MONROE — Providing care for a friend or family member can be a rewarding experience, but it often provides challenges too. Over 65 million family caregivers in America provide a vast array of emotional, financial, nursing, homemaking and other services on a daily or on an intermittent basis and often find themselves struggling to meet the needs of both their loved one and themselves. 

Powerful Tools for Caregivers is an educational workshop series designed to provide tools caregivers need to better care for themselves. Participants will learn how to reduce stress, improve self-confidence, better communicate feelings, find life balance, increase their ability to make tough decisions and locate helpful resources.

Green County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is sponsoring Powerful Tools for Caregivers in Monroe September through October this fall. The program was adapted from a model from Stanford University, and has been test and evaluated. Classes consist of six, 1.5 hour sessions held once a week. Two experienced leaders conduct each class. Interactive lessons, discussions and brainstorming help you take the “tools” you choose and put them into action for your life. Also receive a free copy of, The Caregiver Helpbook — a helpful resource guide used in Powerful Tools for Caregivers.

Sessions are scheduled every Thursday for six weeks and begin on Sept. 9 running through Oct. 14. Classes will be held at the Green County Human Services Building in Monroe from 10-11:30 a.m.  This program is free of charge. For more information or to register, contact Green County ADRC at 608-328-9499.