Powerful Tools for Caregivers
The 6-week series for the Powerful Tools for Caregivers Educational support group just ended at the Moon Library. The support group reached capacity as 12 caregivers were in attendance. Everyone went home with some useful tools. Stories were told, supportive resources were shared, long-term goals were planned, and tears were shed.
Judy Bischoff, a caregiver in the class provided us with feedback. “I am grateful I was given the opportunity to attend the Powerful Tools for Caregivers classes. I greatly enjoyed your presentation each week and participating in class exercises with others. It was very worthwhile and eye-opening to discover that so many others are having difficulties in their lives and Lisa and Kim were sincerely uplifting in all of our classes.”
The educational series helped family caregivers reduce stress, improve self-confidence, communicate feelings better, balance their lives, increase their ability to make tough decisions and locate helpful resources. Interest and a need for a monthly support group in the Moon Township area was expressed and Lisa Story is looking into the resources and possibility.
The caregiver support group was co-facilitated by Lisa Story, Executive Director and Counselor for Hope Grows and Kim O’Brien, Community Relations Coordinator for UPMC Health Plan. Hope Grows would like to thank UPMC for Life for their in-kind support for the materials/books for the support group. We have several caregivers on a wait list for another offering of this series and will be implementing a group late April/early May.