Powerful Tools for Caregivers

Presented by: Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging,

Wisconsin Department of Health Services and their partners

Caregiving Programming• Individual & community education• Assistance gaining access to services• Individual counseling and support groups• Respite care• Supplemental Services to complement care

provided by caregivers• Funding available– Title III-E (NFCSP)– Title III-D– AFCSP

2

Why Needed?• While caregiving often rewarding, can be

stressful.• Caregivers at high risk of depression and

stress-related illnesses.• Can be physically, emotionally and financially

exhausting.• Often overwhelmed by taking care of others• Most family caregivers don’t realize

importance of taking care of selves• PTC focuses on needs of caregivers.

3

The PTC Program

• For family caregivers • 2.5 hours/week• Six weeks• Community workshop• Led by two trained co-leaders• Over 1,700 class leaders in 32 states• Has reached over 70,000 caregivers

4

The PTC Program• Evidence-based• Meets AoA’s highest standard• Based on Stanford CDSMP and its success• Developed by team of professionals in Portland,

Oregon in 1998; been offered since 2000• Developed over 3 years of:

– Pilot-testing– Refinement– Evaluative research

5

Researched. Evidence-based to Improve:

• Caregiver’s self-care behaviors • Management of Emotions • Self-Efficacy • Use of Community Resources

6

Gives caregivers tools to:• Reduce stress, guilt, anger and depression• Improve self-confidence• Better communicate feelings and concerns• Manage their time, set goals and solve

problems• Master caregiving transitions• Increase ability to make tough decisions• Communicate effectively with care receiver,

family and health care providers• Locate and use local resources

7

Target Population• Family (not facility) caregivers, e.g.,– Spouses/partners – Adult children of aging parents

• Regardless of living situation of care receiver;• Whether care receiver is living:– At home alone, with others or with caregiver– At home or in a facility– In same town or across the country

• Same outcomes for diverse groups

8

Weekly ContentsWeek 1: Taking Care of YouWeek 2: Identifying and Reducing Personal StressWeek 3: Communicating Feelings, Needs, and

ConcernsWeek 4: Communicating in Challenging

SituationsWeek 5: Learning From Our EmotionsWeek 6: Mastering Caregiving Decisions

9

PTC in Wisconsin• Begun in 2000 by UW-Extension• Moved to Wisconsin Alliance for Family

Caregiving• 2009: Moved to Bethany Homes– Twice/year Leader Trainings

• 2013: Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging

10

Leader Qualifications & Characteristics• Health care, aging network professionals or lay• Experience with caregiving• Experience leading groups of adults• Agree to attend two full-day Leader training• Agree to follow PTC script• Agree to lead at least one workshop each year• Agree to work with a sponsoring organization• Agree to follow WIHA administrative

protocols

11

WIHA collects data on:• Leaders• Workshops• Participants• Why? –Funders–Policymakers–Program Planning

12

Support for Leaders• Listserv• WIHA Leader Newsletter• Regular Leader conference calls• Technical assistance

13

Leader Training

• Two full days – must attend both• Learn caregiver support concepts• Learn curriculum of PTC program• Learn group facilitation• Learn WIHA protocols• Upon completion, receive PTC Leader

license from PTC national office

14

First WIHA Leader Training• November 7-8, 2013• Madison• Master Trainers: Lynne Scheinoha and Deb

Brunner • $200/person• Includes $100 license• Includes all materials needed to lead

workshop

15

Leader Training – to apply• Leader Application – link on WIHA website• Attend in pairs, unless already a leader in county• 20 person limit• Complete Planning and Implementation Plan• Commit to requirements– Stick to script– Have a co-leader– Have sponsoring organization– Plan first workshop to start by 02/01/14– Lead at least one workshop each year– Follow WIHA administrative protocols

16

? ? ? QUESTIONS ???• Betsy Abramson 608-243-5691 betsy.abramson@wihealthyaging.org

• Judy Rank 920-683-4180 judyrank@co.manitowoc.wi.us

• Jane Mahoney 608-228-8096 jane.mahoney@gwaar.org

• Deb Brunner 715-252-3892 brunner1@charter.net

• Lynn Gall 608-266-5743 Lynn.gall@dhs.wisconsin.gov

17

THANK YOU!We look forward to working with you

to continue and expand Powerful Tools for Caregivers in Wisconsin