Providing care to a family member with complex health conditions such as congestive heart failure, complications from stroke, frailty or other, has both gratifying moments and inevitable challenges. The Confident Caregiver course can prepare any health and human service provider to work directly with caregivers, helping them improve their abilities, feel confident managing challenges, and take care of themselves.
Learn more about the co-creators of The Confident Caregiver
Laura Gitlin, PhD, FGSA, FAAN
Course Creator
Laura N. Gitlin, PhD, FGSA, FAAN, an applied research sociologist, is the Dean Emerita and Distinguished University Professor of the College of Nursing and Health Professions at Drexel University. Gitlin is nationally and internationally recognized for her research on developing, evaluating, and implementing novel home- and community-based interventions that improve quality of life of older adults and their family caregivers, enhance daily function of older adults with functional challenges, and address mental health disparities. She is a well-funded researcher, having received continuous research and training grants from federal agencies and private foundations for over 35 years.
Catherine Piersol, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, FNAP
Course Creator
Dr. Cathy Piersol is Professor and Chair in the Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Sciences at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Piersol has been an occupational therapist for 40 years. As a practitioner, educator, and researcher, she is dedicated to the implementation of person-environment approaches that promote activity engagement and quality of life for elders and caregivers. Her work centers on optimizing performance and participation in people living with dementia and building skills in those who provide care and support. In addition, Dr. Piersol’s work focuses on translating research to practice and ensuring fidelity of evidence-based interventions.