Does your mom or dad take care of a loved one (perhaps one cares for the other)? Do you know what your parents are going through? Your parent is in a new role of caregiver when helping a spouse with things he/she cannot do because of a medical condition’s disabling effects. How do you better support your parent during this time?

Caregiving Relationships: Conversations on Aging is a program for adult children supporting their aging caregiver parents. The session is scheduled for Tuesday, March 22, 2016, 6:30 – 8:45 pm at the Montgomery County Extension office, 400 Bridge Street, Suite 2, in Red Oak.

Research shows that spousal caregivers are more likely to provide care with help from adult children than to accept help from community supports or nonfamily members. Kim Brantner, Human Science Specialist in Family Life, says “The program helps adult children learn to recognize how caregiving affects relationships. It helps them discover their role in making decisions about their parents’ later life.” It also helps adult children build talking and listening skills and gain ideas on how to start difficult conversations.

A local coalition is working to bring resources to the county to address family caregiving issues. The next learning opportunities include The Finances of Caregiving, a series of five 2 hour classes beginning in April; and the Powerful Tools for Caregivers program, a series of six 2-1/2 hour classes designed especially for family caregivers. The series will start in May in Villisca.

For more information, contact Stephanie Langner, Montgomery County Extension, 712-623-2592.