(From Erin Pederson, ISU Exstension and Outreach)
Humboldt, Iowa – Holly Frerk (Program Coordinator) from ISU Extension and Outreach Pocahontas and Humboldt County recently completed training to be a class leader for Powerful Tools for Caregivers. Every day over 43.5 million Americans act as family caregivers.
They provide a vast array of emotional, financial, nursing, social, homemaking and other services on a daily or intermittent basis.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach provides statewide coordination for this national program disseminated by Powerful Tools for Caregivers, an independent, non-profit organization based in Portland, Oregon.
Over the course of six weeks, family caregivers learn about tools needed to take care of themselves as they care for adults with chronic illnesses or children with special health and behavioral needs. If family caregivers learn to take good care of themselves, they will be better prepared to take good care of their care receivers.
Caregivers learn how to: reduce stress, improve self-confidence, better communicate their feelings, balance their lives, increase ability to make tough decisions, and locate helpful resources.
For more information about upcoming Powerful Tools for Caregivers classes, contact Holly Frerk at [email protected] or 712-335-3103.