NEK Council on Aging Offers Classes for Caregivers

Newport, VT - According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, an estimated 44 million Americans age 18 and older provide unpaid assistance and support to older people and adults with disabilities who live in the community. Evidence shows that most caregivers are ill-prepared for their role and provide care with little or no support, yet more than one-third of caregivers continue to provide intense care to others while suffering from poor health themselves.

To provide support to caregivers, the NEK Council on Aging (NEKCOA) is offering two self-care classes in Newport this fall. The first is Managing Stress , a ninety-minute free workshop focusing on tools to manage the daily stresses faced by caregivers. The class takes place on Wednesday, September 12th from 6-7:30 p.m. in the downstairs Meeting Room at North Country Hospital. It is facilitated by Nancy Oakes, the NEKCOA Family Caregiver Support Program Coordinator.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers , is a six-week, in-depth class to help caregivers reduce stress, improve self-confidence, communicate needs and feelings more effectively, balance their lives, deal with difficult emotions, and increase their ability to make tough decisions and locate helpful resources. The class begins on Wednesday, September 26th and runs every Wednesday until October 31st from 3 - 4:30 p.m. in the Vermont Room at Goodrich Memorial Library in Newport. It is facilitated by Nancy Oakes and Lucy LeMay, a Case Manager for NEKCOA.

“Family caregivers need to take care of themselves,” says Oakes. “When we take care of ourselves, we can prevent or recover from some of the negative effects of stress that caregivers experience. By reducing resentment, caregivers can offer more loving and supportive care.” It is asked that a small donation be made to cover the cost of the class book but this is not required.

To register, call Nancy Oakes at 802-751-0435 or email info@nekcouncil.org and place “caregiver” in the subject line.