Powerful Tools for Caregivers®

Powerful Tools for Caregivers® is an education program to help family and friends caring for older adults with long-term health conditions (e.g., stroke, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and others).

Powerful Tools helps caregivers develop skills and confidence to better care for themselves while caring for others. It is a six-week series led by trained facilitators using a standardized curriculum. The weekly topics range from reducing your stress to communicating in challenging situation and mastering caregiving decisions.

Many caregivers have found this class beneficial, including those caring for a spouse or partner, or adult children caring for parents. The older adult you are caring for can be living with you, in a nearby community or across the country.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers® class participants report the following:

  • Are better at caring for themselves,
  • Have fewer feelings of anger, guilt and depression,
  • Have increased confidence and ability to cope with the demands of caregiving, and
  • Are more likely to use community services.

Classes are held for 2 ½ hours or 90 minutes once a week for 6 weeks.

Most sites charge a fee to cover the cost of classes and manual. The amount varies by site. Scholarships may be available upon request. 

To learn more:

  • To obtain a copy of The Caregiver Helpbook contact Powerful Tools for Caregivers, Portland, Oregon, USA at 1-503-719-6980 or purchase online from the website – http://www.powerfultoolsforcaregivers.org/book-store/  For those interested in implementing this program

Contact the Minnesota Board on Aging at [email protected] to learn more about becoming a class leader.