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The Stress-Busting Programs (SBP) are evidence-based and proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression and improve the quality of life for family caregivers.
Master Training Dates
2024 Master Training will be for the Dementia Stress-Busting Program and take place using zoom over a 4-day period. Each day training will be 4 hours.
Organizations can request a 4-day option not listed below as long as they are training a minimum of 4 Master Trainers.
2024
Quarter 2: May 29-30 and June 5-6
Quarter 3: August 28-29 and September 4-5
Quarter 4: October 30-31 and November 6-7
Training is from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm CST
Cross-training in the Chronic Illness Stress-Busting Program available on request
The Stress-Busting Program was developed by Dr. Sharon Lewis and the UT Health San Antonio. The SBP meets the Administration on Aging’s highest criteria for evidence-based programs and has a proven track record of success in helping family caregivers to manage their stress and cope better with their lives. The are four programs available: Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers of Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Dementias, Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers of Person with Chronic Illness; Un Camino Hacia el Bienestar Program Par Eliminar el Estres De Las Personas Que Cuidan a Sus Familiares (Spanish Language Dementia Program Adaptation), and Stress-Busting Program for Caring Professionals Combating Compassion Fatigue and Burnout.Participants receive everything they need including a handbook, access to relaxation strategies videos, and a meditation. The Stress-Busting classes are led by two trained group facilitators who can provide the program at churches, senior centers, senior housing, assisted living, and other locations that are convenient for family caregivers.The WellMed Charitable Foundation is looking to work with interested organizations to provide the Stress Busting Program to their caregivers. Agencies interested in empowering caregivers by providing the Stress-Busting Programs in their local communities should contact the non-profit WellMed Charitable Foundation at stressbusters@wellmed.net or by calling 866-390-6491.
The program consists of 90-minute sessions that occur once per week for 9 weeks. The program is conducted in a small group setting with two trained group facilitators. Participants are provided with many resources including a handbook covering class material, a meditation CD, and a relaxation strategies DVD. Program handbooks for caregivers to participate in the program are available for purchase separately.
| Week | Title and Content | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Getting Started: Group introductions, purpose, and expectations of program. | Relaxation Breathing |
| 2 | Stress: Effects on Mind, Body, and Spirit: Causes of stress, mind-body-spirit connections to stress. | Meditation |
| 3 | Caregiver Stress and Relaxation: Effects of stress, relaxation response, creating a relaxation environment. | Imagery |
| 4 | Facing Challenges: Understanding and managing difficult and challenging situations when caring for someone with dementia or a chronic illness. | Hand Massage |
| 5 | Grief, Loss, and Depression: Grieving process and losses related to caring for someone with dementia or a chronic illness. | Art |
| 6 | Coping with Stress: Discussion of changeable and unchangeable stressors. Changing roles and relationships. Use of coping strategies. | Aromatherapy |
| 7 | Positive Thinking: Changing the way one can think (cognitive restructuring) and how to view situations in a more positive framework. Twisted thinking is discussed. | Journaling |
| 8 | Taking Care of Yourself: Healthy Living: Integrating the strategies learned in earlier sessions to help develop a healthier lifestyle. Emphasis on incorporating good nutrition and sleep habits, exercise, and hobbies into daily routines. | Music |
| 9 | Choosing a Path to Wellness: Final integration of first 8 sessions and applying it so caregivers will be empowered to take care of themselves. Caregivers create a plan to do this and focus on healthy living. Discuss assertiveness skills. |
The program is delivered using a Master Trainer/group facilitator model. Master Training is available to organizations that purchase a license and take the Master Training course. Master Training sessions are conducted in San Antonio, Texas over a two-day period. Training can also be conducted outside of San Antonio for groups of 8-10, but arrangements must be made separately.The Master Trainer session lasts two days and includes:
At the end of the training, persons who successfully demonstrate knowledge and ability to facilitate groups will:
Master Trainer certification will remain with the licensing organization. If a Master Trainer leaves the licensed organization, he or she will no longer have Stress-Busting Program certification to hold groups or train facilitators. The organization may contact us to arrange training for new Master Trainers.
For more information contact the WellMed Charitable Foundation at stressbusters@wellmed.net or by calling 866-390-6491.
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