Grants will fund free caregiving classes

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The nonprofit organization Hawaii Community Caregiver Network received $5,500 in community grants that will be used to offer Powerful Tools for Caregivers classes.

The nonprofit organization Hawaii Community Caregiver Network received $5,500 in community grants that will be used to offer Powerful Tools for Caregivers classes.

Donors include: West Hawaii Healthcare Council ($3,000), Walmart ($1,000), Young Brothers ($1,000) and PFI Rubbish Services, Inc. ($500). Hawaii Community Caregiver Network will use the West Hawaii Healthcare Council grant to develop and train more volunteer Powerful Tools for Caregivers class leaders. The other grants allow the organization to offer classes to West Hawaii family caregivers at no charge.

The classes are designed to help family caregivers cope with the demands of caring for loved ones with chronic medical conditions. The six-week class series teaches family caregivers self-care tools to reduce personal stress, change negative self-talk, communicate effectively in challenging situations with family members, health care and service providers, deal with difficult feelings and emotions and make tough caregiving decisions.

Starting in January, the classes will be held in Hawi, Waimea, Kailua-Kona and Kealakekua.