Alzheimer’s and Dementia Training for Family Caregivers Begins Nov. 1

SOUTH HADLEY — Savvy Caregiver, a free, six-session training series for family and friends caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, will be offered beginning on Nov. 1 at Loomis Village, 20 Bayon Dr., South Hadley. The sessions will be held on Fridays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. through Dec. 13.

Developed by experts in caregiving techniques, the Savvy Caregiver course goes beyond introductory educational offerings and provides clinical-level training for family caregivers. Participants will graduate with skills to assess the abilities of their loved ones, strategies to manage activities of daily living, and a perspective on the course of Alzheimer’s and related disorders. Participants will receive a manual to refer to at home. They will have ‘homework’ following each session that will provide opportunities to practice new skills and assess how things are working between sessions.

The program is conducted by certified Savvy Caregiver practitioners Carol Constant and Dan Marx. Class size is limited. For more information or to register, call Carol Constant at (413) 588-5184.

“For most family caregivers, caregiving itself is a new role, one for which training is needed, just as you would receive training for any new job,” said Constant, certified dementia practitioner and director of Community Engagement at the Loomis Communities. “The Savvy Caregiver program helps caregivers better understand the changes their loved ones are experiencing and how to best provide individualized care for them throughout the progression of Alzheimer’s or dementia. Participants will learn how to feel better about their caregiver role and how to care for themselves.”