MSU Extension Hosts Respite Retreat for Caregivers on Nov. 4 – Taking Care of YOU

MSU Extension Healthy Aging presents a Caregiver Respite Retreat at the Cottonwood Inn, in Glasgow, on Monday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This retreat aims to provide caregivers a chance to take a break from their caregiving responsibilities and spend a day prioritizing their well-being. Caregiving can be very demanding, both physically and mentally, and this retreat is an effort to allow those individuals to take a day and focus on self-care.

Caregivers can take on many responsibilities and come in many different forms. As defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, a caregiver is a person who provides consistent care or assistance to any friend or family member who has health issues or a disability.

Caregivers may assist with many needs of the individual they are caring for, including finances, household tasks, shopping, bathing, managing medications, and more. These individuals may be providing in-person care, but they can also be assisting their friend or family member from a distance. This amount of responsibility can cause many challenges for caregivers and even lead to health issues from stress such as depression and anxiety.

The upcoming respite retreat is an opportunity for caregivers in northeast Montana to gather with those with similar experiences and take some time for themselves.

In addition to the retreat being free to all participants, MSU Extension and the other two sponsors, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and Montana Lifespan Respite, realize that it may be difficult for caregivers to take a whole day for themselves for many reasons, including financial barriers. To alleviate some of that stress, we will give a $100 Visa gift card to all participants to assist in finding someone to care for their loved ones during the retreat.

If you are interested in attending the retreat please register by contacting Roubie Younkin at the Valley County Extension, 406-228-6241.