Respite Squad Training

Often, as Vermonters age, family and friends are taking care of their loved ones to keep them in their homes. Many of these caregivers become increasingly unable to care for themselves as they take on this loving responsibility at the expense of careers, families, and their own well-being. The cost and availability of a professional caregiver to provide them with respite is often unattainable.

Vermont’s Area Agencies on Aging are seeking to enlist and train volunteers to offer caregivers a minimum of 3 hours of respite per week. We will be holding training courses for volunteers who are committed to providing respite to caregivers on a weekly basis.

During the training you will learn strategies on how to interact with a family caring for a loved one, many of whom have dementia.

As a volunteer, you will build trust and bonds with a family to provide them with crucial assistance. You will also reap the benefit of having a rewarding and enjoyable volunteer experience, knowing that you are making a meaningful difference in your community.

• Session 1:
  • The basics and responsibilities of being a respite volunteer
  • Understanding of dementia
• Session 2:
  • Communication strategies with families and care recipients
  • General safety principles for the benefit of families and yourself
• Session 3:
  • Family as the unit of care
  • Strategies to handle grief and bereavement of the family as well as your own
• Session 4:
  • Setting and maintaining boundaries with the family
  • Processing closure with the family

Please register by Friday, February 17th by emailing, [email protected] or call, 802-662-5249.