YORK COUNTY — Thanks to a $16,000 grant from the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation, funding for monthly caregiver support training for the next year in York County has been covered.

Sponsored by the Southern Maine Agency on Aging the new caregiver support programs start in June.

According to SMAA’s Chief Executive Officer Lawrence Gross, all of the new programs will be presented by an experienced caregiver specialist, often a licensed social worker, and will cover such topics as establishing boundaries, stress management, planning, and aging myths and realities.

He said that in some instances respite care will be offered so that would-be caregivers will be able to participate without worrying about caring for the needs of their loved ones.

Programs will include refreshments and opportunities for participants to socialize with other caregivers facing similar situations.

“I am excited about our ability to reach so many caregivers within the communities we serve with quality educational programs,” Gross said. “We are thankful to the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation for recognizing our expertise in supporting caregivers and for making such an impactful gift.”

Gross said that the Southern Maine Agency on Aging has a long history of supporting caregivers including providing information and resources about adult day care, home care, long term care and respite care, along with offering caregiver education programs.

The agency also owns and operates two Adult Day Centers including the Stewart Center in Falmouth and the Sam L. Cohen Center in Biddeford, which focus on person-centered programming for adults with memory loss.

“By providing these educational programs, we hope to empower caregivers to get the emotional support and encouragement they so desperately need as they care for their loved ones,” said Eugene Scanzera, director of Medicare Products for Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. “Harvard Pilgrim is proud to partner with SMAA to bring these opportunities to Maine residents.”

The Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation was launched in 1980 and supports Harvard Pilgrim’s mission to improve the quality and value of health care for the people and communities its serves by providing the tools, training and leadership to build healthy communities throughout Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Since its inception, the foundation has distributed more than $145 million in funding for deserving programs.

In 2017, it awarded more than $2.3 million in grants to more than 900 nonprofit organizations across four New England states.

The Southern Maine Agency on Aging serves people ages 60 and older, family caregivers, and people under 60 with a disability. Agency services are dedicated to fulfilling its mission to improve the quality of life for older adults, adults with disabilities, and the people who care for them.

— Executive Editor Ed Pierce can be reached at 282-1535 ext. 326 or by email at editor@journaltribune.com.