Workshops provide critical information and care for the caregivers

Susan Bigelow was a caregiver for her mother which taught her hard lessons she would use while being a caregiver to her husband in later years. Bigelow learned lessons the hard way, some by trial and error and others through the friends that help at the Hub on Smith. Last year she teamed up with Wyoming AARP to ensure that no one else has to face the same trials by fire. 

S. Bigelow  

Bigelow and AARP Wyoming President Stella Montano made an appearance on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse to talk about the Care for Caregivers series of workshops.

The twelve weekly workshops began on Sept. 9, and will continue every Monday night until the last night Nov. 25. But caregivers can join the workshops at any time. 

S. Montano

The workshops begin with a light dinner at 5:30 p.m. to alleviate the need for caregivers to provide dinner for their loved one. The dinner is followed by the workshops and activities for loved ones at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall at Holy Name Catholic Church, 9 South Connor St.

Below is a schedule of the Care for the Caregivers Workshops and the topic that will be covered each night. 

Sept. 9 Caregiver Role

Sept. 16 Gathering Loved One’s Information

Sept. 23 Nursing homes and other options

Sept. 30 Legal Considerations & Veterans’ Rights

Oct. 7 Safety & Mobility

Oct. 14 Financial Planning

Oct. 21 Medicaid & Medicare

Oct. 28 Home healthcare & Home care

Nov. 4 Caregiver Brain Health

Nov. 11 Funeral Planning

Nov. 18 End of Life Decisions Funeral Planning

Nov. 25 Access to Veterans Benefits

There is no cost associated with attending the workshops. There is no obligation to arrive on time or stay for the entire workshop. Bigelow, Montano and their team organized the workshops to provide the information that each individual caregiver may need or wish to know.