Providing care for a family member is hard work, but there are some steps you can take to ease the burden.
Care Connection for Aging Services will present a free nine-week course titled “Stress-Busting Programs for Family Caregivers” at two Benton County senior centers.
One series will take place on Wednesdays from July 6 to Aug. 31 from 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Warsaw Senior Center, 17571 N. Dam Access Road.
The same workshop series will be offered from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Fridays from July 8 to Sept. 2 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Cole Camp Senior Center, 206 E. Junge St.
Most often, family caregivers are the spouses, adult children or grandparents raising grandchildren who are placed into the role without the chance to prepare.
The Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers program has been shown to provide support to family caregivers of people with dementia or a chronic illness. To register for either workshop, call 660-438-3300, extension 3.
The sessions will include information on relaxation and breathing; effect and causes of stress; meditation and imagery; facing challenges; grief, loss, and depression; coping with stress: recognition of changeable and unchangeable stressors; changing roles and relationships; assertiveness; positive thinking; and taking care of oneself.
The program includes weekly 90-minute sessions for nine weeks.
Participants will receive a handbook covering class material, a meditation exercise, and a relaxation strategies video.
Caregivers who have completed this program feel significantly lower stress, depression, and anxiety and are able to enjoy a better quality of life, according to a study. They have an improved ability to relax, manage stress and feel better about themselves.