Using Play Activities to Build Caregiving Connections

Live chat with expert: Loretta Woodward Veney

We are never too young or old to play! Incorporating play activities into caregiving can be enjoyable for all involved. And for those with cognitive impairment and dementia, these activities can also be a great way to build connections. Join this #CaregiverChat as Dr. Lakelyn Eichenberger, gerontologist and caregiving advocate for Home Instead, chats with Loretta Veney about best practices for including activities that will engage and delight. Loretta shows a variety of activities that are easy to purchase or make that won’t break the budget.

Participants in the chat will learn:

  • How play can help build connections
  • Ways to incorporate play into caregiving
  • Low cost options for activities

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Pro Tips for Returning Home from a Hospitalization

Live chat with expert: Cindy and Christina Harden-Weiss

As your loved one transitions from a medical facility back into their own home, there’s often many important questions you as a family caregiver must prepare for.  Is his or her home safe? Do they have the proper medical equipment needed for the transition? Will they need a care professional? And if so, is your loved one prepared to have them in the home? Join this #CaregiverCat as Dr. lakelyn hogan Eichenberger, gerontologist and caregiving advocate for Home Instead, chats with Adaptive Equipment & Caregiving Corner founders Cindy and Christina Hardin-Weiss about the ins and outs of the transition, as well as valuable tips to make you a smarter, less-stressed caregiver.  

Participants in the chat will learn: 

  • Three items in the home that are essential to evaluate when returning home 
  • Quick caregiving hacks that will save you time, money and stress  
  • Durable medical equipment and places to find it that many people don’t know about  
  • Preparing your loved one for having professionals in the home 

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Dementia + Personal Care: Turning ‘no’ into ‘yes

Live chat with expert: David Troxel

A point of frustration for many caregivers is hearing “no” from their loved one living with dementia. This commonly happens as they attempt to assist with personal care activities like bathing and grooming. However, there are tips and techniques caregivers can use to turn the “no” into “yes.” Join this #CaregiverChat as Dr. Lakelyn Hogan Eichenberger, gerontologist and caregiving advocate for Home Instead, talks with dementia care expert and author David Troxel about how to overcome challenges of personal care.

Participants in the chat will learn:

  • The reasons behind resisting assistance with personal care
  • Tips for addressing challenges in the moment
  • Techniques to set the caregiver and care recipient up for success

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The Importance of Caregiver Support Groups

Live chat with expert: Alex Villano

Attending a support group isn’t a sign of weakness; rather the opposite. Support groups are a great option for caregivers to connect, share stories, and learn new ways to deal with the challenges of their role. In this #CaregiverChat, Dr. Lakelyn Hogan Eichenberger, gerontologist and caregiving advocate for Home Instead, talks with HFC’s Senior Director of Program Development & Strategy Alexandra Villano, support group leader Jane Wolf Frances and support group member Rayna Katz. You won’t want to miss this chat as the experts reflect on the important benefits these caregiver support groups provide. 

During this chat you will learn about: 

  • How meaningful connections are formed among group members
  • The importance of group input when faced with caregiving challenges
  • What support resources are available
  • Tips for finding a support group that fits their needs

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Is Hearing Loss the Culprit?

Live chat with expert: Shari Eberts

Many people think that hearing loss is a natural part of aging. They may also confuse it for something else, such as dementia. While a slight decline in hearing is normal in advanced age, hearing loss severe enough to impact daily life, needs medical attention. Join Dr. Lakelyn Hogan Eichenberger, Gerontologist and Caregiving Advocate for Home Instead as she discusses with hearing health advocate, author and speaker Shari Eberts. They will discuss the important warning signs of hearing loss and tips to help maintain independence and quality of life with impaired hearing.

