Caregivers: Searching for Guidance and Support
The MCHD offers Powerful Tools for Caregivers to support individuals in caring for themselves and their loved ones.
The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) is pleased to sponsor a Powerful Tools for Caregivers curriculum at the Jonathan Creek Christian Church near Sullivan, IL. The six-week course will be offered from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. every Wednesday beginning September 24 through October 29, 2025.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers is an evidence-based program that focuses on the special needs of caregivers for persons living with dementia. During the six-week curriculum, caregivers learn new ways to identify and address the physical, mental, and emotional stresses of caregiving.
Who are the Caregivers?
Caregivers help individuals meet their daily needs. These needs may include assistance with household tasks, managing financial and personal affairs, or completing personal care needs such as bathing, meal preparation, and transportation.
Informal caregivers are unpaid individuals who have a personal connection with the care recipient. These caregivers can be adult children, spouses or partners, other relatives, friends and neighbors, and members of the family's church.
Caregivers may live with an individual, visit to complete tasks as needed, or, in some situations, visit infrequently. In any circumstance, caregivers assist their care recipient with managing daily activities the individual would otherwise be unable to complete.
Challenges of caregiving are not always care-related. The changing needs of a loved one, the time management of additional obligations, and sometimes the effect of expectations vs. reality can strain the mental and physical well-being of the caregiver.
A Caregiver's Story
When Jackie's mother suffered a heart attack and died suddenly, Jackie inherited a heavy responsibility. Her mom had been caring for Jackie's Aunt Barbara, who was living with progressive dementia.
Jackie was willing to help and readily stepped in. At first, assisting Aunt Barbara with tasks such as medication reminders, grocery shopping, and doctor visits fit easily around Jackie's part-time job and busy family life.
However, across time, Barbara's condition began to decline, and her need for assistance increased. On Barbara's behalf, Jackie continued to juggle the responsibilities of her own life and maintain Barbara safely at home.
Unfortunately, Jackie is now exhausted from trying to meet everyone's needs. She is frequently overwhelmed and feels guilty when she becomes frustrated and short-tempered at home. Jackie needs guidance and support, but has no idea where to turn for help.
How Caregivers Can Benefit
Like millions of others, Jackie has discovered that caregiving can be physically, mentally, and emotionally stressful.
The Powerful Tools for Caregivers program enables caregivers to reexamine and rebalance their lives. Program participants learn techniques to identify and deal with daily stressors. They acquire new skills to improve and maintain their comfort and well-being in this vital role. They also discover local and national resources that can assist them and their care recipient. Perhaps the most valuable takeaway that caregivers receive is recognizing they are not alone.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers is available to informal caregivers living in and around Moultrie County. The program is provided by the Moultrie County Health Department. It's available at no cost to participants through a grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
If you are caring for someone, we encourage you to become a more empowered caregiver. Register before September 19, 2025, by contacting the Moultrie County Health Department at (217) 728-4114. Our staff will be happy to answer your questions or enroll you in this upcoming class.