Caring for People Living with Dementia Wednesday afternoons 1-3:00 PM, September 4, 11, 18, 25 at the Twisp Grange. Minimum of 5 and Maximum of 12 participants
You can request respite care for your loved one (we will set up a Creative Aging art project downstairs at the Grange).
This four week, 8-hr course will offer all kinds of insight into dementia and how to provide loving, respectful care for people living with dementia. The key is education and approaching care with creativity, compassion, and understanding. We’ll also cover ways to take care of ourselves as caregivers.
Session One: We’ll start by answering the questions what is dementia, how is it diagnosed, where do you go with that diagnosis, how does it unfold, what is it like living with dementia? Find out what you know—and what you don’t know. Education is key.
Session Two: With this information we can begin sharing information and experiences in caregiving--ways to successfully communicate, engage in a meaningful way, discover stimulating daily activities, and help create a sense of purpose and self-esteem for the person living with dementia.
Session Three: We will take a look at some of the challenges of caregiving and share ways to manage difficult situations and behaviors. We’ll talk about how caregiving changes as the symptoms of dementia progress, the importance of planning ahead including some tools and related paperwork, options in care, and setting up a network of support.
Session Four: In our final session we’ll talk about the goals of care, and we’ll discuss self-care as caregivers. We’ll share resources for all kinds of support that is out there, discuss the importance of reaching out for help when you need it, and remind ourselves of how hugely important this caregiver role is.
About your instructor: Kathy Merwin is passionate about holistic care for people living with dementia, as she had the honor of doing this sacred work with her own mother for the last 3-1/2 years. She brings warmth, compassion, and the desire to continually expand her knowledge in her role as facilitator. Kathy is part of the Methow At Home team as staff, member, volunteer, and SAIL instructor.
Methow At Home’s dementia education and care partner support programming and the Methow Creative Aging program are made possible with the support of Moccasin Lake Foundation and the Richard & Maude Ferry Charitable Foundation.