WV CARES About Families Living with Dementia Offers Free Workshop for Family Caregivers

This article was contributed by Helen Matheny, Director, Collaborative Relations and Initiatives, Heath Sciences Center, West Virginia University.

Family caregivers are the backbone of community-based services providing over $450 billion of unpaid services across this nation. To support our local family caregivers of individuals living with dementia, West Virginia CARES about Families Living with Dementia is offering a free workshop developed by the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI). The Dealing with Dementia Workshop provides tips and strategies for caregivers on best practices for caring for their loved ones and themselves.

“Most family caregivers assume the care of a loved one without access to needed training and education,” said Gayle Alston, Director of RCI Training Center for Excellence. “Caregiving for a loved one is a rewarding and loving experience.  However, due to the physical and emotional demands of caregiving and the struggles specific to dementia care, caregivers often suffer high levels of stress and depression. The goal for the Dealing with Dementia Caregiver Workshop is for Alzheimer's and dementia family caregivers to gain a better understanding of dementia, utilize strategies to effectively manage dementia behaviors, and develop habits of stress management and self-care.

Caregivers who attend the 3.5 hour workshop will receive a copy of the new Dealing with Dementia Guide. This guide provides over 300 pages of information and solutions to problems caregivers face every day.  In addition, participants will receive information about resources from AARP West Virginia, the Alzheimer’s Association and the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services.

Participants will need access to a computer as the workshop will be presented virtually through Zoom meetings. Caregivers must register for the training so that materials can be mailed to them prior to the event. To register go, to WVCARES.org and click on the “Training Sign-Up” button at the top of the page.  Training dates and times are as follows:

Nov. 2, 6:00 – 9:30 p.m. (Registration deadline is Oct. 20)

Nov. 10, noon — 3:30 p.m. (Registration deadline is Oct. 29)

Nov. 16, 8:30 a.m. — noon (Registration deadline is Nov. 2)

This free training is being presented by WV CARES about Families Living with Dementia, an        initiative of the West Virginia University Health Science Center, with key partners including AARP West Virginia, Alzheimer's Association WV, the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services, the West Virginia Council of Churches and the West Virginia Parkinson's Network. The project is funded through the generous support of the Claude W. Benedum Foundation. 

View a virtual flyer about this free workshop here.