Family members, volunteers or job seekers looking to learn or enhance skills to provide help to people caring for others at home are invited to attend an upcoming Respite Education and Support Tools (REST) training. The one-day training will be offered in Manhattan on Thursday, July 23 and also in Salina onThursday, August 13.

Cost is $25 for program materials and lunch. Advance registration is required. Call 800-432-2703 toll-free to reserve your place and to get time and location details.

The training, which covers care topics for providing short-term care for people in all age groups, is sponsored by the North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging and the Kansas LifeSpan Respite Coalition.

Respite is short-term relief for primary caregivers of people with special needs so that they can take breaks from their care responsibilities  According to a recent AARP survey, each year more than 42 million family caregivers provide unpaid care for aging parents, spouses, aunts, uncles, friends or other loved ones so they can live independently at home, where they want to be.

“We know that many caregivers must rely on the help of friends, neighbors and trusted helpers if they are to keep well and keep caring,” said Julie Govert Walter, Executive Director of the North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging.  “Help for caregivers was a top need identified in a recent community needs assessment and this training provides participants with information and practical skills they need to be confident and competent helpers for family caregivers in this part of Kansas, “she said.

Walter said that the Agency plans two other REST trainings in other counties in August  or September.

For more information or to register for the REST training, call the Area Agency on Aging toll free at 800-432-2703. In the Manhattan area call 785-776-9294 or e-mail Cindy Brake at cindyB@ncfhaaa.com.

The North Central-Flint Hills Agency on Aging, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization that plans, coordinates and sponsors services in 18 north central Kansas counties to enhance the quality and dignity of life for older Kansans and their families. The Area Agency on Aging programs and services are partially funded by the Older Americans Act through the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services and voluntary participant contributions. The Area Agency on Aging works in partnership with local and county governments and senior citizens. All services are available without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age or handicap.