From the Comfort of Home
Last November, caregivers from across California picked up a telephone and were instantly connected to the first TeleCaregiving Workshop offered by California’s Caregiver Resource Centers (CRCs). From Eureka to San Diego and San Francisco to Bishop, caregivers from all over the state came together—without leaving their homes or offices.
Educational workshops for caregivers are regularly sponsored by all 11 of the CRCs at no or very low cost. Barriers to attendance, however, exist for many caregivers. Those barriers might include far away meeting places, scheduling conflicts, and trouble locating alternative care for a loved one. Many caregivers feel bound to their homes. Physical disabilities, rural locales, or lack of transportation also make it difficult for some caregivers to attend workshops in person.
Telecommunication now makes it possible to reach these families without disrupting caregiving routines and without requiring caregivers to leave the place where they provide care.
In the first of three TeleCaregiving workshops, listeners tuned in as Donna Shempp, L.C.S.W., FCA’s Director of Programs and Services, offered practical tips on how caregiver responsibilities can be shared with siblings and other relatives.
After the workshop, we conducted a follow-up survey of participants to see if they felt the program was effective. When asked if the program increased their understanding of family dynamics in their caregiving situation, fully 98 percent of respondents found the new program effective or very effective.
Caregivers were asked how effective the program was in increasing their awareness of options for involving siblings and other relatives in caring for their loved ones and 100 percent of caregivers responded that the program was effective or very effective in increasing their awareness. When asked if the program helped caregivers identify ways to communicate more effectively with siblings and other relatives, 98 percent found the program to be effective or very effective.
Overall, caregivers found the program to be helpful and said they would attend another TeleCaregiving Workshop in the future.
If you’re interested in participating in this new learning experience, watch your mail and email to see when the next sessions will be held. They’re free, easy and couldn’t be more convenient!
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