“Caring for the Caregiver,” a free, four-week series designed to help those who are caring for the needs of a friend or family member find personal meaning in the experience, is being held at several times and locations in early 2012 by Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

The general public is welcome to register for any of the following sessions:

• In partnership with the Area Office on Aging and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Northwest Ohio, sessions are being held at Oak Leaf Village, 4220 N Holland Sylvania Road, Toledo, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. on January 11, 18, 25 and February 1. Please RSVP to the MS Society at 419-897-9533 – Option 2.

• In partnership with the Area Office on Aging and Way Public Library, sessions are being held at the library, 101 E Indiana Avenue, Perrysburg, from 6:30 – 8:00 pm on February 2, 9, 16 and 23. Please RSVP to Janel Haas at 419-874-3135 ext. 119.

• In partnership with the Area Office on Aging and the Village of Ottawa Hills – Village Life, sessions are being held at Ottawa Hills Elementary School, 3602 Indian Road, Ottawa Hills, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on February 8, 15, 22 and 29. Please RSVP to Sandy Brown or Shelly Jamieson at 419-537-9852.

Participants in the workshop will learn how to:

• Cope with changes, losses and life transitions;
• Say what is important to friends and family;
• Explore the spiritual aspects of caregiving;
• Create positive caregiving experiences;
• Talk about end-of-life care and make important decisions;
• Know what to expect as caregiving becomes more complex;
• Plan for the future.

“While the classes provide practical information about the physical needs of care-receivers, their primary focus is on the emotional needs of the caregivers. We help them find ways to take better care of themselves so they, in turn, can take better care of their friend or relative,” says the Caregiver Team at Hospice of Northwest Ohio. “Throughout the course, they learn ways to turn day-to-day activities into meaningful, memorable experiences.”

For more information or to request caregiving classes for your group, call Hospice of Northwest Ohio at 419-661-4001.

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