FAMILY CAREGIVER TRAINING SERIES

  May - July 2009

Helping Older Adults Fight Depression: Strategies for Caregivers

This course examines the nature of human depression, how and why it occurs in older adults, and what caregivers can do to help older adults.  The course covers treatment and intervention strategies, community resources in Hawaii, and ways to avoid depression as well as recover from it.  Aging and cultural issues affecting depression and caregiving issues are also discussed.  Teaching/learning modalities include demonstration and practice, group exercises, audio-visual presentations, and lecture.

Instructor:  Douglas Kreider, MA, MPH.  Mr. Kreider has been working in Hawaii in programs related to older adult services for over 20 years, most recently with a UH-based program on older adult mental health.  He holds Master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology and Public Health Education.

   Course No.:  092HSFCG3               Course Fee:  $15

 September - December 2009

Located at Kapi’olani Community College

Kapi'olani Community College (KCC) is offering 4 series of workshops designed specifically for family caregivers interested in learning skills for the care of their elderly parents, spouse or relative. The workshops are planned by the KCC Kupuna Education Center and are taught by experienced health and elder care educators. Pre-registration is required and class sizes are limited.

Series I:  Family Caregiver Skills:  Personal Care and Transfer Techniques

This is a skills-based series condensed into three 2-hour workshops.  Participants will learn how to assist with bathing, incontinent care, dressing, oral care, range of motion exercises and proper transfer techniques from the bed, chair and wheelchair.  The skills learned in the 3 workshops are based on established techniques for safety, preserving dignity and prevention of injury to both the elder and caregiver.  Tips on how to take care of you, the caregiver, are also included in each session.  The workshops utilize the KCC Nursing Lab facilities and emphasize direct hands-on skills.  Participants are encouraged to practice. Class size is limited.

Instructors: Manu Maunupau, LPN is currently the Head Health Manager with Child and Family Service, Gerontology Program's Senior Case Management and has many years of experience as a hospital nurse.   Ann Low PT, MCSP is an instructor in the KCC PT Assistant program.

Course No.:  093HSFCG1        Course Fee:  $15

Series II:  The Basics of Family Caregiving

Family caregivers of an elder are provided an overview of caregiving during a series of six 2-hour workshops. Participants will learn what is involved in caring for a family elder, the skills that are needed for caregiving, and decision making about providing care to an elder at home.  The workshops will include the following topics: Assisting with activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing, eating, etc., normal aging and common chronic health conditions, managing medications, nutrition and diet, Community services, Legal and financial considerations, Memory exercises to keep the aging mind sharp,Tips on caring for an elder with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, and How to care for you, the caregiver.  The skills learned in the 6 workshops are based on established techniques for safety, preserving dignity and the prevention of injury to both the elder and caregiver. 

Instructor: Mary Osorio, BA is a case manager with Child and Family Service, Gerontology Program's 'Ohana Care.

Course No.:093HSFCG2       Course Fee:  $30

Series III: Helping Older Adults Fight Depression: Strategies for Caregivers

This course examines the nature of human depression, how and why it occurs in older adults, and what caregivers can do to help older adults. The course covers treatment and intervention strategies, community resources in Hawaii, and ways to avoid depression as well as recover from it.  Aging and cultural issues affecting depression and caregiving issues are also discussed. Teaching/learning modalities include demonstration and practice, group exercises, audio-visual presentations, and lecture. Course fee includes class handouts and workbook.

Instructor:  Douglas Kreider, MA, MPH.  Mr. Kreider has been working in Hawaii in programs related to older adult services for over 20 years, most recently with a UH-based program on older adult mental health. He holds Master's degrees in Clinical Psychology and Public Health Education.

Couse No.:  093HSFCG3                   Course Fee:  $30

Series IV:  Dealing With Your Parents' Stuff

You started out pitching in when the folks asked for a little help.  Over the last few months or years you've taken on more varied and greater responsibilities.  Contending with both physical and cognitive changes the folks are more overwhelmed than ever; bills go unpaid, the house is cluttered , and all the signs tell you it's time to take charge and make necessary decisions. How do you approach the subject with your parents and siblings? Which documents should you gather and update?  Should you share responsibilities, hire a caregiver or consider other accommodations?  What do you do about a lifetime of accumulated stuff?  Join us with your questions and experiences.  Fee includes workbook "Getting It Together Before You Go--How to Organize Your Life, Estate and Personal Wishes"

Instructor:  Barbara Cook, MA, DC has 30 years of experience as a chiropractor, Educator and gerontologist.  During this time Dr. Cook has worked with hundreds of seniors and their adult children on issues that focus on the family dynamics of the caregiving experience and its effects on multiple generations.

Course No.:  093HSFCG4                    Course Fee:  $50

For those interested in classes at Leeward Community College, please call 455-0500.

For more information please call us at 734-9108.