AMES, Iowa—Do you help take care of an adult with one or more chronic conditions? If so, you are not alone. Over 43.5 million family caregivers in America provide a vast array of emotional, financial, nursing, social, homemaking and other services on a daily or an intermittent basis. Caregiving can be a stressful responsibility leading to poor health, mental distress and less life satisfaction for the caregiver. It can be challenging for caregivers to find the support that they need, says Malisa Rader, a human sciences specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. ISU Extension and Outreach offers educational resources for family caregivers. Powerful Tools for Caregivers is an educational series designed to provide tools you need to take care of yourself. If you take good care of yourself, you will be better prepared to take good care of your care receiver. As a participant you will learn how to: reduce stress, improve self-confidence, better communicate your feelings, balance your life, increase ability to make tough decisions and locate helpful resources.

A Telehealth Powerful Tools for Caregivers of Adults with Chronic Conditions series is scheduled for six Mondays, starting January 25, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. A second series is scheduled for six Tuesdays, starting February 2, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM. The course will provide you with the tools you need to take care of yourself.

The program costs $35 per person or $40 per couple, and registration can be found online at https://bit.ly/2L8o5Gp

“Caregivers who thrive, rather than just survive, understand that by taking care of themselves they are better able to provide meaningful care,” said Rader, who specializes in family life issues. To learn more, visit https://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/ptc-tools.

(contributed press release, ISU Extension and Outreach)