The Graham County Health Department, in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter, is offering FREE CarePro: Care Partners Reaching Out series of classes. They classes will be held at the Graham County Health Annex Building upstairs meeting room, 820 West Main St., Safford, Tuesday, August 14 and 28; Tuesday, September 11 and 25 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pre-registration is encouraged for participation in the program.
The classes provide participants the information to develop the skills needed to care for someone with dementia/Alzheimer’s or memory loss.
- Are you a family caregiver residing in Southern Arizona and do you help care for someone with dementia/Alzheimer’s or memory loss?
- Do you provide an average of 4 hours of care or supervision per day for that individual?
- Do you find caring for your loved one increasingly demanding of your time and energy?
If anyone can answer yes to any of these questions, then this series of classes will help participants learn:
- About dementia and its impact
- How to manage caregiver frustration, irritation, and stress
- How to communicate with the loved one with dementia/Alzheimer’s
- How to take better care of one’s own health
WHAT IS THIS PURPOSE OF THE CarePro Program?
- To assist family members caring for a loved one by providing free dementia related education and training workshops designed to reduce caregiver stress, enhance caregiver well-being, and help caregivers manage difficult caregiving situations.
- To gather feedback from individuals about their caregiving experience to continue to improve programs for dementia caregivers.
WHAT WILL INVOLVEMENT MEAN FOR PARTICIPANTS?
- Attending five 2.5 hours workshops to learn strategies to help caregivers handle difficult caregiving situations, reduce caregiver stress, improve mood, and communicate better with others, including the relative with memory problems.
- Participate in five 30-40 minute individual telephone coach calls to review material covered in the workshop and apply it to their own caregiving situation.
- Prior to the first workshop, participants will be asked to participate in a 45 minute confidential telephone interview that asks you questions about your caregiving experience, including its impact on their stress levels, mood, and physical health. They will be asked to participate in a similar interview again about 3, 6 and 12 months after the first interviews to help continue to improve the program.
- Participants will be encouraged to give information about this program to other caregivers of people with dementia.
HOW WILL THIS HELP MY COMMUNITY AND ME?
- Many caregivers appreciate the opportunity to learn new strategies and meet other caregivers. The feedback gathered from speaking with caregivers like you will be used to help improve the quality of caregiving health and education programs.
WHO WILL KNOW THE INFORMATION I GIVE DURING THESE INTERVIEWS?
- Every precaution will be taken to protect your privacy.
- No one will be identified individually in reports or materials developed from the program..
HOW DO I SIGN UP OR GET MORE INFROMATION?
To pre-register please call:
- Graham County Health Department—928-792-5368
- Alzheimer’s Association—Desert Southwest Chapter – 1-800-272-3900 or 520-322-6601
- Graham County Health Annex Building upstairs meeting room, 820 West Main St., Safford
- Tuesday, August 14 and 28 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 11 and 25 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
