Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a six-week education program developed by Legacy Caregiver Services for family and friends caring for older adults who have stroke, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease or similar long-term conditions. The free six week class provides family caregivers with the skills and confidence to better care for themselves while caring for others. Many caregivers have found the class beneficial, including: those caring for a spouse or partner and adult children caring for parents. We can't take away caregiving problems, but we can help caregivers manage them better and to seek and find solutions. The goal is to help caregivers to thrive as individuals.
 
Class participants report they:

• are better at caring for themselves,
• have fewer feelings of anger, guilt and depression,
• have increased confidence and ability to cope with the demands of caregiving, and take more advantage of community services.

Class members receive The Caregiver Helpbook, which was developed specifically for the class. This helpful take-home reference reinforces the tools you'll learn in class to increase your confidence and self-care skills. The book is on loan unless a class member would like to purchase it for $20. There is no charge for the class.

The next class will begin Wednesday, February 17 through March 24, 2010 from 10am to 12 noon at the Tillamook Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 2610 First Street, Tillamook.

This is also a Wellspring Adult Respite Day Care site available to provide on-site care for your loved one during class if pre-arranged.  Call Mollie Reding at 503-815-2272 for more information.

Instructors for this class include Alison Smith, NorthWest Senior and Disability Services and Ginny Gabel, RN Director of Community Health Education, Tillamook County General Hospital. For more information please email Ginny at gabelgl@ah.org or call 503-815-2270.

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