CARIBOU, Maine — The Aroostook Agency on Aging and Cary Medical Center are teaming up to provide a new 6-week series of the Savvy Caregiver program, beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 4 and Saturday, Sept. 7.
Designed for individuals who are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or other form of dementia in their home, the session will take place at two separate times, from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday and from 12 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, in the Chan Center at Cary. The programs are free.
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s can be one of the most stressful caregiving situations, often impacting the health of the caregiver. The Savvy Caregiver program is an evidence based and researched program that has been shown to improve both the quality of caregiving and the quality of life for the caregiver.
Sharon Berz, Director of Long Term Care for the Aroostook Agency on Aging and who instructs the course, said the six-week program can really be a game changer.
“Our caregivers are some of the most courageous, compassionate people in the world,” said Berz who works with hundreds of seniors throughout The County. “But the challenges they face in meeting the needs of loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other dementia can be daunting. This Savvy Caregiver Training offers so many tips, and different approaches to caregiving that can be of great help to family members.”
The Savvy Caregiver is a 12-hour training program delivered in two-hour sessions over a six-week period. In evaluations from the original study and the program versions, participants report increased caregiver skill, knowledge and confidence. Results also indicate better caregiver wellbeing.
Bill Flagg, director of community relations and development at Cary, said the hospital recognizes the need for such training and is grateful to have the opportunity to collaborate with the Aroostook Agency on Aging.
“The number of families coping with Alzheimer’s here in Aroostook County is on the rise,” said Flagg, who also facilitates an Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group.
“I have learned from our support group about the many challenges caregiver face and how important it is for them to share ideas and how they can learn from each other, The Savvy Caregiver program has a lot of research behind it and we hope that families will take the opportunity to attend the training sessions,” Flagg said.
The program requires pre-registration. Individual interested should call the Aroostook Agency on Aging at 207-764-3396.
