The holiday season is almost upon us. While individuals living with dementia and their caregivers may find the holiday season challenging, even overwhelming, it is still possible to find meaningful ways to celebrate. This program discusses signs of caregiver stress, provides strategies to adjust holiday celebrations and traditions, and presents approaches to maintain caregiver health.

This program is designed to provide caregivers a comprehensive overview of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Caregivers of individuals with dementia will learn about the various stages of Alzheimer’s disease, the process of getting a diagnosis, strategies for caring for someone with dementia, and much more.

Presented by Dana Schrager, OTR/L and Robert Festa, PT, DPT, GCS from VNA Health Group. Changes in communication, mobility and cognition present many challenges for those with dementia and their caregivers. This engaging and practical program for family caregivers will explore how speech, occupational and physical therapy can provide help through a person-centered approach that enhances independence and overall quality of life for persons with dementia while also supporting caregivers.

Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or other form of dementia can be a very overwhelming experience. Often, caregivers neglect their own well-being because they devote so much time to the responsibilities of day-to-day caregiving. This program examines caregiver stress and offers coping strategies to become a healthier caregiver.

Behavioral changes in Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia can pose concerns for family caregivers. As the disease progresses, behavior often becomes the primary way people with the disease communicate their needs. Learn why people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia experience behavior changes, what those behaviors mean, and how to cope when behaviors are challenging.

As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, people with the disease lose their ability to use words to communicate. Join us to learn how to improve communication at each stage of the disease, including how to recognize behavior as a form of communication. Topics will include how to identify verbal and non-verbal messages to connect with the person living with Alzheimer’s disease.

Memory loss that disrupts everyday life is not a normal part of aging. This program differs from “Understanding Dementia” as it explores the differences between normal age-related memory changes and abnormal changes that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, including some of the common warning signs.

The decision to place a loved one with dementia in a residential care facility can be difficult, confusing, and fraught with understandable emotion. There are many issues to consider.

This program is designed to provide caregivers with a comprehensive overview of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Caregivers of individuals with dementia will learn about the various stages of Alzheimer’s disease, the process of getting a diagnosis, strategies for caring for someone with dementia, and much more.