During this chat you will learn about:

  • Warning signs of hearing loss
  • Tips to help maintain independence and enhance quality of life with hearing loss
  • Techniques to enhance communication with someone living with hearing loss
  • How caregivers can support their loved one with hearing loss

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Why Getting a Dementia Diagnosis is Important

Live chat with expert: Lori La Bey

Are you seeing changes in you or your loved one’s cognition? Have you contemplated bringing it up to a healthcare provider or discussing your concerns with your loved one? While the thought of getting a dementia diagnosis may be overwhelming, there can be many benefits. Join Dr. Lakelyn Hogan Eichenberger as she talks with dementia care expert and Alzheimer’s Speaks founder Lori La Bey about the diagnosis journey and what families can expect. 

During this chat you will learn: 

  • A brief overview of dementia and the signs and symptoms 
  • Tips for bringing up concerns about a loved one’s cognition
  • Reasons to talk to a healthcare provider and get a diagnosis 
  • Resources to support individuals and families navigate dementia 

 

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Balancing Work and Caregiving

Live chat with expert: Liz O’Donnell

Of the 53 million family caregivers in the U.S., 61% work. Balancing both work and caregiving duties is challenging. Many of these caregivers are considered the sandwich generation that is caring for aging parents and children at the same time. Home Instead gerontologist and caregiving advocate Dr. Lakelyn Eichenberger will be joined by author and founder of Working Daughter Liz O’Donnell to discuss tips to help working family caregivers find support and balance. 

During this chat you will learn: 

  • Challenges working family caregivers face  
  • How to cope with the various demands on a caregiver’s time
  • Tips to find work, life and caregiving balance  
  • Resources to support working family caregivers 

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The Legal Aspects of Estate Planning

Live chat with expert: Jerold Rothkoff

Did you know that more than 60% of American adults have not created a legally-binded estate plan? Or that a proper plan entails 5 critical components? Join Jerold E. Rothkoff, an elder law attorney and care advocate, to learn more about the ins and outs of an estate plan and why it’s so important to help your loved one line up their asset designations sooner than later. 

Dr. Lakelyn Hogan Eichenberger, Home Instead Gerontologist and Caregiver Advocate will talk with attorney Jerold Rothkoff about:  

  • The 5 components that make up an estate plan 
  • Why estate planning is critical and when to get started 
  • Where to turn when drafting documents like wills, trusts and power of attorney
  • Understanding the legal aspects of various care types  
  • How an elder law attorney assists families

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How Family & Professional Caregivers Work Together

Live chat with expert: Jenny Munro and Bill Glover

Caring for an aging loved one can take a village of family, professionals, friends and neighbors, each with individual strengths that positively impact the care provided. Adding a professional caregiver to your loved one’s care plan benefits all involved – especially the family caregiver. Join Jenny Munro, a family caregiver who cared for her mother with Alzheimer’s disease, and Bill Glover, a professional caregiver at Home Instead, to hear both caregiver perspectives and the perks of working well together.  

Join Dr. Lakelyn Hogan Eichenberger, Home Instead Gerontologist and Caregiver Advocate, as she talks with Jenny and Bill, to learn more about:  

  • The thought process for families deciding whether or not to use home care 
  • How a professional caregiver approaches starting care with a new family 
  • How the two caregiver roles complement and support one another 
  • Keys to a successful caregiving partnership  

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Prioritizing Brain Health as a Caregiver

Live chat with expert: Lynn Posluns

Brain health disorders, like dementia, disproportionately affect women. In fact, approximately 70% of those living with Alzheimer’s are women. Caregiving duties also fall on the shoulders of more women (61%) than men (39%).  Join to learn simple tips to help caregivers stop putting their own brain health (and health) on the back burner. Lynn Posluns, founder and president of Women’s Brain Health Initiative, will talk with Dr. Lakelyn Hogan Eichenberger, Home Instead Gerontologist and Caregiver Advocate, about how caregivers can begin to prioritize their own brain health. 

Join to learn more about:  

  • Why women are disproportionately impacted by brain disorders 
  • The importance of brain health for caregivers 
  • Simple tips to incorporate healthy living into daily life

 

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