The Schmieding Home Caregiver Training Program of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in cooperation with North Metro Family Medical Center will hold a free family caregiver workshop Feb. 21 for those who would like to learn about caring for an adult with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
The workshop, which is open to the public, will be held 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the North Metro Medical Center in Jacksonville. For more information or to register, call (501) 351-1543 or email rcarter@nortmetromed.com. Lunch is provided. Space is limited.
The program is sponsored by UAMS’ Arkansas Geriatric Education Collaborative. The collaborative is funded by a Health Resources and Services Administration grant of $2.4 million for a Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program.
Taught by Donna LeBlanc, MSN, APRN, the workshop will present an overview of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and provide caregiving tips that maintain respect, dignity, and quality of life for the person living with dementia. Information will be presented on nutrition, behavior, communication techniques, and activities.
About 452,000 family caregivers in Arkansas provide an estimated $4.7 billion in unpaid care each year, helping their loved ones with bathing and dressing, cooking meals, transportation, finances, and complex medical tasks like wound care and injections.