No One has to Face Dementia Alone
By Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director
To register for the April 29 Savvy Caregiver Program hosted by Senior Friendship Centers of Charlotte County, please call Tiah Thompson at 239-652-6900 x 58240 or email: tiah.thompson@aaaswfl.org
As I’ve shared with you in previous columns, being a caregiver is hard. While many of us choose to care for our loved ones, it’s always a difficult decision. Caregiving is tough, emotionally, physically and mentally.
Help and resources are out there, and there are people who truly want to support you. I hope that by the end of this column, you’ll discover a program that could make a real difference.
We are incredibly fortunate to have an outstanding resource in our community that every caregiver should know about, including volunteers who support individuals living with dementia or Alzheimer’s. I truly can’t emphasize this enough: The Savvy Caregiver Training Program is for everyone, and the best part? It’s completely free!
Debra Bragg, Nutrition Services Director for Senior Friendship Centers stated, “Anyone who looks after a loved one is welcome to take part in this program. They are small intimate groups that provide connection for people who are going through the same thing. You’ll gain a better understanding from your loved-ones perspective.”
Senior Friendship Center is hosting a powerful in-person Savvy Caregiver Training facilitated by the Area Agency on Aging in Harbour Heights beginning on April 29. If you’re a caregiver, this could be the support and information you’ve been needing – and it’s happening in our neighborhood. Prioritize your well-being as a caregiver and sign up for this class today.
This is an evidence-based caregiver course where you learn strategies and tools to become more confident in your caregiving skills. It is educational for all family caregivers. The course is designed to help family caregivers manage the challenges of caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s or dementia-related illnesses. They are facilitated by a Dubin Center Social Worker or Area Agency on Aging.
During the program you will adopt skills and successfully manage activities of daily living, develop self-care routines, identify and engage family and community resources for care-related assistance and support. There is help in our community and The Savvy Caregiver Program will show you where to look for it.
The Savvy Caregiver Training Program is offered both in person and by zoom for Charlotte County. They meet for two hours a week for 6 consecutive weeks or take the express training which is a three-week commitment.
The two Savvy Express Training courses are being offered by HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital and are held in their Community Center. Kelly Carr, HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital and UWCC Board Member shared, “Since the classes are so small, they will fill up fast so we added a class in June as well as the class in August.”
For more information about The Savvy Caregiver or to sign up for a course, please visit: unitedwayccfl.org/SavvyCaregiver
For more information about United Way of Charlotte County’s mission: Mobilizing the power of our community to break the cycle of poverty, please contact Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director. She can be reached at director@unitedwayccfl.org.