Westchester To Provide Caregiver Coaching Training

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Westchester County's Department of Senior Programs and Services wants to train volunteers to provide support to family caregivers.

The Livable Communities Caregiver Coaching Program, sometimes called the L3C Program, is an initiative of the department and is also sponsored by the Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services and Fordham University's Ravazzin Center on Aging.

County Executive George Latimer said the success of the county's Caregiver Coaching program is a testament to the growing need for caregiver support in Westchester.

"Our residents are living longer, and that is good news," he said. "However, that means that many of our seniors will be living with chronic illnesses that require the help of caregivers."

Latimer said the Caregiver Coaching program is designed to assist caregivers in the role they play by providing support, as well as vital information about programs and services in the county.

Westchester is looking for volunteers to take the program, whether or not they have caregiver experience, to help make a difference in the quality of life for people in their communities.

The Caregiver Coaches do not take the place of professionals in the field or do caregiver tasks themselves. They do not offer medical or legal advice.

The training will be taught by professionals, such as social workers, nurses and geriatric care managers, and will provide volunteers with basic information such as "Understanding the Aging Process" and "Challenges Caregivers Face."

Organizers said the training classes will take place over two days, for a total of about eight hours. Coaches will also attend monthly coach conversation meetings where challenges encountered during coaching can be shared and solutions generated.

For more information or to register, call DSPS at (914) 813-6441 or send an email to cap2@westchestergov.com.

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