“SLRCOG Helps Train Caregivers”
Santee Lynches Regional Council of Governments
2525 Corporate Way, Suite 200
Sumter SC 29154
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT
Connie Munn, (803-774-11376)
11/29/18
Sumter, SC – For Immediate Release
Over a six-week period in September and October, certified trainers from Santee Lynches Regional Council of Governments (SLRCOG) had the opportunity to provide weekly training sessions for seventeen family caregivers. These classes took place on Monday nights for ninety minutes and utilized “Powerful Tools for Caregivers” curriculum. The classes offered unpaid family caregivers’ training to provide the best possible care for their loved ones and emphasized self-care and healthy communication. Often, caregivers forget to take care for themselves when providing for adults with dementia or serious disabilities. This class emphasized the critical need for self-care in order to reduce all the stresses and health risks associated with caregiving. Tools that caregivers learned during this class included: “Reducing personal stress,” “Communicating effectively in challenging situations,” “Family caregivers and the workplace,” “Making tough decisions,” and “Loss, Grief and end-of-life issues.” Caregivers reported that after learning how to effectively utilize these tools, they were able to provide more effective care, better manage their family and work life, and reduce stress. As one caregiver wrote: “I’m at home 24/7 caring for my mother with Alzheimer’s. I’ve learned how to be patient, kind loving and understanding. I don’t want my mother to go in any nursing home. I believe the best preparation for tomorrow is doing my best today.”
We believe that we can help train caregivers to give their best today. We know that in many cases family caregivers will die before the patient they care for. When a family member is sick and requires significant in-home support, caregiver’s work, finances and health suffer. Santee Lynches Regional Council of Governments and the Family Caregiver Support Program will continue to offer these classes on a regular basis in order to support caregivers and provide them with excellent training. Program Coordinator - Josh Houben stated: “We believe that when caregivers learn how to take better care of themselves, they don’t just provide better care, but they are equipped to better serve in their workplace and community.”
Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments is a premier organization committed to optimizing each member’s unique strengths by leading regional unity to create global impacts and cultivating a highly desired region to live, work, and play. We serve the counties of Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee and Sumter and the cities of Bishopville, Camden, Manning and Sumter. Our mission is to deliberately enhance the quality of life and provide opportunities for the advancement of our region.
We are a member of the SC COG network (SCCOGS.org). Collectively, the SC COGS are also solution providers, conveners, and consultants to the 10 regions of South Carolina. We provide a standard of excellence in the delivery of federal, state and regional services for our member communities to benefit all of South Carolina.