RSVP hosts training session for respite care volunteers

Nevada Rural Counties RSVP will be holding a training session for our respite care volunteers from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Jan. 22.

The training will include a Senior Theatre Group presentation of a short play by Douglas Hill, associate director of UNLV's Senior Adult Theatre Program. The play is called, "Caregiver Collage," and shows the impact that taking care of a homebound individual can have on the caregivers.

The training session will be hosted at the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension office in Carson City, 2621 Northgate Lane Suite 15.

Respite Care is a free program offered through RSVP that places trained and background checked volunteers in the homes of elderly or disabled persons who are homebound and who have one primary caregiver (usually a spouse, child, or parent). Respite works to give caregivers a break from the 24/7 responsibilities and a little of their life back by giving them time throughout the week to leave the home without the constant fear that something will go wrong with their loved one once they've left the driveway.

This assistance is key in lowering the stress levels of caregivers, by giving them a break to allow a healthier existence and longer life expectancy, and preventing the institutionalization of their loved ones if they are gone.

The performance will be videotaped and re-broadcast on Public Access Channel.

The performance will begin at 10:30 a.m., with the first hour and a half being a brief recap of our mission and providing some of the tools that our volunteers need to take care of the elderly or disabled in our community who are forced to rely so heavily on their service.

For more information and to confirm your attendance contact Susan Haas 687-4680 ext. 7.