DOWAGIAC — A course to help those caring for a loved one with memory loss is coming to the Cass County Council on Aging Monday.

The COA will host a Creating Confident Caregivers course starting Monday. The course is intended to teach coping and caring skills to those offering in-home care for a loved one suffering from dementia, such as Alzheimer’s Disease. Classes will be on Mondays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 1 to Nov. 5. The classes will take place the at COA’s Front Street Crossing location, 227 S. Front St., Dowagiac. The course will also be offered on Mondays at the Niles District Library from 1 to 3 p.m. starting Oct. 15 through Nov. 19.

The course is free for those who are eligible for the program, and COA and the Area Agency on Aging will provide care for family members while participants are taking the class, free of charge.

“This class is for people taking care of a family member in the home that has a memory issue. It doesn’t have to be diagnosed dementia, just some kind of memory issue,” said instructor Keryl Conkright. “It’s important that it is within the home, not in a nursing home or assisted living. Though it is certainly not easy to have a family member with dementia in a nursing home, that changes the dynamic and the lessons taught, so this is really for people caring for someone in their own home.”

The course will teach caregivers how to improve their caregiving skills, the effects of dementia on the brain, how to manage memory loss behaviors, how to handle everyday activities and how to better take care of themselves as caretakers, according to Conkright.

“This class is about teaching what the role of a caregiver is, how to take care of your loved one and how to take care of yourself, as caregivers can let themselves go and put their own needs to the side,” Conkright said. “It’s a wonderful program that sheds light on dementia caregiving, and allows that caregiver to see the light at the end of the tunnel, because this is the hardest job anyone will ever, ever take on.”

Conkright said it is important for caregivers to learn the skills taught in the course, because it provides caregivers with the support they need to be the best caregiver they can be for their family members.

“Dementia changes up life and how the caregiver approaches their loved one, as the caregiver is the only one that can change,” Conkright said. “I’ve seen this class make a significant difference in caregivers’ lives.”

Conkright said she hopes the course will be able reach anyone who needs it.

“[Caregivers] should know that they are not alone. Dementia is slow and sneaky and subtle. This class helps them realize that there are other people in this same situation,” she said. “Knowledge is power, and once people have that knowledge, it gives them the strength to go through the day and be a more successful, savvy caregiver.”

To register for the course at the COA, call the COA at (800) 323-0390, ext. 222. To register for the course at the Niles District Library, call the Area Agency on Aging at (269) 983-0177. All those looking to participate will be screened by Conkright to ensure they are eligible for the course.