Empower caregivers with research-based strategies to improve elder care

URBANA, Ill. — The number of older adults in the U.S. continues to rise, and the need for more caregivers comes with that.

This demographic shift underscores the importance of initiatives to support caregivers and provide them with the necessary resources and assistance.

The University of Illinois Extension is offering the “Thinking, Learning, Caring” research-based webinar series that will provide useful information to help caregivers provide quality service to their clients, support personal resilience, gain knowledge, and develop strategies to help meet the needs of older adults in long-term care settings.

“Helping caregivers understand ageism, social isolation, and age-related life changes can help them better understand their clients and improve their care. Caregivers and clients will benefit greatly from the knowledge and strategies gained by attending these free online seminars,” says Cheri Burcham, Extension educator. “Helping caregivers identify compassion fatigue and strategies to prevent it helps them keep their jobs and improve their well-being.”

All sessions are presented from 2 to 3 p.m., and topics include:

• “Addressing Ageism and Promoting Inclusivity” on Thursday, April 11.

It is not uncommon for those living in the third stage of life to be categorized as the 55 or 60-plus group, which can subtly suggest that they are so similar they can be “lumped” together.

This catchall approach implies that older people are more alike than different from each other, which is a stereotype. Generalizations or stereotypes can lead to ageism or discrimination based on a person’s age.

The truth is, we are all aging, but ageist attitudes influence how we think of others and even ourselves. Come and learn more about what ageism is, how it impacts society, and ways to promote inclusivity in the community.

• “Don't Go It Alone: Improving Your Social Connections” on Thursday, May 9.

Research increasingly shows that social isolation and loneliness can deeply impact the quality of life, especially for older adults. And some studies show that more than a fifth of adults in the United States identify themselves as lonely, isolated or both.

This session will help participants to define the difference between social isolation and loneliness and identify the risk factors for both. The various consequences of isolation and loneliness also will be discussed, as well as strategies for staying connected with others.

• “Navigating Changes as We Age” on Thursday, June 13.

Everyone is aging, and there are many changes that happen along the way — physically, mentally, financially — in about every aspect of your life.

This session will examine some of those changes and how to adopt a mindset that is more accepting of change that will result in improved well-being and possibly new opportunities.

• “Compassion Fatigue: The Cost of Caring for Others” on Thursday, July 11.

Too often caregivers prioritize the needs of others over their own needs — and their needs matter! As hard as they may try to separate caregiving work from other areas of life, they often find their identity and self-worth in the work that they do.

Compassion fatigue is a negative aspect of this work as helpers that can occur and may lead to burnout and even vicarious trauma.

In this session, participants will look at the risk factors and symptoms of these challenges, and then focus on the importance of self-care, explore various types of self-care and the methods for making it a priority.

Register for free at go.illinois.edu/TLCWebinars2024. Continuing education units (CEUs) are available.

For more information or if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, contact Cheri Burcham at cburcham@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.

The Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities. Illinois Extension is part of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.