is no charge for the course, though donations are welcome. To help family caregivers attend, financial assistance for respite care (substitute elder care during class sessions) is available. Registration is required, at 303-678-6116 or InfoCaregiver@bouldercounty.org.
By investing some of your time in this important training, you’ll be sure to reap the rewards throughout your caregiving.
~ Emily Cooper is Information Specialist for Caregiver Programs with Boulder County Area Agency on Aging, a Division of Community Services. Info: call 303-678-6116 or email InfoCaregiver@bouldercounty.org/.