The Powerful Tools for Caregivers course is a 6-week course, offered virtually four times in 2023, with Session 1 starting in January, Session 2 starting in April, Session 3 starting in August and Session 4 starting in October. Class #3: Communicating Feelings, Needs, and Concerns Participants learn how to communicate their feelings, needs and concerns more effectively by using “I” messages. Through brief dramatizations, participants experience the impact of both “I” messages and “You” messages (which tend to sound blaming and put people on the defensive). They practice changing “You” messages to “I” messages, and identifying when statements beginning with…

The Powerful Tools for Caregivers course is a 6-week course, offered virtually four times in 2023, with Session 1 starting in January, Session 2 starting in April, Session 3 starting in August and Session 4 starting in October. Class #4: Communicating in Challenging Situations Participants practice two communication tools – assertiveness and Aikido – which are helpful in difficult situations. They learn a four-step process, called DESC (Describe, Express, Specify, and Consequence) for using the assertive style of communication. With Aikido, participants learn how to align and find “common ground” with a person who is distressed. A segment highlights guidelines…