Challenges of Aging for the LGBTQ Community Discrimination of LGBTQ older adults and caregivers in the health care system has only recently begun to receive attention. Many health care practitioners are challenged to respond to the specialized needs and services for this community. This webinar will discuss the unique needs of the LGBTQ aging population and identify ways caregivers and professionals can better help this community. Read more
Let’s Talk: A Q&A Discussion about Mental Health with Benjamin Rose What is mental health? Behavioral health? What should you do if you’re worried about a friend or a loved one? How is COVID-19 impacting your loved one’s mental health? May is Mental Health Month and Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging wants to help you answer all of your mental health questions. In this webinar, mental health experts from Benjamin Rose’s Behavioral Health team discuss and respond to listeners questions about mental health in real time and share valuable tips and information to help you navigate mental and behavioral health services and supports. 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
Discussing Uncomfortable Aging Topics with a Doctor Talking about health isn’t always an easy thing. Society tends to put emphasis on what is and isn’t “polite conversation,” and almost every etiquette guide advises against discussing bodily functions, uncomfortable symptoms or anything that would make a listener squeamish. It’s rude. It’s embarrassing. It’s better kept to yourself. Unfortunately, these stigmas can creep into situations where topics that would otherwise be kept quiet need to be discussed, especially at the doctor’s office. Read more
Aging Challenges for Older Adults in the LGBT+ Community Individuals in the LGBT+ community have a long history of facing discrimination in the United States, and the effects of prejudice, hostility and mental, emotional and physical harm are felt by all generations of the community, from youths to older adults. Many LGBT+ older adults age into systems that may not fully accept and support them, and may directly or indirectly stand in the way of them getting the physical and mental health assistance they need. Read more
Can a Person with Dementia Live Alone? Recognizing the Need for Support If you are a family member or caregiver of a person with dementia, it can be difficult to decide whether a person who is living alone is actually in need of help. This webinar will discuss questions that caregivers can ask to help assess the situation and help them gauge when and where support is needed. Read more
Dementia: NOT a Normal Part of Aging This webinar addresses the common misconception that dementia is a normal part of aging, a key message of the Dementia Friends USA program. Breaking down misconceptions and stigma around dementia is one of the first steps to building dementia-inclusive communities. Topics presented include definition and types of dementia; how it impacts the brain; comparison of common changes seen in aging vs. early signs of dementia; how dementia is diagnosed, including conditions to rule out; and important next steps after diagnosis. Read more
3 Common Causes of Caregiver Guilt, and How to Manage Them The concept of “caregiver guilt” is an odd one. Providing care for a loved one with a long-term health condition is a wonderful, selfless act, and caregivers undoubtedly devote considerable time and energy to provide the physical, mental and emotional support their loved one requires. And yet, the majority of caregivers report that they frequently experience feelings of guilt. Read more
Self-Identifying as a Caregiver: How the Truth May Actually Set You Free! Are you a caregiver to a loved one? It’s surprising how many of us are quick to answer “no” to that question. Sure, we help a loved one out a few times a week, take them to appointments and do their shopping. But for some reason, the majority of people acting in a caregiver role are hesitant to consider themselves “caregivers.” In fact, according to an AARP Caregiver Identification study, only about 19 percent of caregivers in the country are willing to identify themselves as such. Read more
Tips for Better Communication with a Loved One with Dementia As caregivers, we may find ourselves struggling to communicate with a loved one in the way we used to. It may be difficult to understand what a loved one is trying to say, and in the busyness of everyday life, we may find ourselves growing frustrated and impatient. However, these kinds of feelings may in turn affect a loved one, leading to a communication breakdown and potential relationship strain. To avoid this, it’s important to foster good listening skills, patience and respect. Read more
