Family Caregiving

family caregiving More than 22 million American Families are Caring for a Loved One at Home.

Caring for a parent, spouse or friend at home can be overwhelming. If you are like most caregivers you want to feel you are doing everything you can to provide the best care possible. Plus like many caregivers, you may have many other commitments including a job and additional family.

But you're not alone. In January 2004, the American Red Cross released a new Family Caregiving Program. This exciting new program offers you a helping hand by providing a variety of information-packed sessions covering topics that can help you provide the care that your loved one may need, including subjects such as home safety, healthy eating, and bathing, as well as legal and financial issues. There's even a session that helps you take care of yourself.

This new Family Caregiving Program has been designed to:

Teach skills for caring for the elderly, chronically ill and disabled at home;
Help organizations in the communities served by the American Red Cross provide services that benefit the growing senior population
Prepare families to take on the responsibility and challenges of caring for a loved one at home.

The program consists of nine individual topic-based modules for caregivers. Choose those modules that best fit your needs - they can be taken separately or in combination.

For Fact Sheets on each topic , click on the title below:

Each module is offered in a one hour session and for a nominal fee. No matter which module is selected, participants will enhance their skills, reduce stress and build confidence. Healthcare organizations or agencies can easily work with their local American Red Cross Chapter to deliver the Family Caregiving Program through its flexible delivery methods. The training can be offered at the organization or agency location, individuals can be sent to a local Red Cross chapter to attend sessions, or your organization can become an authorized provider-your own prospective presenters can self-study the materials and teach individuals at your organization or agency location or in the community. For more information about becoming an authorized provider, please click here In developing the Family Caregiving Program, the American Red Cross received guidance and support from many organizations and individuals with expertise working with caregivers and in Caregiving.

If you are interested in more information about this new program - 704-720-7424 or e-mail redcrosstraining@ctc.net.