We're Offering free HELP for caregivers

Community Caregivers Inc. is hosting a workshop series to help individuals and family caregivers understand and navigate the changing world of health care. It’s called the Health Engagement and Literacy Project (HELP).

Expert panelists and guest presenters will offer important information for older adults, family members, and advocates on the following topics:

-- Friday, Feb. 26: Trend and Patient Rights gives an overview of developments in the healthcare landscape shaping new directions in patients’ role in their care. Patient rights include your rights as a hospital patient and accessing your medical records. The guest presenter is from the Statewide Senior Action Council;

-- Friday, March 11: Talking with Your Doctor explains how to communicate effectively with health-care professionals. The program will be presented by the Community Caregivers team, including an Albany Medical College student volunteer.

-- Friday, April 8: Hospital to Home -- Part One. The first part on transitions covers what every patient and caregiver need to know for successful hospital discharge. The program will be presented by a guest expert panel and includes an overview of New York’s new Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act.

-- Friday, April 22: Hospital to Home -- Part Two. The second part on transitions covers what happens once you are home from the hospital, to plan for a successful recuperation. The session will be conducted by a guest expert panel.

-- Friday, May 6: Advance Health Care Directives covers planning to make choices that are right for you. The session will go over how to choose a healthcare representative to ensure that wishes for your care are known and honored. The guest speaker will be announced later.

All sessions will begin at 10 a.m. at the Hampton Inn (formerly Holiday Inn Express) at 1442 Western Ave. The one-hour sessions are free to attend, but advance registration is required. Please call 456-2898 to register or for more information.

Community Caregivers Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that provides non-medical services, including transportation, and caregiver support at no charge to residents in Guilderland, Bethlehem, Altamont, New Scotland, Berne, Knox, and the city of Albany through a strong volunteer pool of dedicated individuals with a desire to assist their neighbors. To find out more about our services or our volunteer opportunities, please visit www.communitycaregivers.org or call 456-2898. Editor’s note: Linda Miller is the Outreach and Education coordinator at Community Caregivers.

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