Laughter and Tears in the Caregiver Years - Free public event and Professionals Luncheon
Laughter & Tears in the Caregiving Years: Managing family, career, elderly parents, and you!
October 28, 2010, at 5:30 pm at Burnham Brook Community Center
Attend this FREE event and enter to win a copy of Jacqueline's Book!
Jacqueline barely survived the most horrific year of her life as the sole caregiver to her challenging elderly father and sweet but ailing mother. Undiagnosed early-stage dementia, personality changes, an unsympathetic medical system, and financial stress nearly pushed her to the edge of her sanity and her strength.
Mixing practical advice with laugh-out-loud humor, Jacqueline shares how she turned her family crisis around, sharing knowledge and advice on issues such as: normal aging vs. early warning signs of Alzheimer’s, creative behavioral techniques for managing elderly loved ones, the value of community-based programs, coping with siblings, stress, guilt and grief, the importance of care for the caregiver, and so much more!
TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT, CALL 269-966-2450.
SPECIAL EDU-TRAINING SESSION FOR PROFESSIONALS AND THE PUBLIC
If you are a professional working in the field of aging, or just want to join Jacqueline for a lunch-time presentation, a special lunch training session will be held at Noon at Burnham Brook Community Center. Fro those wishing to accrue the 1.5 CEUs the cost is $25 and includes lunch. For those who don't need the CEUs the cost is only $10.00.
Learning objectives
1. Understand effective medical, behavioral and social management of challenging elders with dementia and/or depression who resist care.
2. Identify early warning signs and stages of Alzheimer’s Disease, senior moments vs. dementia, reversible dementias, medications used to treat AD, dementia statistics, prevention guidelines.
3. Explain why early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease is so important.
4. Implement creative behavioral techniques to encourage better behavior in resistant elders--and explain how these methods help to reduce caregiver frustration, which can lead to elder abuse.
5. Describe creative methods to get obstinate elders to: See a new doctor, accept a caregiver, shower, eat properly, take medication, attend adult day care/activities, stop driving, move to a new residence, etc.
6. Understand the importance of CARE for the CAREGIVER, and getting obstinate caregivers to do so.
SPACE IS LIMITED FOR BOTH EVENTS - SO REGISTER TODAY
New Classes for Caregivers of Veterans with Dementia
“After the first class, I felt a weight had been lifted. I learned so much. It’s helpful to know what I’m experiencing is normal and I’m not alone.” Family Caregiver
Creating Confident Caregivers utilizes the Savvy Caregiver Program, a university tested program for family members caring for a loved one with dementia at home. Three hour sessions are held once a week for four weeks, at no charge to participants through a federal grant.
This program provides participants with information, skills and attitudes to manage stress and increase effective care giving skills. The class meets once per week for four weeks - just three hours a week. You'll come away renewed and confident in your role as a caregiver. Some things you will learn:
- Dementia and its effects on the brain
- Caregiver resources
- Managing difficult behaviors
- Improving caregiving skills
- How to handle everyday activities more easily
- Taking care of yourself to better care for your loved one
This program is offered FREE to family members of military Veterans.
SIGN UP NOW FOR
CLASSES TO BE HELD IN AUGUST
To register for the class or to learn more about caregiver resources in our community, contact
Senior Health Partners at 269-441-0920.
This program is supported, in part, by Region 3B Area Agency on Aging, the U.S. Administration on Aging through its Alzheimer’s disease Supportive Services Program, (#90AI0022) and the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging.
Welcome!
Who we are: We are the Region 3B Area Agency on Aging (AAA) serving Barry and Calhoun counties. The Older Americans Act of 1965 created agencies like ours at the federal, state, and local level to administer programs that help older adults maintain their health and independence in their homes and communities.
Region 3B Area Agency on Aging was designated as an area agency on aging by the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging in 1996. We are a private, not-for-profit agency, serving Barry and Calhoun counties.
New Signage for Area Agency Vans
The Region 3B Area Agency on Aging recently added new signage to their transportation fleet. The Agency operates two mini-vans and a 15 passenger full-size van which they use to transport older adults and persons with disabilities. These vehicles can be seen around town with the agency's logo, contact information and services provided.
The new signage serves two purposes. It helps older adults who use the transportation service to identify the vehicle when it comes to pick them up at their home, or after an appointment. The new signage also helps to promote the Agency and the many important programs we operate.
