Why YOUR City Needs to become Dementia Friendly

Posted by Pam Brandon on May 4, 2018 10:29:31 AM

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.

Read More

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

News Flash! Our Seniors are Drowning in Drugs

Posted by Pam Brandon on Apr 20, 2018 11:53:06 AM

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.

Read More

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

The Important Role that Money plays in Caregiving Decisions

Posted by Pam Brandon on Apr 3, 2018 3:55:12 PM

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.

Read More

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

Renewal, Rebirth and Regrowth...Hope for Caregivers

Posted by Pam Brandon on Mar 30, 2018 1:01:38 PM

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.

Read More

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Caregiver, caregivers, Dementia Live, Faith Community, glioblastoma

How Counseling Can Help Caregivers Cope with Emotions

Posted by Pam Brandon on Mar 23, 2018 9:30:24 AM

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.

Read More

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

How Caregivers can Deal with Anticipatory Grief

Posted by Pam Brandon on Mar 2, 2018 11:23:19 AM

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.

Read More

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, caregivers, Faith Community, chronic illness, Hospice, death, Grief, Anticipatory grief

How Can We Lovingly Embrace the Ending...Tips for Families

Posted by Pam Brandon on Feb 9, 2018 8:00:05 AM

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.

Read More

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, memories, caregivers, compassionate touch, Faith Community, Compassion, families, End-of-life, death

Holiday Traditions...Accepting Change and Transition

Posted by Pam Brandon on Dec 12, 2017 10:57:43 AM
or christmas cooking and kitchen utensils on wooden table, top view
Read More

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Elders, Family, caregivers, Faith Community, church, Seniors, families, older adults, old adults, traditions

When does OLD age start? Now that's a loaded question...

Posted by Pam Brandon on Nov 17, 2017 3:54:24 PM

 

Read More

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, The Family Caregiver, Senior Care Professionals, Faith Community, aging, old age, aging society, retirement, demographer

Shifting Gears...What Might Happen if We Try Something New!

Posted by Pam Brandon on Oct 10, 2017 9:30:28 AM

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.

Read More

Topics: dementia care, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, dementia, caregivers, leadership, Faith Community, elder care, AGE-u-cate Training Instite

Subscribe to Our Blog

Lists by Topic

see all

Posts by Topic

See all

Recent Posts