Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services is bringing Savvy Caregiver dementia training to The Cambridge Homes in January. The six-week course will be taught by SCES Social Worker Nathaniel Meyer (left) and Case Manager Juan Bautista. — Photo courtesy of SCES

Registration is now open for Savvy Caregiver, a free training program that provides family caregivers with skills and knowledge about dementia.

Offered by Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) the six-week course will be taught at The Cambridge Homes. Classes will convene from 10:00 a.m. to noon on Fridays from January 26- March 1.  

Savvy Caregiver is a nationally recognized evidence-based dementia family caregiver training program. It is designed to provide relevant knowledge and skills to support family members as they provide care for their relative or friend living with dementia. Savvy Caregiver programs have been proven to decrease family caregiver distress, burden, and depression, while increasing caregivers’ sense of competence and confidence in their care role. 

Savvy Caregiver provides person-centered, active-learning programs in a variety of formats that integrate core principles and insights from gerontology, nursing, family systems, and occupational therapy. Families learn strategies to enhance their own self-care as well as day-to-day time with their person.

The SCES Savvy Caregiver class will be taught be following instructors:

Nathaniel Meyer is a Social Worker who has been helping families provide the best care at home through the SCES Adult Family Care program for 11 years. He has taught Savvy Caregiver since 2017.

Juan Bautista is a Bilingual Home Care Case Manager, who helps older adults maintain independence and well-being by coordinating in-home supports and services. Juan is fluent in Spanish and will mark three years at SCES in January. This is his first Savvy Caregiver training.

A limited number of slots are available for the course. To register call Meghan Ostrander at 617-628-2601 ext. 3172 or email meghan.ostrander@eldercare.org. Local transportation is available for the classes.

SCES will offer more Savvy Caregiver courses at dates to be announced in 2024.

Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services is a non-profit agency that supports the independence and well-being of older adults and adults with disabilities in Somerville and Cambridge. For free advice and guidance on questions of aging, caregiving or disability, contact our Community Support Center at 617-628-2601, email info@eldercare.org, or visit our website eldercare.org.