MSU's Montana Caregiver Respite Retreat program returns to Anaconda

The Montana Caregiver Respite Retreat Program will return to Anaconda Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. Last year, the program served 20 caregivers and provided 120 hours of respite to ADLC constituents. 

This year, the program will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Forge Hotel. It is free to attend and participants will receive a complimentary lunch and a $100 gift card. 

Since launching in 2022, a total of 18 retreats have delivered over 1,500 hours of respite across the state. This includes five events that took place in Anaconda-Deer Lodge, Granite and Powell Counties last fall. The program is designed to provide an opportunity for caregivers to relax and prioritize their own mental and physical well-being. 

A previous participant stated the event “was a well-needed break that taught me to recharge my own batteries and reinforced how important selfcare is so I can provide care to my loved ones.” 

“With the stress of a more-than-full-time job and being a full-time caregiver, there’s virtually no time for even a moment’s rest,” said Anaconda Leader Editor James S. Rosien, who attended the first retreat in Anaconda last fall. “So being able to set aside even a modicum of time out of a single day for that general purpose was helpful, and [the retreat] made me see it was possible to do so.”

Anyone that feels they are in need of respite may attend. This includes paid and unpaid caregivers, those whose caregiving responsibilities recently ended, parents, and medical professionals. If you are unsure if you qualify, please contact your local MSU Extension Office. While there is no cap on the number of participants, those interested in attending must register by Nov. 24. 

In addition to Anaconda, the program will be in Deer Lodge on Nov. 29 and Philipsburg Nov. 30.

To register for the event in Anaconda, contact the ADLC Extension Office at 406-563-4035 or kayleen.kidwell@montana.edu. 

To register for the event in Deer Lodge contact the Powell County Extension Office at 406-846-9791 or powell@montana.edu.

To register for the event in Philipsburg contact the Granite County Extension Office at 406-859-3304 or ben.hauptman@montana.edu.