Program offers caregivers powerful tools

AMES  ? Family caregivers and the work they do can easily be overlooked. Not only are caregivers looking after others, they also need to be looking after themselves. Human Sciences Extension and Outreach helps provide family caregivers with the tools and resources they need to look after themselves through ?Powerful Tools for Caregivers.?

?Powerful Tools for Caregivers? is a national, evidence-based program designed specifically for the family caregivers to take better care of themselves. ?It?s designed for the caregiver, not the care recipient,? said Donna Donald, a human sciences specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

This six-session program started in Iowa about 11 years ago and is offered in many Iowa counties. Donald explained that the sessions for this program are to help build confidence in family caregivers and to identify and reduce any stress they might have.

?Many family caregivers don?t receive any kind of reimbursement, which takes a toll on them financially and the demands of caregiving also have an emotional and physical impact,? said Donald.

There are trained class leaders in more than 60 counties to lead ?Powerful Tools for Caregivers.? The class leaders are licensed through Stanford University. Nancy Adrian at Washington County Extension is a trained leader. Information on becoming a class leader is found on the ?Powerful Tools for Caregivers? website.

Often family caregivers don?t see themselves as caregivers, they just see themselves doing what they need to do to help out a family member or close friend, said Donald, which can make them difficult to reach. Often community efforts play a role in helping identify caregivers and providing what is necessary for them to attend ?Powerful Tools for Caregivers.?

Donald goes on to explain that many family caregivers have a higher rate of depression and other health-related issues due to their higher stress loads from being a caregiver. "Powerful Tools for Caregivers? addresses this issue and provides family caregivers with some of the support and resources they need to take care of themselves. It really is all about the caregiver.

?A healthy caregiver is better able to provide the care and support for the person who needs it,? said Donald.

For more information on ?Powerful Tools for Caregivers? visit www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/ptc-tools or contact Nancy Adrian at Washington County Extension at 319-653-4811.