Articles

The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan (AAAWM) is excited to announce the opening of its new Caregiver Training Center, located at 3215 Eaglecrest Drive, Grand Rapids, MI. This dedicated space is designed to equip West Michigan caregivers with essential knowledge, tools, and support. Serving as a resource hub, the center will offer a variety of classes and workshops tailored to address the distinct challenges faced by both family and professional caregivers in our community.

Caregivers play a vital role in supporting loved ones, often managing complex care needs while balancing their own responsibilities. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, in Michigan alone, over 1.4 million individuals provide unpaid care to older adults or people with disabilities. Simultaneously, there is an ever-growing shortage of direct care workers—an estimated 36,000 in Michigan alone. Caregivers often encounter significant obstacles, including stress, burnout, financial strain, and limited access to education and support.

“Caregivers are the foundation of our long-term care system, yet they frequently encounter overwhelming challenges,” said Cassie Caple, Vice President of Contract Services and Program Development. “At AAAWM, we’re committed to addressing their needs by offering accessible resources, practical guidance, and opportunities to build community and confidence. The Caregiver Training Center is an extension to our existing caregiver programming, and we’re excited to see it grow and make a lasting impact for caregivers.”

To launch the training center’s programming, AAAWM has partnered with Michigan State University’s IMPART Alliance, a leader in direct care workforce education. This partnership brings evidence-based classes to the center, focusing on skill-building and hands-on strategies. With plans to expand offerings in the future, the space aims to become a cornerstone for the caregiving community.

“AAAWM shares our vision of a more robust infrastructure of care for older adults and people with disabilities, and we are so lucky to be able to use the newly renovated space for our educational programming. This partnership helps us with our goal of supporting direct care workers in West Michigan with, not just the physical space for education, but by connecting us with their deep network of established partners in the field,” shared Bethany Duyser DNP, RN, Assistant Director, IMPART Alliance.

Renovations of this training space were made possible through the Caregiver Resource Grant from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). This grant is designed to enhance caregiver support throughout the region. Caregivers can explore upcoming classes at www.aaawm.org/caregivers.