End-of-Life Decisions for Individuals with IDD and Dementia This webinar, led by the Hospice of the Western Reserve, assists caregivers in identifying the value of and barriers to recognizing end-of-life in older adults and individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and dementia. It also emphasizes the importance of Advanced Care Planning for caregivers, and provides tips for healthcare professionals to aid in end-of-life discussions. Read more
8 Things to Know About High Blood Pressure and Dementia According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 116 million, or just about half of all Americans, live with high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. Untreated hypertension is very dangerous, as it puts people at risk for heart disease, stroke, and chronic health issues. Read more
4 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Mealtime with Dementia Over time, people develop unique relationships with food – determining what they like and do not like. It is commonplace to have a favorite meal, type of food, place to eat, etc. Individuals living with dementia, however, commonly experience changes from their normal food habits. Depending on the person and what stage of dementia they are in, a loved one may show changes in things like appetite, eating habits, food preferences or swallowing ability. Read more
16th Annual Katz Policy Lecture: Diversity in Aging This year, the 16th annual Katz Policy Lecture examines diversity in aging. Our keynote speaker, Lauren Pongan, national director for the Diverse Elders Coalition, discusses new directions in national and state policies related to older adults and their family and friend caregivers from diverse and marginalized communities. Following our keynote speaker, a reactor panel of industry experts gives their responses to the presentation and discusses their impressions of the impacts of these policies to individuals and the communities they are a part of. Read more
Family Caregivers are Stressed, Tired—and in Your Workforce Programs that provide support for employees serving as family caregivers are emerging as a critical employee benefit option, particularly as providers focus on addressing the full scope of emotional and mental health considerations. Read more
After a Hospital Discharge, Food is a Valuable Medicine When a loved one is discharged from a hospital stay, their doctor will likely give them medicine to help improve their condition so they can stay well enough to avoid having to return to the hospital in the future. As caregivers, we may have the responsibility of making sure a loved one is keeping up on their medication post-discharge. However, are we remembering to pay just as much attention to another source of medication necessary to their healing process: the food they eat? Read more
Fighting Caregiver Burnout with Resiliency Have you ever wondered why some people can seemingly cope with any life stressor while others seem to falter in the face of any adversity? Do you admire people who handle the ups and downs of the caregiving journey with apparent ease and grace and do not allow moments of failure to consume them? These individuals most likely have developed resiliency. The good news is that anyone can cultivate resiliency, too. Read more
From Caregiving to Widowhood: Balancing Grief and Wellness One of the biggest challenges of being a caregiver is coping with the fear of losing a loved one. When that loss becomes a reality, the effects can be devastating. Those who provide care for their spouses can have a particularly difficult time coping with grief, as they are losing their life partner, someone of central importance to their heart and happiness. Read more
How to Handle Dementia-Related Sleep Disturbance Though dementia is most commonly associated with memory loss, it can touch many different aspects of a loved one’s life. One of the most challenging for caregivers is when a loved one experiences sleep disturbance—such as excessive napping during the day; insomnia; nighttime terrors and anxiety; and difficulty staying asleep without constantly waking up. Read more
What Does Wellness Look Like for Dementia Caregivers? Anyone providing care for a loved one with dementia knows how stressful it can be. Not only can the tasks involved be challenging and exhausting, but there is a very emotional level as well. But even with all the challenges , caregivers often neglect self-care, infrequently check in on their own health and either don’t know about or don’t use opportunities for respite. Read more
