Powerful Tools for Caregivers series begins Aug. 23

Jefferson County Extension & Outreach will host a series on Powerful Tools for Caregivers of Adults with Chronic Conditions.

The sessions are scheduled every Wednesday from August 23 through September 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with lunch provided. The series will provide you with the tools you need to take care of yourself.

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 Burgher, 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.

The program is free, by sponsorship of the Jefferson County Extension Council, and registration can be found online at: https://go.iastate.edu/AMT3SB or by calling the Jefferson County Extension Office at 641-472-4166.

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

To learn more, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/ptc. Contact human sciences specialist Burgher at hburgher@iastate.edu or 641-895-9037 for more information.