I'm honored to be part of the exciting Dementia Friendly Fort Worth initiative. Not only are we the first major city in Texas to undertake this effort, but one of the largest cities in the United States. We are part of Dementia Friendly America (DFA), which is a multi-sector collaborative on a mission to foster "dementia friendly" communities across the nation.
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, The Family Caregiver, Senior Care Professionals, Care Partners, Dementia Live®Training, leadership, dementia friendly, Faith Community, Dementia Friendly America, Community, Dementia Friendly Fort Worth
I recently attended a conference and listened to a geriatrician share that the average number of medications her patients are on when they come to her practice is a shocking 18 - 24. That's per DAY! No doubt we have a serious epidemic in this country - our seniors are drowning in drugs.
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, The Family Caregiver, healthcare, Senior Care Professionals, Elders, Hospital Professionals, Faith Community, elderly, Seniors, older adults, Polypharmacy, Drugs, patients
It's no secret that families tend to shy away from the topics of money and death more often than not. The fact, however, is that caregiving decisions often revolve around money, as care options will vary greatly depending on one's assets. So money plays a very important role in the choices that are made and discussions that take place between family members.
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, The Family Caregiver, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Family, caregivers, Dementia Live, Faith Community, parents, money, depression-era, nest egg, families, children, understanding, family conflict
Despite our disappointments, struggles, and unknowns, we must cling to hope - for renewal, rebirth, and regrowth. This season brings hope as we witness new blossoms, trees budding and renewed faith. Caregivers need to above all, cling to their hope that this journey you are on will bring new blessings, opportunities for personal growth, and strength to carry on your important work.
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Caregiver, caregivers, Dementia Live, Faith Community, glioblastoma
Caring for a close family member friend can be emotionally overwhelming. While many caregivers find fulfillment in helping another person, along with this comes feelings of loss, anger, grief, and guilt. Caregivers struggle with depression and anxiety at a much higher rate than the general population. Counseling can be very beneficial for helping people with what is called caregiver burnout.
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, dementia, Family, Caregiver, caregivers, leadership, Faith Community, Caregiver Burnout, Burnout, Depression, families, Anxiety, Counseling
Anticipatory grief refers to a grief reaction that occurs before an impending loss. Typically, the impending loss is a death of someone close due to illness but it can also be experienced by dying individuals themselves.
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, caregivers, Faith Community, chronic illness, Hospice, death, Grief, Anticipatory grief
What is a harder conversation topic with elderly parents - money or death? If you guessed death, you get a gold star. Why do we find it so very difficult to discuss the inevitable? Surely we've all come to grips with the fact there is one thing certain about life and that is death. We can embrace the ending by learning to embrace the life that we still have with our loved ones until the times comes when they are no longer with us.
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, memories, caregivers, compassionate touch, Faith Community, Compassion, families, End-of-life, death
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Elders, Family, caregivers, Faith Community, church, Seniors, families, older adults, old adults, traditions
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, The Family Caregiver, Senior Care Professionals, Faith Community, aging, old age, aging society, retirement, demographer
I have always been a proponent that if something is just not working well, shifting gears may be a solution. Let's face it - everything is changing fast these days, so much so that it seems as if technology leads the pack in shifting gears at every juncture of our daily lives.
Topics: dementia care, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, dementia, caregivers, leadership, Faith Community, elder care, AGE-u-cate Training Instite
