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

That means 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 are available for the six-week workshop, which begins Wednesday and meets every Wednesday through Oct. 2 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, 1120 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.

The program is designed to allow participants to reduce stress, improve health, manage difficult behaviors, plan for the future and locate resources and information.

To pre-register, call 704-216-7714.

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

Respite care will be provided by Trinity Living Center at 1416 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. Call 704-637-3940 for a reservation.