“This class is a huge encouragement to me,” said one participant of the Support U: Fostering Caregiver Wellness classes offered at her local congregation in 2014. Now two new congregations, trained and supported by Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW), are offering classes for family caregivers in Pierce County this fall at Sts. Cosmas and Damian Parish in Orting and St. Leo Church in Tacoma.
St. Leo is first up, offering Support U on Wednesdays, beginning Oct. 7 and ending Oct. 21. Two classes will be offered each session from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the parish office at the corner of Yakima Avenue and 13th Street in Tacoma. More information is available from Kathy Hitchcock at 253-564-3785.
Sts. Cosmas and Damian Parish will offer shorter sessions with one class each on Thursdays, starting Oct. 15 and running through Jan. 7. Class times and other details are available from Marlene Bartram at 360-893-3661.
“Having classes that serve rural Pierce County is especially exciting,” said Pat Witt, director of the Support U program for LCSNW.
Information is also on the LCSNW web site, including e-mail connections to register for classes.
The class topics include Planning Ahead, Ginding, Creating and Using Resources, Self Care for the Caregiver, Family Dynamics and Communication, Dementia, Chronic Illness and the Family, and Financial Well Being.
Congregations interested in offering the classes anywhere in western Washington can contact Witt at pwitt@lcsnw.org and 253-722-5691.