The University of Guam’s Guam/Micronesia Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program is offering an opportunity for caregivers of persons with dementia to participate in an online training and certification program called CARES Elder Abuse Awareness and Prevention. This training program focuses on how to recognize signs of elder abuse, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, sexual abuse, and caregiver neglect and self-neglect. It also describes many positive things you can do to help prevent elder abuse.

The program has four modules. The first three modules will be conducted in August and the final module will be offered in September. Participants who complete all four modules will receive a certificate of completion and will be eligible for CARES Dementia Certification. The training schedule for August is outlined below.

Module 1: What is Elder Abuse? · 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 2, or · 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, August 5

Module 2: Dementia and Elder Abuse · 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 9, or · 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, August 12

Module 3: The CARES® Approach and Elder Abuse Prevention · 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 16, or · 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, August 19

Services Available for Guam’s Senior Citizens In the fourth week of August, a representative from the Department of Public Health and Social Services, Division of Senior Citizens will present two sessions on services available for Guam’s senior citizens. These sessions will be held: · 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 23 · 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, August 26

Sharing Caregiver Stories and Finding Support In the final week, two sessions will provide participants with an opportunity to share their experiences as family caregivers of persons with dementia and to receive support and guidance from other members of the group. These sessions will be held: · 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 30 · 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, September 2

Participants can attend the Wednesday or Saturday sessions using the following Zoom links: · Wednesday sessions · Saturday sessions

Ongoing dementia support groups These sessions are part of the ongoing online support groups for family caregivers of persons with dementia being conducted by the Guam/Micronesia Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program of the UOG School of Health. The support group sessions are held on Zoom on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings year-round. The sessions are free of charge to partners, family members, and other caregivers of persons with dementia who have ties to Guam and the Micronesian region.

For more information, contact: Dr. Iain Twaddle or Nikolas Gutierrez Guam/Micronesia Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program Telehealth Geriatric Support Services University of Guam Tel: (671) 735-2883 Email: gwep.tgss@triton.uog.edu

Rhoda Orallo Health Services of the Pacific Tel: (671) 735-3277 Email: r.orallo@hspguam.com