Jefferson County ISU Extension to host ‘Powerful Tools for Caregivers’ series

Jefferson County ISU Extension and Outreach will host a weekly series called “Powerful Tools for Caregivers of Adults with Chronic Conditions” every Tuesday from Sept. 10 through Oct. 15.

The meetings will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. The program is being offered free of charge, and a lunch will be provided each week. Registration can be found online at https://go.iastate.edu/XK4IZ9 or by calling the Extension Office at 641-472-4166.

Thirty-nine percent of all adult Americans are caring for an adult with a chronic health condition. Caregiving can be a stressful responsibility leading to poor health, mental distress, and less life satisfaction for the caregiver. It can be challenging for caregivers to find the support that they need, says Hailey Walker, a human sciences specialist with Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach.

ISU Extension and Outreach offers educational resources for family caregivers. Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a program for caregivers who provide care for a spouse, parent, or friend with a chronic condition such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. The program provides information, support strategies, communication techniques, stress reduction ideas, and resources to assist family caregivers with their concerns related to caregiving.

“Caregivers who thrive, rather than just survive, understand that by taking care of themselves, they are better able to provide meaningful care,” said Walker, who specializes in family wellbeing issues.

To learn more, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/ptc.

Contact human sciences specialist Hailey Walker at hburgher@iastate.edu or 641-895-9037 for more information.