The National Caregiver Training Program, sponsored by Boulder County Area Agency on Aging, is a sixweek course held for 3 hours each week. This program offers family caregivers education on the practical skills necessary to feel confident about providing care for older adults in need of help. Wherever you are in your caregiving path, from offering help remotely as you can, or stopping by for check-ins locally during the week, to providing daily in-home care, this course can provide guidance and helpful tools. Hundreds 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, and the notebook and book will be wonderful resources in the future.”
Information and demonstrations are provided by a Registered Nurse with extensive home care and hospital experience. One of the best aspects of the course is the time allotted for hands-on practice of skills in a relaxed atmosphere. Usually participants even find themselves having fun! Skills covered include safe use of a wheelchair, providing personal care, managing medications, and preventing falls. This class has typically been held in the afternoon, but to accommodate those who can’t make it in the daytime, the next session will be held Thursday evenings, July 12 – Aug. 16, 5-8 p.m., and will be located midway between Longmont and Boulder. 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 InfoCaregiver@bouldercounty.org
~ Juliette Jonjak Kershner is Caregiver Initiative Coordinator with 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 .