The National Caregiver Training Program is a 6 week course, held for 3 hours each week. It is designed to help family caregivers learn the practical skills needed for providing safe, confident home care for frail older loved ones. Whether you are caring for someone in your home, from across town, or from farther away this course can guide you to provide confident care and support. Hundreds of family caregivers have taken the course, and their comments about it include, “I want to thank you for a very informative, as well as enjoyable, caregivers’ class. I’ve learned so many valuable things over the weeks that I know will be useful.”
The course is taught by a nurse with home care experience and provides detailed instruction and demonstration. One of the best things about the course is that there is time for hands-on practice of skills in a relaxed atmosphere.
Usually participants even find themselves having fun. The skills covered include caring for someone who is primarily in bed, safe use of a wheelchair, providing personal care, managing medications, controlling infections, preventing falls, and taking vital signs. Each participant also receives resource information, useful handouts, and the book Quick Tips for Caregivers, an easy-to use home reference guide. The next course is expected to start by early April, so call or email me to get on the list! This class is open to Boulder County residents caring for a relative, partner, or friend who is age 60 or older, or of any age if the person has dementia. There is no charge for the course, though donations are welcome. Financial assistance for respite care is available. Pre-registration is required, at 303-678- 6116 or Info-Caregiver@bouldercounty.org
~ Juliette Jonjak Kershner, Caregiver Initiative Coordinator, Boulder County Area Agency on Aging, a Division of Community Services. For more information on BCAAA caregiver services, call 303-678-6116 or email InfoCaregiver@bouldercounty.org .