White Plains, NY - A training session for volunteers who want to participate in the CareCircle initiative of Westchester County’s Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS) will take place on Jan. 25 at Atria Senior Living, 1200 King St., Rye Brook.

A CareCircle is a group of people who volunteer to share caregiving tasks of daily living for an older person in the community that cannot be met with public funds. Those tasks may include meal preparation, pet care, laundry, general errands or simply companionship. The idea is to create the physical and emotional support families traditionally provide that seniors are able to continue to live in their homes.

The program will be under way from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and refreshments will be served.

Participants will receive a copy of the new “Livable Communities CareCircle Guide: Step Forward and Give Back,” a how-to manual that explains the way to start, maintain and coordinate a CareCircle. It also includes general information for caregivers, a listing of community resources and a glossary.  DSPS sponsors the CareCircle initiative with the Westchester Public/Private Partnership on Aging Services.

The training session will be led by Ellen Wright, a licensed master social worker;  Robbin Sweeney, an attorney and Better Living Life Coach; and Colette Phipps, DSPS’ staff liaison to the Caregiver Coalition, which developed the guide.

The need for caregivers is at a crisis level today because fewer and fewer family members are available to help Westchester’s growing senior population. Today, 20 percent of all county residents –  one in five people – are 60 or older. People live longer today. Siblings pass away and children move away.  As a result, seniors must turn to their friends, neighbors and other seniors for help.

Registration is required to take part in the training session.  To sign up, contact (914) 813-6263 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .