I Can’t Be the Caregiver Anymore: How to Transition from Your Role Becoming a caregiver to an older loved one is a big commitment, and like other commitments in life—wedding vows between spouses, the responsibilities of parenting—it can often feel binding. Many of those who become caregivers do so with the intentions of staying in this role until their loved one passes away. However, this is not always possible or realistic. Read more
Understanding and Managing Dementia-Related Behavior Changes A loved one with dementia will experience many changes as the disease progresses. Though dementia is most commonly associated with memory loss, the changes dementia causes to the brain impact more than just memory—personality and behavior can be affected as well. We may feel that a loved one with dementia isn’t “acting like themselves” or that their actions might be “uncharacteristic.” Sometimes this can manifest in small ways, like being less alert than usual, or being more talkative around strangers. Other times, they may say or do something much more difficult to handle, like having an outburst of anger in public or making a sexually inappropriate comment. Read more
The Caregiver’s Guide to Estate Planning When was the last time you and your loved one had a discussion about estate planning? If you’re like many people, it’s probably been a while. This webinar will discuss what important financial and medical documents are necessary in case of an emergency, and what to do in those situations. Having these items prepared and organized will not only protect your loved one, but as a caregiver it will give you peace of mind to know that everything is taken care of in advance. Read more
Behavioral Interventions When Caring for Someone with Dementia This webinar incorporates the most current research about dementia care, effective practical strategies, and useful resources in identifying causes of common behavioral symptoms and effective interventions. This program, initiated as part of a grant awarded to the greater Toledo area by the U.S. Department of Human Services, Administration for Community Living (ACL), Alzheimer’s and Dementia Program Initiative incorporates curriculum from the state of Minnesota, Act on Alzheimer’s, and we are now excited to present this as a part of the new ACL project to expand dementia capable communities in Cuyahoga, Washington, and Athens counties. Read more
Becoming a Caregiver: My Role Has Changed, Now Who Am I? We all have roles in life that we are used to and comfortable with. Some roles that come to mind easily are mother, father, sister, brother, wife, husband, partner, friend, aunt, uncle and grandparent. These are very common roles that are socially accepted, defined and supported. We know how to be a parent, sibling, friend etc., because people teach us by serving as an example. What happens when these roles start to change, however? These scenarios happen every day, and the shift that it can create in a relationship paradigm can have a ripple effect of feelings, emotions and struggles. Read more
Helping an Older Loved One Living Alone with Dementia Many assume that older adults who live alone inevitably transition into assisted living when diagnosed with dementia, but this is not the case. Around one third of people with dementia live on their own, in their own homes. While it does not pose as many concerns in the early-stages of dementia, this arrangement may become increasingly risky in the middle- and late-stages. As a caregiver, you may feel pressure to move in with your loved one or vice versa, or else find them an assisted living arrangement, even if your loved one does not want to leave their home. Read more
Caring for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Dementia This webinar will overview common signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, available cognitive assessments, medical and community-based resources, and provide information about a free evidence-based care-coaching program, BRI Care Consultation™, for family and friend caregivers or supporters. Read more
Has Work Become Your Respite? The Reality of Working Caregivers In 2019, approximately 73 percent of employees are responsible for some type of caregiving, and one in six workers are caregivers for an older adult. This role is fulfilled not just by middle-aged Americans: 6.2 million millennials make up 24 percent of unpaid caregivers, and one study shows that 14 percent of them have left the paid workforce completely, unable to balance work and caregiving responsibilities. Read more
My Mother’s Caregiver: Treading Water Writer and photographer Mark A. Lee joins us yet again for a guest blog, highlighting challenges caregiving for his mother during the COVID-19 pandemic and excerpting his upcoming book on his past experiences caregiving for his father, "Raising Dad" Read more
The Digital Divide: What Families Should Know The changes brought by the COVID-19 pandemic to how we work, socialize, take care of our health and go about our daily lives have deepened the Digital Divide, the gap between those who can use and have access to technology and those who don’t. For older adults with increased healthcare and caregiving needs, as well as higher risks for social isolation, this divide can be especially daunting. In this webinar, we will look into what the Digital Divide is and what caregiving, healthcare, isolation prevention and homecare resources exist to help older adults and their caregivers navigate it together. Read more
