Caregiver Education

Powerful Tools for Caregivers^® is an education program to help family and friends caring for older adults with long-term health conditions (e.g., stroke, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and others). Powerful Tools helps caregivers develop skills and confidence to better care for themselves while caring for others. It is a six-week series led by trained facilitators using a standardized curriculum. The weekly topics range from reducing your stress to communicating in challenging situation and mastering caregiving decisions. Powerful Tools for Caregivers class participants have said:

• The are better at caring for themselves
• They have fewer feelings of anger, guilt and depression
• The are more confident in their ability to cope with the demands of caregiving
• They are more likely to use community services

Classes are held for 2½ hours or 90 minutes once a week for six weeks. Most sites charge a fee to cover the cost of classes and manual, though cost varies by site. Financial help may be available upon request.

To learn more:

• Read the class description
• Go to the Powerful Tools for Caregivers website at http://www.powerfultoolsforcaregivers.org/
• Contact the Minnesota Board on Aging at mba.dhs@state.mn.us to learn more about becoming a class leader.