Registration is now open for Savvy Caregiver, a free training program that provides family caregivers with skills and knowledge about dementia.
The course will be taught at the SCES office, located at 61 Medford St., Somerville. Classes will meet from 12–2 pm on Wednesdays starting September 25 and will run for 6 weeks. Parking is available.
Savvy Caregiver is a nationally recognized evidence-based dementia family caregiver training program. It is designed to provide relevant knowledge and skills to support family members as they provide care for their relative or friend living with dementia. Savvy Caregiver programs have been proven to decrease family caregiver distress, burden, and depression, while increasing caregivers’ sense of competence and confidence in their care role.
Savvy Caregiver provides person-centered, active-learning programs in a variety of formats that integrate core principles and insights from gerontology, nursing, family systems, and occupational therapy. The curriculum includes an overview of dementia and its various stages, along with how its progression can impact daily life. Families learn strategies to enhance their own self-care as well as day-to-day time with their person.
The SCES Savvy Caregiver class will be taught by the following instructors:
Nathaniel Meyer is a Social Worker who has been helping families provide the best care at home through the SCES Adult Family Care program for 11 years. He has taught Savvy Caregiver since 2017.
Juan Bautista is a Bilingual Home Care Case Manager, who helps older adults maintain independence and well-being by coordinating in-home supports and services. Juan is fluent in Spanish and has been with SCES for three years.
A limited number of slots are available for the course. To register call Meghan Ostrander at 617-628-2601 ext. 3172 or email meghan.ostrander@eldercare.org. Local transportation is available for the classes.
Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services is a non-profit agency that supports the independence and well-being of older adults and adults with disabilities in Somerville and Cambridge. For free advice and guidance on questions of aging, caregiving or disability, contact our Community Support Center at 617-628-2601, email info@eldercare.org, or visit our website eldercare.org.
