Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging has announced a new online educational opportunity for caregivers: CARE Coaching Online.
Developed by the Institute with the support of the American Business Collaboration for Quality Dependent Care (ABC), this seven-module course provides working caregivers (current and future) with essential tools, knowledge, and behaviors to effectively deal with a variety of issues arising from caring for older relatives or friends through application of effective coaching skills.
According to the American Society on Aging, one out of every four households has a family caregiver providing some form of care or service to a relative or friend over age 50, 40% of these family caregivers are also raising children, and nearly two-thirds of these family caregivers are working either full- or part-time.
Working caregivers provide many types of help to older parents, relatives, or friends, including shopping for groceries, running errands, paying bills, or even physical care in some cases. The most common type of caregiving relationship is an adult child caring for an older parent. For many, it may be difficult to think about aging parents facing health care issues, navigating the health care system, needing long-term care, or communicating about end-of-life care.
With CARE Coaching Online, caregivers can identify and understand needs and preferences of older adults; manage health information and record keeping; understand key aspects of the health care system and its utilization by older adults; better prepare for potential relocation of older adults and transfers within the system; and more.
CARE Coaching is a model developed specifically for working caregivers that combines the best of what is known about coaching methods.
For more information, please contact Jon Woodall, Online Programs Manager, at jwoodall@matherlifeways.com or (847) 492.6753.
