WCAAA Caregiver Programs Announced For June

WATERBURY — The Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging (ACAAA) has a pair of public programs planned for June, one that will take place during one midday session and the other that will continue over the course of three weeks. Both programs take place at WCAAA’s office, 84 Progress Lane.

The first event is a Lunch & Learn program scheduled for Friday, June 3.

Lisa Searles, a homecare liaison for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care, will talk about end of life care and the team of people specifically trained to support families in this very difficult time in life.

Hospice providers offer a special form of care for people during their last months of life. When medical treatments cannot cure a disease, hospice services can provide support to make life as comfortable, enjoyable, and meaningful as possible for patients and families.

It is never an easy time, but with the help of trained professionals, individuals can prepare for conversations with doctors and family members and learn to coordinate the services that are available to lessen some of the burden.

Ms Searles’s program will begin at 11 am, and will include lunch. Reservations are requested by May 27.

Also in June, WCAAA will offer American Red Cross Family Caregiving Training. The free series will take place on three consecutive Wednesdays, June 1, 8, and 15. Sessions will run from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, also at WCAAA’s office. The program is designed to teach skills and provide tools needed to care for individuals who are elderly, chronically ill, or disabled. Training will help family caregivers become more confident and knowledgeable, hone hands-on skills, and care for their own needs as well.

The program consists of six individual topic-based training modules, which are offered during the three evening sessions. Participants may attend one or more sessions in any combination or take the entire training for a comprehensive learning experience.

The first session will cover home safety and general caregiving; the second will include “Positioning and Helping Your Loved One Move” and “Assisting with Personal Care,” and the final session will feature the topics “Healthy Eating” and “Caring for The Caregiver.”

ARC Certified Instructor Hazel Weatherstone, EMT, MAT, will lead each session and offer opportunities for individual and group learning. Participants receive take-home training materials. Light refreshments provided.

To register or for more information on either program, contact Livia Fiordelisi, national family caregiver support program coordinator, at 203-757-5449 or 800-994-9422.