If you are new to family caregiving, or just new to really needing some help as a caregiver, it can seem like you are on your own with the demands of your situation. The good news is that there are programs and resources out here that can help. To begin with, you can always call me to learn about caregiver programs and gather information. If you do, I’m likely to ask you if you want to be on my email list so that I can let you know, with a monthly update, about classes, events, and other resources relevant to caregivers.
Juliette Kershner
The email updates also include a link to the Care Connections Newsletter, specifically designed for family caregivers. This comes out bimonthly and is available as a print subscription as well. This is an easy way to start getting in the loop about resources available to you. I am likely to also let you know about upcoming free caregiver training classes. There are a few different classes, and they are offered at various locations and times around the county.
If you are looking for services, one place I get a lot of my information for caregivers is on Boulder County’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) website at www.bouldercountyhelp.org. This website is accessible to anyone. If you go to this site and click on “Resource Guide”, you will see choices like “Caregiver Resources”, “Dementia and Alzheimer’s Resources”, and “Legal Support” to name a few.
Choose any of these headings and you will find more information about organization and programs that serve these issues. Once you find your way to this website, it is comforting to know you can return anytime to learn, at your own pace, about what’s available to you. And if you don’t spend much time on the web, you can still access all the same service on the phone. Just call the ADRC at 303-441-1617, or give me a call. We are here to help!
~ 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 .