Brockton, MA (PressExposure) June 02, 2009 -- Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), Jordan Hospital and Harbor Point at Centerville (a Benchmark Assisted Living Community for the Memory Impaired) are teaming up this summer to offer "Powerful Tools for Caregivers", a four-week course that teaches caregivers how to take care of themselves.
As part of the national Caregiver Education Series, Powerful Tools for Caregivers is designed for individuals caring for older adults who are living at home or in a facility, or who are managing caregiver services from a distance. The four-week class will be held at Jordan Hospital in Plymouth on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning July 21st. Harbor Point will provide lunch and if needed, respite can be arranged ahead of time through Cozy Corner Adult Day Program in Plymouth.
The classes will be led by Saran Craig, who has a Master's degree in Gerontology and is a trained and experienced Master Trainer. She has led 15 Powerful Tools classes for more than 200 caregivers. Rochelle Sugarman of the Family Caregiver Support Program at OCES who holds a Certificate in Aging from the Institute for Geriatric Social Work (IGSW) at Boston University, will co-lead the classes.Â
The Powerful Tools for Caregivers classes are three hours long and designed to help caregivers build communication skills, lower stress, set goals, make tough decisions, and better communicate with family members and medical providers. Caregivers who attend will utilize relaxation and planning tools; learn to cope with feelings of anger or guilt and learn how to access community resources and solve problems.
To register for Powerful Tools for Caregivers, call Jordan Hospital Senior Behavioral Health Center at 508-732-8711. For more information about the Powerful Tools for Caregivers Class, contact Rochelle Sugarman of OCES at (508) 584-1561.
The agency has 130 employees and operates more than 12 programs serving elders, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at http://www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.