Moraine Valley and PLOWS Offer Family Caregiver Classes

PALOS HILLS, IL -- Do you take care of a chronically ill family member? If you are a caregiver to an older loved one, Moraine Valley Community College is offering a series of new classes to assist family caregivers. Classes will be held on the Palos Hills campus at 9000 W. College Parkway.

The Family Education Caregiver classes, offered in conjunction with the PLOWS Council on Aging, focus on legal and financial issues, caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s and caring for the caregiver. Each class is $10 and will be held in Building T, Room T002.

Legal and Financial Issues, Wednesday, April 11, 6 to 7:30 p.m. -- Caregivers will learn about the legal and financial issues that affect them and the loved one for whom they provide care. Topics include advanced directives, maximizing employee benefits for the caregiver, budgeting, and the Medicare/Medicaid programs.

Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s, Wednesday, April 18, 6 to 7:30 p.m. -- Emphasizes caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, as well as how to handle common behaviors associated with the disease such as hoarding, rummaging and depression.

Caring for the Caregiver, Wednesday, April 25, 6 to 7:30 p.m. -- Prepares individuals who are family caregivers to recognize the signs of caregiver stress, identify ways to make time for themselves, and discover ways to access community resources for themselves and their loved ones.

“We offer these programs to help our clients make proactive and informed decisions not only for themselves but for their loved ones,” said Catherine Stowers, PLOWS caregiver specialist. “These programs help normalize the aging process and help caregivers not feel isolated.”

For more information on the classes, call (708) 974-5735 or email ccce@morainevalley.edu. Registration is available online at Moraine Valley Non-Credit Classes, by calling (708) 974-2110 or in person in the Registration Office in Building S.