The Alzheimer’s Association – Eastern North Carolina and Western Carolina Chapters, in partnership with Isaac Health, a leading national provider of brain health and dementia care, are offering a free virtual weekly education series called The Empowered Caregiver to help caregivers navigate the responsibilities of caring for someone living with dementia.
“Our latest Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report shows that dementia caregivers in North Carolina face significant emotional, physical and health-related challenges as a result of caregiving,” said Christine John-Fuller, executive director, Alzheimer’s Association – Eastern North Carolina Chapter. “Our goal with this collaboration with Isaac Health is to offer tools and education to help caregivers feel supported and see pathways forward.”
The Empowered Caregiver education series will be offered via live webinar each Thursday in February from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Caregivers can register for individual courses or the entire series. Each week will cover a new topic with expert speakers:
- Understanding Dementia and Foundations of Caregiving – February 6
Discover the differences between Alzheimer’s and dementia, understand the evolving role of caregivers, and learn how to build a support team and manage caregiver stress. Speaker: Joel Salinas, MD, co-founder and chief medical officer, Isaac Health
- Supporting Independence – February 13
Focuses on helping the person living with dementia take part in daily activities, providing the right amount of support and balancing safety and independence while managing expectations. Speaker: Debbie Prouty, assistant professor, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Wingate University
- Communication and Behavior Changes and Strategies – February 20
Teaches how dementia affects communication, including tips for communicating well with family, friends and health care professionals. Also, common behavior changes and how they’re a form of communication, non-medical approaches to behaviors and recognizing when help is needed. Speaker: Nancy Swigert, speech-language pathologist and Alzheimer’s community educator
- Care and Support Services – February 27
Examines how best to prepare for future care decisions and changes, including respite care, residential care and end of life care. Panelists include: David Fisher, MD, retired physician and Alzheimer’s community educator, Joel Salinas, MD, co-founder and chief medical officer, Isaac Health, Venitra White Dean, founder, Frankie Mae Foundation
There is no charge to participate, but registration is required to receive the Zoom link for the series. To sign-up, visit tinyurl.com/TheEmpoweredCaregiver or call 800-272-3900.
