Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a six-week workshop for unpaid family caregivers. There are now two versions of this workshop one focused on family caregivers of older adults (the original Powerful Tools for Caregivers) and one for family caregivers of children (both minor and adult) with special needs (Powerful Tools for Caregivers of Children with Special Needs). Both versions provide caregivers with the tools they need to better care for themselves during their caregiving journey. By taking care of their own physical, emotional and financial needs, the family caregiver becomes a better caregiver.

Are you helping a spouse, partner, parent, or friend? Someone who lives at home or in a nursing facility? Is someone close by or across the country? Do you have a child with special needs? It doesn’t matter. This program will help you cope with the challenges that come with your added role of caregiver.

The workshop will give you tools to:

• Reduce stress, guilt, anger, and depression
• Manage your time, set goals, and solve problems
• Master caregiver transitions
• Make tough decisions
• Communicate effectively with your care receiver, family members, doctors, and paid helpers

For more information about the Powerful Tools for Caregivers Program or to find an open class, you can visit the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging website or the Powerful Tools National Organization.

The Finding Meaning and Hope discussion series was created based on teachings from Dr. Pauline Boss in her book Loving Someone Who Has Dementia: How to Find Hope While Coping with Stress and Grief. This program was created for caregivers of a loved one with Dementia or other cognitive impairments and will help the caregiver build hope and resilience while dealing with complex grief.

This is a FREE 10-week course meeting once a week in which you will build skills to support your health and resilience as a caregiver. This group program features videos and discussions. It is virtual via Zoom and requires access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access. For questions or assistance call 877-485-2372.

This is a facilitator-guided virtual book club that reads through a book chosen by the Dementia Care Specialist and meets weekly to discuss it and related topics. Participants receive a FREE copy of the book. This program is often virtual.

Past books include:

• “High-Octane Brain” written by a board-certified neuropsychologist Dr. Michelle Braun covers the maze of conflicting media advice on supplements, brain games, nutrition, and exercise. Braun interviews eight leading brain health experts, combining their insights with cutting-edge research to offer proven strategies to implement the five steps of the High-Octane Brain. Interactive exercises guide readers to develop a personalized program for optimal brain health.
• “Loving Someone Who Has Dementia: How to Find Hope When Coping with Stress and Grief” is a guidebook designed for caregivers, family, and friends, of someone impacted by dementia, as well as educators and professionals. Written by Dr. Pauline Boss, the book builds on research and clinical experience delivered in a conversational way to help caregivers find hope in “ambiguous loss”—having a loved one both here and not here, physically present but psychologically absent.

The Boost your Brain and Memory program is an 8-week evidence-based course that focuses on lifestyle aspects that impact brain health, as well as help participants develop memory strategies to use in their day-to-day lives. The program is open to anybody, with a focus on how to keep your brain healthy and slow the progression of dementia for those with a diagnosis. Boost your Brain and Memory may also reduce the risk of developing dementia in those without it, though there are no guaranteed ways to prevent onset of the disease.

The program covers topics such as physical activity, emotional health, intellectual activity, nutrition, spiritual activity, and social engagement. Boost your Brain and Memory aims to address these topics to help participants build a healthier lifestyle in ways that improve memory, promote better organization, increase attention, and manage emotions.

The ADRC’s arthritis-friendly senior fitness fall-prevention class is an evidence-based program, based on and expanding from the Arthritis Foundation’s Exercise Program. We have partnered with senior fitness organization Live 2 B Healthy to offer this ongoing class to help improve balance, strength, and flexibility and empower you to stay healthy and independent.

The course is facilitated by a nationally certified trainer with progress tracking available. Located at the Osceola Community Church. To register contact Kelly Nygard at KellyN@Live2BHealthy.com or 612-751-9151.

The ADRC offers a fixed number of vouchers each year for a program called Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less. It is a 15-week virtual fitness program enrolled in by an individual with a new session beginning each month. Participants can elect one of multiple time slots to enroll in a class that fits their schedule. You may attend the class on your computer, laptop, smartphone, iPad or tablet. You are not required to have a microphone or a camera in order to participate in the program. All communication on the participant end is done through typing in the chat box on the screen. The program operates through Zoom.

Each lesson teaches foundational skills, focuses on sustainable changes, and is delivered in an interactive real-time format with a live instructor. This is an evidence-based program facilitated by North Carolina State University. More information is available HERE.

Each lesson includes:

• Information about why the behavior is important for weight loss/maintenance
• Practical strategies for adopting the behavior
• 3-5 minute physical activity break
• Ways concepts can be adopted by the whole family
• Opportunity for sharing and celebrating
• Suggestions for living mindfully
• Guided discussion of strategy for the week