LEWISTON — SeniorsPlus will host the Maine Savvy Caregiver Project training program for six weeks beginning Wednesday, Aug. 12.

Savvy Caregiver is a 12-hour training program for family caregivers of people with dementing disorders, like Alzheimer’s disease. It assumes that family members often take on the role of caregiving without any preparation or training.

Offered in six two-hour weekly sessions, the program will provide family caregivers with knowledge of the disease, the goal of contented involvement and available resources, skills training for dealing with the losses that the disease produces in the person as well as skills on how to take care of oneself as a caregiver and how to develop an attitude that fosters confidence and a sense of mastery in the caregiver role.

Sessions include training, interactive exercises and discussion. Between sessions, caregivers will have readings, exercises and assignments to complete and will report back to the group on the home activities. Feedback will be provided and strategies will be developed to support successful caregiving.

The training is sponsored by the Office of Elder Services, Department of Health and Human Services and funded by a grant from the U.S. Administration on Aging. It is being arranged and provided by the Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter.

Preregistration is required. To obtain more information or to register, contact Cindy Beck at the Alzheimer’s Association at 772-0115.