Red Cross Family Caregiver’s Training; Public Invited To Any, All Sessions

BROOKFIELD — A free Family Caregiver’s Training Program will take place on three consecutive Wednesdays — May 30, June 6, and June 13 — from 5:30 to 8 pm, at Brookfield Senior Center, 100 Pocono Road. The program is being presented by the American Red Cross (ARC) in collaboration with the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging.

The training is designed to teach the basic skills needed to care for family members who are elderly, chronically ill, or disabled. Each session helps caregivers become more confident and knowledgeable, reduce stress, and balance the demands of work and home.

The program consists of six individual topic-based training modules, which are offered during three evening sessions. Participants may attend one or more sessions in any combination or take the entire training for a comprehensive learning experience.

Program highlights are planned as follows:

*May 30: Home Safety (learn how to provide a safe environment, with information on fire safety, infection control, medication safety, and emergency preparedness) and General Caregiving Skills (how to read and record vital signs, respond to sudden illness, give medication, communicate with health care providers, and organize tasks);

*June 6: Assisting with Personal Care (when and how to assist with grooming, mouth care, dressing, bathing, shampooing, and toileting) and Healthy Eating (nutrition basics, special dietary needs, keeping foods safe, and how to help a loved one eat safely);

*June 13: Dementia and Alzheimer’s (what behaviors to expect and ways to comfort and communicate with person’s with dementia) and Caring for the Caregiver (signs of caregiver stress and ways to take time for your own needs, access help through support groups, how to receive respite care and much more).

ARC certified instructor Hazel Weatherstone Capella, EMT, MAT, will lead each session and offer opportunities for individual and group learning.

Participants will receive take-home training materials. Light refreshments will be provided.

To register (required) or for more information, contact Livia Fiordelisi at Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging, 203-757-5449 or 800-994-9422.