For those who provide home care services for an older relative or friend, there is a course being offered at the Schofield Residence that may benefit you.

Powerful Tools is a six-week educational program designed to provide family caregivers with the tools they need to take care of themselves.

Schofield Adult Wellness Center, located at 3333 Elmwood Avenue in the Town of Tonawanda, is hosting a class beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010. The classes, which run from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., will be held each Tuesday through Oct. 19.

“In the six 2-1/2 hour classes, family caregivers develop a wealth of self-care tools,” said Laura Mondello, Schofield Residence’s director of Community Relations and Volunteer Services. “These include tools to: reduce personal stress; change negative self-talk; communicate their needs to family members and health care and service providers; communicate more effectively in challenging situations; recognize the "messages of their emotions" and how to deal with difficult feelings; and make tough decisions, e.g., when a family member can no longer live alone or drive safely.”

Participants in the class receive a 300-page book, “The Caregiver Helpbook,” developed specifically for this program. There is a $25 fee for the program; however, Independent Health and Blue Cross/Blue Shield will pay this fee for their members.

For more information, or to register, contact: Erie County Department of Senior Services at 858-2177 or e-mail: caregiver@erie.gov

More information on this class is available on Schofield’s website at www.schofieldcare.org.