Elder care class

WINSTED — Northwestern Connecticut Community College has teamed up with the Winsted Health Center Foundation to create a new elder care class for area residents who may be the primary caregiver for an older family member or friend at home.

The class, which is part of the college’s spring continuing education program, begins next month and has been split into two parts.

The first section of the program is a block of six afternoon classes held once a week that focus on topics such as age-related physical changes, common medical conditions, home safety and fall prevention and assisting with personal care. It begins March 10, and the fee for the six classes is $60.

The second part of the program is a block of four afternoon classes that meet once a week beginning May 12. The topics discussed will include accessing available services, caring for the caregiver and planning for the future. The fee for all four classes is $40.

Tuition assistance is available through the foundation.

Heather Cappabianca, the coordinator of NCCC’s allied health continuing education program, said that this is the first time an elder care course for non-professionals has been offered through the college.

“We think it is an opportunity to be of service for those people who face the challenge of taking care of an elderly family member,� Cappabianca said.

Cappabianca said the college began “brainstorming� with the foundation several months ago on the elder care course. It is the second time the two have come together to create a new program.

Last year, the foundation and school created an oral health program that provides dental screening to Winsted children.

“We’re happy to be working in partnership with the foundation,� Cappabianca said.

Winsted Health Center Executive Director Jonathon Blum agreed.

“We’re excited,� Blum said, adding that the center’s foundation also felt it was important to keep the cost of the course affordable so as many people as possible can participate.

“It’s important that dollars not be the barrier to coming to the class,� he said.

Robert Pam, a consultant who worked with the foundation’s strategic planning committee to help create the class, said while there are one-day elder care workshops and online programs, he is not aware of a similar course being offered for non-professionals in the Northwest Corner.

“No one else is doing this,� Pam said.

For more information about the two-part course or to register, call 860-738-6446 or 860-738-6484. Scholarships are also available by calling the Winsted Health Center Foundation Executive Assistant Kris Griffin at 860-379-0888.

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