Class offered for caregivers
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News from the Area VI Agency on Aging
POLSON — An estimated 65.7 million Americans, roughly 29 percent of the adult population, are caregivers to a family member or friend. This can be a very demanding and stressful job, whether the care receiver lives with them, nearby, or far away. Many of these unpaid caregivers are also still working and raising families. Others are at a time in life where traditionally life’s demands are lessened, not increased. Caregivers often put themselves last, allowing their own health and wellbeing to suffer. Far too often caregivers become incapacitated or die before their care receiver.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a six-week class, 90 minutes per week, to help caregivers take care of themselves, better understand their emotions, and communicate with others. These classes can help a caregiver ask for and find the help they need for themselves and the people they care for, and help them learn to thrive instead of just survive. Thanks to several banks, hospitals, and other organizations co-sponsoring these classes and allowing us space to hold them, the Area VI Agency on Aging is able to offer classes in our four-county area.
A six-session class will be offered in Polson on Thursdays, Feb.12-Mar 19, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center. Another class will be offered in Ronan on Wednesdays, March 4-April 8, 10:30 a.m. to noon at St. Luke’s Hospital. We recently offered a class in Lincoln County and are tentatively planning another in Sanders County later this spring. Next in line is Mineral County. The fee for the class is $50, with cost assistance available on a sliding scale based on income. A book and materials are provided.
If you are interested in having a class in your area or know of someone who could benefit from a Powerful Tools class, please contact Jane at the Area VI Agency on Aging,(406) 883-7284 or 1-800-266-4188. Call Jane to sign up. Class size is limited.
