Upcoming Live Chats

Caring for someone with Frontotemporal Degeneration

Live chat with expert: Matthew Sharp and Deena Chisholm

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Live Chat with expert: Matthew Sharp & Deena Chisholm 

Frontotemporal degeneration is the most common dementia for those under age 60, yet it’s widely misunderstood and too often misdiagnosed. Join experts Matthew Sharp and Deena Chisholm from the Association of Frontotemporal Degeneration and gerontologist and caregiver advocate Lakelyn Hogan for an overview of Frontotemporal Degeneration. Participants will learn: 

  •  How frontotemporal degeneration differs from Alzheimer’s and other dementias
  • Signs, symptoms and behaviors
  • What the diagnosis journey looks like 
  • How caregivers can support a loved one 
  • Resources available for families  
  • Recent research and clinical trials 

 We will take live questions during the chat, or feel free to send them in ahead of time to [email protected].  

About the expert

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Matthew Sharp and Deena Chisholm
Matthew Sharp is the program manager for the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration and plays a key role in patient and caregiver support and education. He created AFTD’s Grassroots Network, made up of local volunteers who raise funds to ensure help and support for families, as well as research. Deena Chisholm serves as AFTD’s education program manager working primarily with healthcare professionals promoting AFTD’s mission and providing education. In her career, Deena has worked to develop and implement several new initiatives and research focused on dementia care.

Chat Archive

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After receiving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, it can be challenging for some individuals to move away from denial to living a life filled with hope. Learning how to process the emotions and challenges that accompany dementia can help those living with the disease, caregivers, and family members navigate the disease more positively.

Join gerontologist and caregiver advocate Lakelyn Hogan and advocate, artist and author Cynthia Huling Hummel as Cynthia shares her personal experience of what it’s like to live with Alzheimer’s. She will share how she expresses her emotions and struggles through art and her book, “UnMasking Alzheimer’s.”

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How to Be Present with Dementia

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Individuals with dementia demonstrate presence every day, and they ask us to enter their world and connect with them. For caregivers, being present by providing undivided attention, to a spouse or partner, children, friends, coworkers can be challenging especially while caring for a loved one with dementia. But, true presence provides life’s greatest reward: a sense of love and belonging.

Join gerontologist and caregiver advocate Lakelyn Hogan and Miekka Zanders, care provider and author of Being with Dementia, for stories that illustrate the power of presence when caring for individuals with dementia and suggestions, tips and insights to incorporate more presence into daily activities. To learn more about the book, check visit: www.beingwithdementia.com.

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Diminishing Stress During the Holidays

Live chat with expert: Lakelyn Hogan and Molly Carpenter

Family traditions, hosting get-togethers, cooking large meals, shopping for gifts and out of town guests accompany the holiday season. Add that to the top of a family caregiver’s daily routine and this time of year can bring on additional stress for family caregivers and those living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Join Home Instead Senior Care’s gerontologists, Lakelyn Hogan and Molly Carpenter for a tip-filled conversation about caring for your loved one (and yourself) throughout the holiday season.

Get tips on:

  • How to manage caregiving during the holidays and ask for help
  • Set expectations with loved ones and visitors
  • How to bring your loved one with Alzheimer’s into the celebrations
  • How to care for yourself during a busy season
  • Gift ideas for loved ones with Alzheimer’s

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Family Dynamics in Caregiving: How to Improve Communication & Make Decisions Together

Live chat with expert: Terry Frangiosa

There are nearly 16 million adult family caregivers caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Often multiple family members are involved to help with care, make decisions and fund care-related expenses. But sharing the responsibilities amongst the family isn’t always easy or equal. Siblings can squabble over unpaid bills, heirlooms, who’s providing care, hiring care and the list can go on.  

Join Terry Frangiosa, a former family caregiver for her mom with Alzheimer’s and passionate Alzheimer’s advocate at UsAgainstAlzheimer’s for a unique perspective on hiring in-home care for a loved one living with Alzheimer’s and navigating the ups and downs of siblings working together (or not) to care for an aging loved one. Get tips on how to more successfully navigate the variety of family dynamics involved in caregiving and how to improve communication and decision-making abilities.

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Alzheimer’s & Home Care – How it Works

Live chat with expert: Linda Lundeen

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Join Linda Lundeen, 2019 West Region CAREGiver of the Year, to learn more about when and how to introduce home care into your loved one’s caregiving plan. Linda will share what families can expect from a professionally trained Alzheimer’s caregiver, tips for a smooth transition, and various funding options to pay for home care.

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 Whether you’ve never heard of the disease or you’re actively providing care, we hope to provide you with tools to improve dementia awareness and empower you to be more cognizant of how we all can help someone with dementia or a caregiver. We’ll also discuss common dementia misconceptions and share Alzheimer’s friendly business practices. 

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Boundaries in Caregiving: Preventing & Avoiding the Martyr Syndrome

Live chat with expert: Jennifer Fitzpatrick

Caregivers are amazing individuals, selflessly devoting their time, energy and financial resources to make life better for a loved one living with dementia. Despite good intentions, many caregivers unintentionally take on too much, putting their own health and well-being at risk. When caregivers develop “the martyr syndrome” and are reluctant to look for or accept help, the consequences can be devastating. Join expert Jennifer Fitzpatrick, author of “Cruising Through Caregiving: Reducing the Stress of Caring for Your Love One” and host Lakelyn Hogan us for an interactive discussion to learn how to set caregiving limits while still providing excellent care for a loved one.

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Updates from Leaders in Alzheimer’s Research & Caregiving

Live chat with expert: Lakelyn Hogan

Until there is a cure, there is care, education and advocacy to help those living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers live the best quality life. Join Lakeyln Hogan, caregiver advocate and gerontologist for Home Instead Senior Care, to learn what’s new from leading Alzheimer’s researchers, doctors and advocates. Hear the latest in dementia and caregiving research and advocacy efforts to continually improve quality of care and respite for caregivers. These highlights are coming from the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference that just wrapped up, July 18, 2019.

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Making the Longest Days of Caregiving Seem Shorter

Live chat with expert: Lori La Bey

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Transitioning to a Specialized Memory Care Center

Live chat with expert: Beau Rusk

Live Chat with expert: Beau Rusk

Join Beau Rusk, Memory Care Director for Aksarben Village and Dial Retirement Communities’ West Regional Dementia Care Trainer to learn how to successfully transition a loved one into a specialized memory care center. Beau will share what to do once your loved one, caregivers and physician agree it’s time to move to a specialized care center, what to expect during the actual transition process and how family caregivers can adapt to their changing role. You’ll also learn how caregivers can contribute to a loved one’s success in a memory care center and the role home care may play in a successful transition.

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