Free personal care
attendant training
In order to address the urgent need for personal care attendants (PCAs), Greenfield Community College has once again received funding from UMass Medical School to offer a free, 25-hour training to help interested students enter this rewarding and well-paying field.
PCAs help people of all ages with disabilities to live independently by helping them with everyday tasks such as dressing, grooming, housekeeping, shopping and cooking. At this information session, students will learn more about the field and the free training at GCC in November and will have the opportunity to apply for the training. (The training will be held on Nov. 1, 2, 3, 8 and 10, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.)
The current pay in Massachusetts for PCAs is $14.12 per hour, and because of the flexibility of working full- or part-time, it’s a great career opportunity for many. To join this free training you must be able to work in the U.S. and attend all training days. Students completing this training will learn the basics of being a PCA, have career readiness coaching and be certified in CPR with AED and First Aid.
This information session will be offered at GCC’s convenient downtown center location, 270 Main St., on Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 6 to 7 p.m. Individuals are asked to reserve a seat for the information session by calling 413-775-1672
Cardiac risk screening
A cardiac risk cholesterol screening will happen on Wednesday, Oct. 12, from 8:30 to 9:30 am in Conference Room A at Baystate Franklin on High Street.
Participants must fast for 12 hours before being screened. Test results will be forwarded to participants and their primary care providers. The cost for the screening is $10; registration is required.
To register, please call Baystate Health Link at 413-773-2454 or 800-377-4325.
Oncology Writing
Workshop
The hospital’s oncology department offers a free fall writing workshop for those touched by cancer
“Spirit of the Written Word” is a 10-week workshop on Thursdays, Sept. 29 to Dec. 8., from 6 to 8 p.m., at Artspace, 15 Mill St., Greenfield.
No writing experience is required, and all sharing is voluntary and confidential.
Facilitating the workshop is Pam Roberts, a writer, artist and certified yoga instructor who is a breast cancer survivor of over 20 years. She has been leading writing workshops for people affected by cancer and loss for over 11years. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Roberts found writing to be an important part of her healing process.
To register or for more information, contact Roberts at 413-625-2402 or pamro@aol.com.
Chronic disease
management workshops
If you are living with chronic health conditions, the Healthy Living Program at LifePath can help. Starting on Wednesday, the program will offer a workshop series, “My Life, My Health,” at the Greenfield Health Center at 329 Conway St. in Greenfield. Workshops will happen on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for six weeks. Participants are encouraged to attend all six workshops in the series.
People with any type of ongoing health issue such as diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, heart disease or COPD will have the opportunity to gain the skills and the confidence needed to manage their chronic health condition. Participants will create weekly action plans to help participants achieve their health goals. Caregivers and family members are welcome to attend. Workshops are free and open to the public.
To register for the workshop series, or learn more, contact Marcus Chiaretto at 413-773-5555, ext. 2304, or mchiaretto@lifepathma.org.