Make 2016 the year to enhance your caregiving skills—for your care recipient’s benefit and your own! Boulder County Area Agency on Aging offers two highly rated training programs for family caregivers of older adults.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a 15-hour course that gives family caregivers the “tools” to ensure they take care of themselves while caring for others. Taught by trained co-leaders, the course helps caregivers reduce stress, improve self-confidence, communicate their needs and feelings, balance their lives, make tough decisions, use local resources, and more. It is on Wednesdays, Feb. 17 – March 23, 2 – 4:30 p.m., in Longmont.
The National Caregiver Training Program is an 18-hour course that helps family caregivers acquire the practical skills needed to provide safe, confident home care for older loved ones. Taught by a registered nurse, the course provides detailed instruction, demonstration, and hands-on practice in a fun, no-pressure setting. Topics include caring for someone on bedrest, providing personal care, using a wheelchair safely, managing medications, taking vital signs, preventing falls, using local resources, and more. The course is on Thursdays, April 7 – May 12, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m., in Boulder.
Each course will be held twice more in 2016. The courses are open to Boulder County residents who are providing local or long-distance care for a relative, partner, or friend who is 60 or over, or of any age if the person has dementia. There is no charge, but donations are appreciated. Financial assistance for respite care (using a substitute caregiver) during class periods is available.
To register or for more information, call 303-678-6116 or email InfoCaregiver@bouldercounty.org Pre-registration is required, and class size is limited.
~ Emily Cooper is Information and Referral Specialist for Caregiver Programs with Boulder County Area Agency on Aging, a Division of Community Services. For more information on BCAAA caregiver services, call 303-678-6116 or email InfoCaregiver@bouldercounty.org/.