Though providing care for an older loved one can be rewarding, it’s also stressful, tiring, and sometimes overwhelming. Family caregivers may not realize that it’s normal to want to help their loved one while also having some difficult feelings at the same time—and they may judge themselves harshly.
Thankfully, Boulder County Area Agency on Aging (BCAAA) offers a course that helps family caregivers acknowledge the good job they do and gives them “tools” for coping with the challenges of caregiving.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers has been proven to help family caregivers reduce their stress, enhance their self-care, and, in general, feel better about their caregiving. The course covers these topics: taking care of you; identifying and reducing personal stress; communicating needs, feelings, and concerns; communicating in challenging situations; mastering caregiving decisions; and more. Through the course caregivers learn that they’re not alone and that many of the feelings they have are shared by others.
The next session of Powerful Tools for Caregivers is on Wednesdays, September 7 – October 12, 1 – 3:30 p.m., in Erie. This session is offered by BCAAA and Weld County Area Agency on Aging, and thus is open to both Boulder County and Weld County residents who provide care for a relative, partner, or friend who is age 60 or over, or of any age if the person has dementia.
There is no fee for the course, though donations are welcome. Registration is required, at 303- 678- 6116 or InfoCaregiver@bouldercounty.org. To enable caregivers to attend, financial assistance for respite care (substitute elder care) is available—to Boulder County residents only.
Caring for an older loved one can be challenging, but there are proven ways to help ease the stress, to protect one’s own well-being, and to “thrive, not just survive” caregiving.
~ Emily Cooper is Information and Referral Specialist for Caregiver Programs with Boulder County Area Agency on Aging, a Division of Community Services. For more information, call 303-678-6116 or email InfoCaregiver@bouldercounty.org/.