Northwest Iowa — People who take care of special needs children may soon have another resource.
According to Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Human Sciences Family Life Specialist Lori Hayungs, the Powerful Tools for Caregivers curriculum has always been geared only to those who take care of older or disabled adults. But that may be changing.
She says the details are not worked out yet.
According to the curriculum’s web site at powerfultoolsforcaregivers.org, it’s a six-week class, in which caregivers develop a wealth of self-care tools to: reduce personal stress; change negative self-talk; communicate their needs to family members and healthcare or service providers; communicate more effectively in challenging situations; recognize the messages in their emotions, deal with difficult feelings; and make tough caregiving decisions. Class participants also receive a copy of The Caregiver Helpbook, developed specifically for the class.
For more information, you can contact your local extension office.
