It’s a fact, caregivers have higher levels of stress than noncaregivers. If you are serving as a caregiver to a loved one, I want you to know you are fulfilling a valuable role! I also want you to know, that it is ok to take care of yourself too. We can help with that!

K-State Research and Extension is pleased to provide Powerful Tools for Caregivers, a virtual educational series designed to help reduce stress, improve self-confidence, communicate feelings better, balance life, increase ability to make tough decisions, and locate helpful resources.

Classes consist of six sessions held once a week. My colleague from Southeast Kansas and I are trained class leaders and will conduct the series virtually this fall.

Interactive lessons, discussions and brainstorming will help you take the “tools” you choose and put them into action for your life. You will receive a book, “The Caregiver Helpbook,” developed specifically for the class, along with handout materials. A registration fee of $5 is requested, price reduced thanks to support from the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas.

Virtual classes will be held Mondays, Sept. 12 through Oct.

17, from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Register online at https://kstate. qualtrics.com/jfe/form/ SV_3smZwv2TWU4Uh5I, or by calling Jessica Kootz at (785) 472-4442. Class size is limited and pre-registration is required.

While we can’t stop stress from occurring, we can help manage it.

Too much stress, especially over a long time, can harm your health.

You may not get enough sleep or physical activity, or eat a balanced diet — which increases your risk of medical problems.

The following are some ideas to help you manage your caregiver stress:

• Take a break from caregiving.

Take a walk or meet up with a friend. Do something not related to caregiving.

• Get support. Attend a support group, have a friend you can call just to let off steam, or look for community resources.

• Relax. Read a book, meditate, pray, garden, knit, take a long bath.

• Take care of your health. Go to the doctor, get routine exams and flu shots, get enough sleep, and eat our fruits and vegetables.

• Change “guilt” to “regret.”

Guilt means you did something wrong, regret means that you are in a difficult situation and sometimes you have to make difficult decisions, but they are not wrong.

• Forgive yourself — often. You cannot be a perfect caregiver, all day, every day.

• Ask for and accept help when offered. No one can do this alone. We often don’t know what to say when someone offers help.

Prepare for this and create a task list to have ready. When someone asks you if they can help, refer to your list and say “YES.” Let them choose what task on the list they would like to do!

• And finally …. Laugh. Find ways to keep your sense of humor on a daily basis.

Jessica Kootz is the family and consumer sciences agent in the Midway Extension District. For more information, e-mail jessicak@ksu.edu or call a Midway Extension District office at (785) 472-4442 or (785) 483-3157.

Jessica Kootz