The saying goes: it takes a village to raise a child, but sometimes it may also take a village to care for other loved ones such as elders.

Prior to the pandemic, the Guam/Micronesia Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program under the University of Guam was providing training sessions on campus for the public in regards to geriatrics and how to care for those with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. UOG Dean of nursing, Dr. Margaret Hattori-Uchima shared details on the program.

"We would have caregivers you know, that work for agencies like Catholic Social Service, Mayor's Council of Guam, Health Services of the Pacific would actually come for ongoing training," she said.

Although COVID may have put their efforts to a halt in March, Hattori-Uchima says as of last month, they held training sessions dealing with fall prevention via Zoom, and tonight, from 6 to 7 p.m. there will be a session on caregiver stress management. Amber Uncangco works with the program.

"A lot of times it can be a really stressful job, but we want to remind them that we're here and we care about you as well, and so we want to give some tips and some just reminders on things they can do to make sure that they are equipped and ready to care for their loved ones as well," she said.

Some common stressors as a caregiver can range anywhere from emotional stress such as anger and depression to physical stress including high-blood pressure and affected sleep.

"We are finding that some caregivers just aren't taking care of their own health and becoming ill as well, and that that's a terrible situation," Hattori-Uchima said. "You know, if the caregiver becomes ill, then who's going to take care of the person that they were taking care of.

The next training will be this Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 to 11 a.m. Those interested in the training sessions can contact 735- 2652 or email uog.gwep@triton.uog.edu.