Stress Busting for Family Caregivers is a nine-week evidence based program that teaches caregivers many new skills, including information about the disease process, stress management techniques, and a variety of other content. The program is designed to improve the quality of life for family caregivers who provide care for persons with Alzheimer's disease and other related dementias.

Benefits of the class

Participants learn:

• Coping strategies
• Problem-solving skills
• Stress management techniques such as deep breathing, muscle relaxation, guided imagery, meditation, art, music and journaling
• A chance to share experiences with other family caregivers and learn from each other

Program outcomes include:

• Decreased caregiver stress
• Decreased caregiver depression
• Decreased caregiver burdens
• Increased caregiver ability to manage stress and relax

Who should take the class

Anyone taking care of a person with Alzheimer's disease and other related dementias.

One recent caregiver who attended Stress Busters stated that attending the 9-week Stress Busters program saved their life. The caregiver expressed that what was learned was beyond valuable and a great addition to their toolbox when caring for their care partners. The program emphasized the importance of prioritizing the caregiver’s own personal needs; which allowed the caregiver to understand that in taking better care of themselves that they can better care for their care partners.