Free caregiver training opportunities

Unpaid caregivers can find community, build skills and confidence through free training offered by the Family Caregiver Support Program.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers

In this class, gain skills to empower yourself while navigating the role of caring for others. This educational opportunity can be a source of guidance and growth as you care for your loved one.

Learn how to:

  • Relieve stress
  • Improve self-confidence
  • Communicate feelings more effectively
  • Increase the skill of making hard decisions

For information on upcoming classes contact the Family Caregiver Support Program Coordinator at 503-988-8210.

The Savvy Caregiver

Developed by Emory University, this research-backed class is for anyone caring for, or living with someone with dementia. Reduce your stress and increase your confidence as a caregiver.

With this class you will gain:

  • An understanding of dementia
  • Tips on how to provide the best care
  • Information and coping skills for the progression of dementia
  • A handbook to complement the class

For information on upcoming classes contact the Family Caregiver Support Program Coordinator at 503-988-8210

The STAR Caregiver Program

This evidence-based program targets challenging behaviors commonly occurring with those who have Alzheimer's or other kinds of dementia. This might look like moments of sadness, depression, sleep issues, resistance, or verbal and physical aggression. Learn how to reduce these struggles to improve the quality of time spent with those you care for.

What you will gain: 

  • Personalized, home-based strategies for effective caregiving
  • Tools for common struggles and challenging behaviors 
  • Clinically proven methods to reduce caregiver depression
  • Overall decreased anxiety and frustration in your home

The process:

  • A STAR consultant will conduct training with you through four home visits and two phone calls
  • The consultant will follow up with four additional phone calls after program completion

This program is available in Multnomah, Jackson, and Josephine counties.

For additional information call the ADRC Helpline at 503-988-3646.

STAR Caregiver Print Materials

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Last reviewed September 21, 2026