As part of Family Caregiver Week, The Family Caregivers’ Network Society, a non profit organization based in Victoria, is offering several programs. One of the events is a free one hour tele-workshop, Surviving Eldercare: Where Their Needs End & Yours Begin, given by me on May 10th from 7 to 8 p.m.  

Registration information for all courses is below:

Caregiving from the Heart: Connecting through Curiosity & Deep Listening

Communication is most effective when we take time to connect from the heart. Making connection a priority in our caregiving relationships helps to alleviate assumptions and barriers, and increase compassion and understanding for each other. In this experiential playshop (yes, you will get to play), explore how curiosity and deep listening can bridge relationships and close the communication gap. Learn to ask questions that help to clarify needs and assumptions and that engage the heart versus the mind. And learn to listen not just to people’s words, but to the person behind the words – to hear what they are saying at the emotional level. Connect from the heart with family and friends and strengthen your capacity as a family caregiver.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Multi-Purpose Room, Salvation Army Citadel, 4030 Douglas Street, Victoria
Vince Gowmon, Certified Professional Life Coach and founder of Remembering to Play Events.
$25.00 for FCNS members $30.00 for non-members

Registration: Contact FCNS at 250-384-0408 or register on-line at www.familycaregiversnetwork.org. Payment can also be mailed to 526 Michigan St., Victoria, BC V8V 1S2. Space is limited. Deadline to register is May 1st.

FREE BC-Wide Tele-Workshops

Family Dynamics and Caregiving: Separating the Past From the Present
Monday, May 7, 2012 Noon – 1:00 PM
Allison Reeves, Registered Clinical Counsellor

The stresses of the caregiving relationship can often cause past unhealthy family dynamics to reappear and make the whole situation even more difficult for both individuals involved. Knowing how to separate current caregiving issues from those on-going family dynamics can make resolving these issues a whole lot easier. In this tele-workshop you will learn how to more easily distinguish what is solvable in the immediate moment and what isn’t; you will feel more empowered as a caregiver with this knowledge. The focus of the session will be on what you can do differently and not on how to change what the person receiving care may or may not be doing.

Surviving Eldercare: Where Their Needs End and Yours Begin
Thursday, May 10, 2012 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Ellen Besso, Midlife Coach and Author

This tele-workshop will help you find the balance between the demands of your life as a family caregiver and your need for personal and professional time. Learn how to distinguish between tasks that are absolutely necessary and those that are not, and to delegate some of the responsibilities you now carry alone. Build a team of trusted others to help share the work with you and to support and encourage you in this exacting role.

Registration: To register call the Care-ring Voice Network at 1-866-396-2433 or register on-line at www.careringvoice.com. Connect to the tele-workshops simply by using your telephone.