A program offered to ISU Extension and Outreach will provide information for adults whose parents have become caregivers for a spouse or loved one.
Caregiving Relationships: Conversations on Aging is a program for adult children supporting their aging caregiver parents. Online programs are scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 28, at 1:30 and 7 pm by Connect. The information is same at each program.
“My mom took care of my dad in his last years. He suffered from dementia and tended to wander. As a family caregiver, my mom made challenging decisions and her daily routine changed dramatically,” shares an adult daughter.
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. “You are a son or daughter to your parent(s) regardless of age, but your role description can change when your parent is in the role of a caregiver,” explains Joy Rouse, human sciences specialist in family life.
“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,” says Rouse. It also helps adult children build talking and listening skills and gain ideas on how to start difficult conversations.
Participants can register online for the 1:30 session at https://bit.ly/crca17220 or the 7 pm session at https://bit.ly/crca17246. Information about how to join the session will be emailed to registered participants before the program.
Persons who want more information can contact Rouse, 515-250-5984, jmrouse@iastate.edu.
