Online Training for Family Caregivers

Contributed Photo/Cristian Newman

By event organizers

An online class to train family caregivers will be offered from 1:30-3 p.m., Wednesdays, Jan. 20-Feb. 24.

The instructors for the class titled “Powerful Tools for Caregivers,” are Jami Mitchell, senior services specialist, and Gail Leschine-Seitz, aging and family case coordinator.

The family caregiver training is supported by the San Juan County and Northwest Regional Council.

Caring for a family member or friend with a chronic condition can be physically, emotionally and financially draining.

This highly effective, evidence-based, self-care educational program for family caregivers, builds the skills caregivers need to take better care of themselves as they provide care for others.

Caregiver participants learn to minimize the potentially negative impacts of caregiving in a six-week program emphasizing self-care and empowerment.

Research on the course has consistently shown increased self-efficacy for caregiver participants. In 2012, the program was recognized by the Administration on Aging as having met its highest level criteria for evidence-based programs.   

Powerful Tools for Caregivers has served caregivers of adults with chronic conditions since 1998.

After successful pilot classes over the last few years, the course is expanding the population of caregivers served to include caregivers of children with special health and behavioral needs (including minors and adult children). 

Separate scripts for these distinct caregiving populations are used. The program’s self-care emphasis remains the same. The examples and scenarios with the tools and a new DVD have been tailored to address the specific needs of each caregiver population.

Caregivers benefit from the classes whether they are:

• Spouses or partners of an adult with a chronic condition.
• Adult children of aging parents.
• Long-distance caregivers.
• In differing stages in their caregiving role.
• From diverse rural, urban, or ethnic communities.

In the class, you will develop a wealth of self-care tools, including:

• Reducing personal stress.
• Changing negative self-talk.
• Communicating your needs to family, doctors, and others.
• Dealing with challenging situations.
• Making tough caregiving decisions.
• Solving problems and setting goals.

To sign up for the free, online class, call Gail Leschine-Seitz at 360-370-7528. The course is offered in video format or by Zoom. We can help with technology. 

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