by Kaitlin Jackson
Tue, Aug 15th 2017 01:00 pm
“Powerful Tools for Caregivers,” a free caregiver education course, will start Aug. 30 and run through Oct. 4. The Erie County Office for the Aging and the WNY Alzheimer’s Caregiver Partnership (WNYACP) are sponsoring the six-week course.The course is open to the community. Classes will be held Wednesdays from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Catholic Charities, 128 Wilson St., Buffalo. Advanced registration is required. Call (716) 896-6388, ext. 205, to register.
In the six weekly classes, family caregivers of those with dementia will develop a wealth of self-care tools to reduce personal stress, change negative self-talk, learn positive communication strategies effective in challenging situations, and to manage emotions and make tough caregiver decisions. Attendees will also be given a copy of “The Caregiver Helpbook.”
This free community program fulfills WNYACP’s mission to reduce caregiver burden and burnout, and to improve the lives of caregivers and the lives of their loved ones.
“There is a growing need for caregiver support in our communities,” said Ann Marie Doetterl, regional director of the WNYACP grant at Catholic Charities of Buffalo. “Our vision is to create supportive, dementia-friendly communities that reduce burden and prevent burnout through a strong partnership of professional service providers and community volunteers.”
WNYACP, funded by a NYS Department of Health grant, assists caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s or other dementia with care consultation and assessment, caregiver support groups, caregiver education, respite assistance, enrichment events, caregiver events and transportation. WNYACP also offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. Partners of WNYACP are Catholic Charities; Alzheimer’s Association, WNY Chapter; and the County Offices for the Aging in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara and Wyoming counties. WNYACP serves residents in each of these counties. Call 800-342-9871 (NYConnects) for assistance or go to wnyacp.org.
