Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
Providing care to a loved one can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Family caregivers often become so busy and overwhelmed trying to meet the needs of the care receiver and other family obligations they find themselves neglecting their own needs, ultimately increasing their stress. This can be the beginning of a downhill spiral which negatively impacts the entire family.

Response:
Iowa State University Extension conducted a three day facilitator training for the Powerful Tools for Caregivers (PTC) program during 2008 attended by the Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging Caregiver Specialist. Based on a chronic disease self-management program developed at Stanford University, PTC was created by Legacy Health System in Oregon and is currently disseminated by Legacy Caregiver Services. Extension and HVAAA then partnered to offer the Powerful Tools for Caregivers class at the Cedar Falls Senior Center during April and May 2009. Six participants attended weekly 2 ½-hour classes for six weeks.

Impact:
The following information is based on the five participants present at the last class. How valuable was this program for you? (scale of 1 [Poor] to 10 [Excellent]) Class Program Average participant rating 1 Introduction, Self-Care Principles 9.60 2 Identifying Signs and Reducing Stress 9.80 3 Communicating Concerns and Feelings 9.75 4 Communication in Challenging Situations 10 5 Understanding and Learning from Emotions 9.25 6 Mastering Caregiving Decisions 9.2 As a result of this class, do you believe you are a more confident caregiver than you were before taking the class? Yes-5, No-0 In what ways? • Focusing on my emotions and needs – I knew I needed to, but this was a good re-enforcement • Managing stress – Frustration – Better cooperation/forgiving attitude • I am now “aware” of so many things to improve my life as a care giver. • I feel I am not alone being a caregiver Other comments included: "I think this class is excellent." "It was so helpful it’s hard to think of making it any better."

Additional Team Members or Community Partners:
Lou Stockdale, Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging lstockdale@hvaaa.org 319-272-2498

Contact:
Donna Andrusyk
Bremer County Extension
720 7th Ave SW
Tripoli, IA 50676
319-882-4275
andrusyk@iastate.edu