Maximizing the Environment for Individuals with Dementia
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Articles
Access to Resources in Ohio for Individuals Living With Dementia and Their Caregivers
Since 2022, Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging has partnered with Ohio State University, the Ohio Department of Aging, and several other aging organizations throughout the state to develop critical resources for individuals living with dementia and their family and friend caregivers. This partnership has led to the creation of Ohio’s first Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias Statewide Resource Program, offering both virtual and in-person access to training, resources, and research on dementia and dementia care.
Videos
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.
Videos
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.
Videos
Making the Most of Mealtime: Eating, Swallowing & Dignified Dining for Individuals with Dementia & IDD
Eating and food are at the center of many of life’s occasions, celebrations and moments together with loved ones. Of course, eating is also a necessity—we rely on nutrition and hydration to survive. But what happens to these important and essential moments when dementia affects a loved one’s eating? In what ways can a loved one’s ability to interact with food begin to change? This webinar explains some of the changes that may make mealtime challenging when caring for someone with dementia, and provides tips on how to set up the eating environment for successful mealtimes. It also focuses on swallowing disorders for individuals with dementia and intellectual and developmental disabilities, and how to balance safety concerns while ensuring a dignified dining experience.
Articles
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.
Videos
The Financial Fatigue of Caregiving: When Caring for a Loved One with Dementia
This informative webinar is for family and friend caregivers or supporters of persons with dementia. This webinar discusses the effects caregiving has on your finances, and how to effectively manage your finances while balancing multiple responsibilities. We cover how to have difficult conversations about taking on the financial role of caring for a loved one, estate planning and how to make sure your loved ones are protected against financial exploitation.
Articles
Managing Finances for a Loved One with Dementia
Handling a loved one’s finances can be a difficult task, particularly when they have been diagnosed with dementia. In fact, the inability to handle finances is often one of the first signs that a loved one has the disease. They might pay bills more than once, forget to pay bills entirely, give money away unexpectedly or have trouble balancing their checkbook. Dementia can also leave a loved one open to financial risk and abuse, which can make it even more important for us to familiarize ourselves with how best to protect them from these threats.
Articles
Recognizing the Symptoms of Dementia with IDD
Diagnosing dementia is rarely straightforward, but can be even more challenging for those in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) community. Many of the most common symptoms of dementia such as language challenges and difficulty with coordination are often things people with IDD already struggle with. This can make it all the more difficult to separate symptoms of dementia from their pre-existing symptoms.
