According to the National Family Caregivers Association, there are 90 million family caregivers in the United States.

Family caregivers are the backbone of the nation’s long-term care system, providing $450 billion worth of unpaid care each year. That’s more than total Medicaid funding and twice as much as home care and nursing home services combined.

Area caregivers are invited to a free caregiver workshop, “Building Better Caregivers,” hosted by Rufty-Holmes Senior Center and Trinity Oaks.

A limited number of spaces is available for the six-week workshop. It will meet from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays from Aug. 28 through Oct. 2 at Rufty-Holmes, 1120 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.

This program allows participants to reduce stress, improve health, manage difficult behaviors, plan for the future, and locate resources and information. To preregister for the workshop, call 704-216-7714. The deadline is Aug. 21.

The workshop is offered free by Centralina Area Agency on Aging, Rufty-Holmes Senior Center and Trinity Oaks.

Respite care will be provided by Trinity Living Center, 1416 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. Reserve a space by Aug. 21 by calling Trinity Living Center at 704-637-3940.