Powerful Tools for Caregivers – Wayne County
Pat Swartzlander and Donna Donald
 
Problem:
Every day over 20 million Americans act as family caregivers. These caregivers face many challenges. It is stressful physically, emotionally and financially. Often caregivers take care of others but neglect themselves.

Response:
Eight caregivers from Wayne and Wayne counties completed Powerful Tools for Caregivers (PTC) in late spring 2005. It is a national Mather LifeWays program originated by Legacy Health Services in Portland, Oregon. The class in Corydon (Wayne County) was one of the first held in Iowa.
 
Over the course of six weeks caregivers learned about 25 tools needed to take care of themselves as they care for an older adult. Caregivers learned how to: reduce stress; improve self-confidence; better communicate their feelings; balance their lives; increase ability to make tough decisions; and learn to locate helpful resources.
 
Extension staff facilitated the classes held at the Wayne County Hospital. Local supporters included: Hospice of Southern Iowa, Wayne County Hospital, Miles Law Firm, Richard Darrah, Randolph Funeral Homes, and Wayne Family Medical Clinic.
 
Impact:
Seven of the eight participants completed an evaluation at the conclusion of the program. The results are as follows:
 
After completing PTC, how helpful will these tools be in caring for yourself? (rated as very or extremely helpful)
100% (7)    Group discussions
100% (7)    Making an action plan
100% (7)    Using “I-You” messages for communicating
100% (7)    Relaxation exercises
086% (6)    The Caregiver Helpbook
086% (6)    The Dollmaker video
086% (6)    Using positive self-talk
 
As a result of PTC do you believe you are a more confident caregiver than you were before taking the class?
100% (7)    Yes
Did the class provide you with helpful information about community resources?
071% (5)    Yes
 
What did you like best about the program?

• The sharing of problems and ideas.
• Everyone got to say and hear different ways to get things done.
• The feeling of caring and sharing and dealing with actual real problems.
• Very logical and sequential presentation of helpful ideas. Excellent class discussions.
• Disciple of action plans has been very helpful.
• Class discussion and finding out that we are not out there alone.
• The action plans – helped focus on ourselves and making time for us.

Contacts:

Donna K. Donald Family Life Field Specialist Iowa State University Extension 309 North Main, Leon, IA 50144 Phone 641-446-4723; Fax: 641-446-6142 Email ddonald@iastate.edu

Pat Swartzlander County Extension Education Director Wayne and Lucas Counties Wayne:  PO Box 281  Courthouse Corydon, IA 50060 Lucas:  48293 Hy Vee Rd Chariton, Iowa 50049 Phone 641-872-1755 (Wayne office); 641-774-2016 (Lucas office) Email pswartz@iastate.edu

 

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