Health and Wellness Education – Family Caregiver University

Family Caregiver University is a health and wellness education program offered by the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan to help family caregivers build the knowledge and skills they need to care well — for their loved ones and for themselves. It treats caregiving as something that can be learned, offering structured education rather than leaving families to figure everything out on their own.

The program provides classes and educational sessions on the practical and emotional dimensions of caregiving. Typical topics include understanding specific conditions, communication and behavior strategies, managing stress and preventing burnout, navigating the care system and available resources, and planning for changing needs over time. By giving caregivers a curriculum and a community of peers learning alongside them, Family Caregiver University builds both competence and confidence. As an Area Agency on Aging program, it is also a gateway to the broader network of services families may need.

This resource matters because educated, supported caregivers experience less stress and provide better care, yet most people step into the role with no training at all. Investing a few hours in learning — how to communicate, how to manage a condition, how to care for oneself — pays dividends across the entire caregiving journey. For western Michigan families, Family Caregiver University offers accessible, trustworthy education from a respected regional organization. Caregivers can learn more and find current offerings through the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan at aaawm.org.