Beginning in April, St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital will offer a series of monthly classes to caregivers focusing on a variety of issues including paying for care, handling stress and finding community resources. The series, which is free and open to the public, is being held in partnership with Jewish Family Services of Orange County, and will run until September.

SLCH Community Relations Specialist Lucia Lee said, “We understand that caregivers also experience stress, anxiety and depression while caring for others. In our hospital’s commitment to care for the well-being of all members of our community, we are offering these classes to give caregivers the tools they need to optimize quality of life for patients and their families, as well as themselves.”

Kicking-off the series on April 23 is certified laughter leader, Bette Lee Merci, who will demonstrate how laughter can be used to connect with adults living with dementia in her lecture, Engaging Adults with Dementia through the Funny Bone. The lecture will begin at 7:00 p.m. at Johnes Home, 11 Balmville Road, Newburgh, and will reveal techniques that may be used by caregivers, professionals and paraprofessionals.