Caregiver refresher training offered
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.