AARP Eye Center
On March 1, 2016, AARP volunteers, leaders from community organizations, and Area Agency on Aging staff participated in a train-the-trainer workshop on AARP’s Prepare to Care presentation. The participants benefited from seeing the presentation, learning added information to share with audiences, and gained presentation and instructing techniques to keep participants interested and engaged. Several of the participants were currently serving in caregiving roles and recognized very early on in the course that they were involved in the critical role of caring for a family member without being fully prepared to do so. Participants stated they were trying to fulfill the role without a plan or a support team. Some shared that trying to be the lone caregiver in a family was extremely stressful. One participant admitted that having to be a caregiver along with other family responsibilities sometimes made them feel like they were “flying without a parachute.”
Even long-time volunteers with AARP applauded the value of the course and the guidance for them personally as they seek to have discussions on aging with their own parents. The participants exhibited a new excitement for sharing the abundance of information, strategies and resources with families throughout Augusta. The Prepare to Care presentation and guide are great tools for anyone on the journey of family caregiving.
Pictured L to R: Marilyn Williams, Romell Cooks, Eric Garber, Catherine Butler, Megan Kise, Betsy Teasley, Mary Stewart, Glynis Key, Norman Michael (not pictured, Mary Levi)