Silver City, New Mexico, January 20, 2014:
Professional and family caregivers have a chance to brush up on their
skills at a seven-week training program held Mondays starting on January
27, 2014. The program is free, and respite care is available.
The training is being offered through a partnership between Western New
Mexico University's School of Nursing, the Senior Life Cycle of the
Grant County Community Health Council, and Gila Regional Medical Center
Home Health and Hospice.
Andrienne Herrick plans to attend the Caregiver Refresher Program. Herrick
has been care giving, on and off, for almost four years, but lacks formal
training. "I took some classes on Alzheimer's Disease at the
Senior Center," Herrick says. Her clients have included people with
Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and Dementia. "Each
person has different needs," adds Herrick, who hopes to learn best
practices from the experts at the upcoming training, which will include
demonstration labs on skills and group discussions.
WNMU Assistant Professor, Krista Wood says the training is an excellent
opportunity for caregivers to get "up to date on new techniques and
expand their knowledge of local resources while networking with other
caregivers." Professor Wood oversees the Certified Nursing Assistant
program at WNMU's School of Nursing. The trainings will be facilitated
by WNMU nursing faculty, community experts and appropriate certified professionals.
Wood says she has cared for family members and knows how daunting the task
can be, "Most caregivers get thrown into the role and wing it, but
there is a whole community of other caregivers with resources and knowledge
to share."
Wood adds, "Everybody will be part of care giving in their lifetime,
either giving or getting." She urges caregivers to family members
attend the training to discuss their concerns and share ideas.
Senior Concerns Coordinator for the Health Council, Connie Hostetler, says,
"We are so excited to offer our local valuable caregivers opportunities
to improve their skills. This issue has been a major concern of the Senior
Life Cycle for over a decade, and we are so happy with the extraordinary
reception the training is receiving from the community."
The training topics include: basic home care; procedures related to activities
of daily living; ethics and role-modeling; chronic health problems and
related medications; nutritional support and exercise; Alzheimer's
Disease and Dementia; end of life and hospice care, and personal business
managementnity experts and/or appropriate certified professionals. Topics
include: Basic Home Care; Procedures related to Activities of Daily Living;
Ethics and Role-Modeling; Chronic Health Problems and Related Medications;
Nutritional Support and Exercise; Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia;
End of Life and Hospice Care/Elder Abuse; Personal Business Management.
Free. Registration required. Respite care available. 538-6960 or
blackr1@wnmu.edu.
The training will be held every Monday starting on January 27, 2014 until
March 17, 2014, from 4:30 – 7 p.m. Respite care is available. Registration
for the Caregiver Refresher Program is required. For more information
or to register contact Rhiannon Black at (575) 538-6960 or email:
blackr1@wnmu.edu.
Download the
flyer PDF or the
brochure PDF