Council on Aging offers classes for caregivers

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Many families across Chatham are caregivers for their loved ones at home. Whether for financial reasons or by choice, seniors are increasingly wanting to age in place.

Caregiving can be rewarding, but it can also be exhausting for the caregiver. Too often the caregiver neglects taking care of themselves while they are caring for a relative or friend. Fortunately, the Chatham County Council on Aging offers a Family Caregiver Support Program with a multi-faceted approach aimed at helping the caregiver thrive, not just survive. The Council leads two monthly caregiver support groups, and also provides caregiver respite — placing aides in the home, allowing the caregiver some breathing room to take care of themselves for a few hours a week.

The COA’s Caregiver Support Program also offers Powerful Tools for Caregivers classes to give caregivers the tools to take better care of themselves while caring for a loved one. Six 90-minute classes have been scheduled for this fall at the Western Chatham Senior Center in Siler City. The classes will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesdays and run from Sept. 21 to Nov. 2 (no class on Oct. 5).

The classes are free, but voluntary contributions are accepted to cover the cost of the participant books.

To register for this series of classes, please RSVP to Susan Hardy at 919-542-4512, ext. 231, or email her at susan.hardy@chathamcoa.org by Sept. 15th. Participants must be fully vaccinated. Current COVID indoor guidelines will be followed. Space is limited so please register soon.