Success StoryPrepare to Care
Prepare to Care
Author: Brenda Cockerham
Planning Unit: Johnson County CES
Major Program: AARP Prepare to Care
Plan of Work: Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Outcome: Initial Outcome
Preparing for later life experiences can be challenging. One of the best strategies is to prepare oneself to face possibilities that may lie ahead. Six participants participated in 4 lunch and learn sessions on "Prepare to Care", these sessions focused on the importance of building a network of supporters should they or someone they love, fall into a situation requiring care. Having a plan, being aware of categories of concern in order to take action, assembling a team, and opening up the dialogue between family members about the possibilities of needing care were all a part of the series. As a result of the program, all participants indicated they had become somewhat or well prepared to discuss possible care arrangements with a family member or friends, all indicated they had learned something about caring for others emotionally, physically, garnering support for them, and assembling a team. All indicated that they increased their understanding of preparing for caregiving. 80 percent indicated as a result of the program, they have already begun or plan to soon create a caregiving plan as well as to make a financial plans for possible long term care situations. One stated of the program that it " was timely given- having health issues and needed a way to record and plan for the future in the event of a health crisis. We are all growing older and need to be realistic for our own personal well being". (The lunch and learn featured Cooking through the Calendar recipes).
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