Six Week Educational Program; Weekly Classes Help Caregivers Reduce Stress, Locate Resources

ERIE COUNTY, NY— The Erie County Department of Senior Services will be offering “Powerful Tools for Caregivers” classes beginning in March and designed to provide caregivers with the tools they need to take care of themselves. Six weekly sessions, each 2 ½ hours in length, teach caregivers how to reduce stress, improve self-confidence, better communicate feelings, and locate helpful resources. Participants also learn how to increase their ability to make difficult decisions and balance their lives.

Erie County Senior Services Commissioner Randy Hoak joined the Senior Services Department as a volunteer Powerful Tools Class Facilitator long before joining the Department as Commissioner, and has seen the impact these classes have on overburdened caregivers.  “These classes have proven to be a lifeline for families in Erie County,” said Hoak. “Caregivers need to make time for themselves. Powerful Tools will show them how to do that, and how to maximize the resources available to them and their loved one.”

“Powerful Tools for Caregivers” classes will be offered at the following locations, dates & times:

• Monday, March 3, 2014 – Monday, April 7, 2014; 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM, Trinity Old Lutheran Church, 3445 Sheridan Drive, Amherst NY
  
• Thursday, March 27, 2014 – Thursday, April 30, 2014; 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM, ECMC Campus Terrace View Long-Term Care Facility (Chapel), 462 Grider St., Buffalo NY (Free parking – ticket will be validated)
  
• Tuesday, April 22, 2014 – Tuesday, May 27, 2014; 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM, Elderwood at Hamburg, 76 Buffalo Street, Hamburg  NY 14075
  
• Wednesday, April 23, 2014 – Wednesday, May 28, 2014; 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM, Catholic Charities Garden Room, 128 Wilson St., Buffalo NY  (free respite for the memory-impaired offered at this site)

Pre-registration is required, and additional classes are being scheduled. For more information or to register, call 858-2177 or email caregiver@erie.gov . Registration for the course includes a copy of The Caregiver Handbook. Complete course cost is covered for all Blue Cross/Blue Shield of WNY and Independent Health members. For those that are uninsured, complete course cost is covered by CHF Cultural Diversity grant funding.

This program is supported by a grant from The Health Foundation for Western and Central New York and co-sponsored by the University at Buffalo, School of Public Health and Health Professions and the Erie County Caregiver Coalition.