It can be easy for family caregiving duties to become all that a caregiver has time for, making caregiving feel all-consuming. Little by little, caregivers may feel their own identity slipping away. This month Jacquelyn Revere, who cares for her mother living with Alzheimer’s disease, will talk with Dr. Lakelyn Hogan, Home Instead’s Gerontologist and Caregiver Advocate, about these struggles. The two will candidly discuss how the caregiving journey can shape a family caregiver’s “new normal” and why it’s so important to not lose your own identity and passions along the way.
There is a growing number of cases of Parkinson’s Disease (PD). With the progression of PD, care and support is typically needed at home. It’s critical for care partners to understand symptoms and how care needs will evolve to best support their loved one. Join Dr. Lakelyn Hogan, Home Instead’s Gerontologist and Caregiver Advocate, as she talks with Gail Gitin, an Ambassador for the Davis Phinney Foundation, to learn more about:
Parkinson’s disease and related symptoms
Common challenges of living with PD
How to live well and remain independent with PD
Caregiving tips, resources, and support services
The Davis Phinney Foundation was founded by Olympic cyclist Davis Phinney in 2004 to help people with Parkinson’s live well today. The organization’s focus is to provide programs, early-stage research, and resources that offer inspiration, information and tools that enable people living with Parkinson’s to take action that can immediately improve their quality of life.
Live chat with expert: Ian Kremer and Bonnie Wattles
The subject of home care or respite care can elicit a lot of questions: How does it work? What does it cost? What are the benefits? Layer on an Alzheimer’s disease or dementia diagnosis and the questions can feel more challenging. Are caregivers properly trained to care for someone living with dementia? Can a caregiver provide the level of care that I can? Does a chronic condition make care more costly?
These are heavy questions and many family caregivers may feel overwhelmed trying to get all the answers. Join Dr. Lakelyn Hogan, Home Instead gerontologist and aging advocate for a panel discussion to help caregivers better understand the ins and outs of dementia home care.
Dr. Hogan will be joined by two dedicated Alzheimer’s advocates: Ian Kremer, Executive Director of LEAD Coalition and Bonnie Wattles, Executive Director of HFC. Join to learn more about:
The benefits that home care and respite can provide the individual and family
Important considerations in hiring a home care company
Grants and other resources that can help cover the costs of care and support the caregiver
Have you misplaced your keys? Forgot a neighbor’s name? Lost as to why you walked into the kitchen? It can be hard to know if what you’re experiencing is normal or cause for concern. If you’re worried about brain health – for yourself or your loved one – you’re not alone. Brain health is just as important as the health of the rest of our body, especially because the brain is the command center that keeps our bodies functioning. Join Dr. Lakelyn Hogan as she talks with Brooks Kenny, General Manager of BrainGuideTM and Executive Director of WomenAgainstAlzheimer’s, for a discussion on the importance of brain health. Topics covered:
How you can keep your brain healthy
What you should do if you notice changes in your memory
How you can help an older loved one with changes in their memory
How BrainGuideTM can be a resource for family caregivers
Caregivers are often so focused on the daily tasks of caregiving that they rarely have time to reflect on their role as a caregiver and how it changes over time. For many, caregiving is a multi-year journey and one that can start to feel overwhelming. Regular reflection can help caregivers change their mindset and transform their caregiving experience. Join Dr. Lakelyn Hogan as she talks with author and caregiving consultant Dr. Aaron Blight to learn:
How to check assumptions about caregiving.
Ways to identify opportunities to improve the situation.
Methods of reflection that can help individuals learn about themselves and improve their caregiving experience.
Religion and spirituality play a significant role in the lives of many. People living with dementia may lose the ability to initiate beloved spiritual activities. As care partners, we must ask how we can keep our loved ones connected to past traditions and rituals, whether it be a favorite prayer, hymn or strolling through nature. Join Dr. Lakelyn Hogan, Gerontologist and Caregiver Advocate for Home Instead® and dementia care expert, David Troxel, for a conversation about spiritual connection for loved ones and care partners.
Caregivers can learn:
The importance of religion and spirituality and the difference between them.
How to help maintain important rituals.
Tips for activities that support spirituality and religion.
Caregivers often play a vital role in managing their loved one’s medications. However, ensuring that all meds are taken properly and at the right time can be overwhelming. As the number of prescription medications a person takes increases, challenges with medication management and potential health risks also rise. Developing a medication management system or routine that works for the caregiver and the care recipient is critical. Dr. Lakelyn Hogan, Gerontologist and Caregiver Advocate for Home Instead® will talk with Pharmacist Kyle Decker of Simple Meds® and share tips for improving medication management.
Caregivers can learn:
Potential risks of medication mismanagement
How strengthening the role of family members can reduce the potential for medication risks
Tips and resources to feel confident when managing medication
Alzheimer’s Caregiving During Covid-19: A Year in Review
Live chat with expert: Stephanie J. Monroe and Ginny Biggar
We have officially crossed the one-year mark since the COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. While the pandemic has significantly impacted us all, those living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers have experienced devastating effects. New survey results released by UsAgainstAlzheimer’s (UsA2) A-LIST® revealed that 72% of caregivers observed a decline in their loved ones’ memory or behaviors since the start of the pandemic. 84% of caregivers also reported having one or more stress symptoms and 81% reported feeling more isolated.
Join Home Instead gerontologist and caregiver advocate Dr. Lakelyn Hogan as she talks with Ginny Biggar and Stephanie Monroe from UsA2 as they review how the pandemic has impacted dementia family caregivers and lessons learned for the future. We’ll review:
Results of theUsA2 A-LIST® survey on the impact the pandemic had on individuals living with dementia and their caregivers.
Challenges specific to dementia family caregivers during the pandemic.
Tips for family caregivers as they continue to navigate COVID-19.
Ways the pandemic will impact the future of dementia caregiving.
It is hard to believe the COVID-19 pandemic has been impacting the world for well over a year. Many family caregivers’ lives were turned upside down and many individuals found themselves in a caregiving role for the first time. While we have all experienced challenges, we’ve also learned resiliency, new skills and the importance of connection.
Join Home Instead gerontologist and caregiver advocate Dr. Lakelyn Hogan as she talks with caregiving expert C. Grace Whiting from the National Alliance for Caregiving as they review how the pandemic has impacted caregivers and lessons learned for the future of caregiving. Join to learn:
The impact of the pandemic on family caregiving and older adults
Silver linings that have emerged for aging adults and caregivers
Tips for family caregivers as they continue to navigate COVID-19
Ways the pandemic will impact caregiving going forward
Caregiving can have highs and lows, which is often described as a roller coaster of emotions. For those in the caregiving role, it can be easy to get weighed down with the day-to-day challenges. Layering on a global pandemic has added stress and new challenges to the full plate of family caregivers. However, it is possible to find joy even during the difficulties of caregiving. Join Home Instead gerontologist and caregiver advocate Dr. Lakelyn Hogan as she talks with family caregiving expert Loretta Veney about finding and embracing the joy in caregiving.
Topics covered in this live chat include:
Suggestions on how to recognize and embrace moments of joy.
