FREE Online Caregiver Education Series
Figuring out memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming, especially while balancing COVID concerns. From February through April 2021, caregivers and care partners were invited to join Alzheimer's Tennessee online or by phone to learn from experts and ask questions. Each of the nine sessions focused on a unique and pertinent topic for caregivers. During three webinars each month, caregivers heard from leaders in the field about how to best care for their loved ones -- and themselves.
These conferences are supported in part by Vanderbilt University Medical Center Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, HRSA Grant 1-U1Q-HP 033085-01-00
To view recordings of previous sessions, please see below:
COVID and Adapting in the Moment
Originally Presented April 6, 2021 as part of a series supported in part by Vanderbilt University Medical Center Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, HRSA Grant 1-U1Q-HP 033085-01-00
Presenter Karen Stobbe has a passion for teaching innovative and successful caregiving strategies to help individuals with dementia live in the moment. She is co-developer of the “Hand in Hand” video that was produced by CMS and is distributed to every nursing facility in the country. Her Father and Mother are her inspirations for so desperately wanting to educate the world by bringing her unique perspective to the audience. Karen was working as an actress, director, writer and instructor of theatre when her Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Her life has taken on a new focus and new meaning in combining the knowledge of her two worlds into one life work.
Being an Effective Caregiver Presented by a Panel with Personal Experience in Caregiving
Originally Presented March 24, 2021, as part of a series supported in part by Vanderbilt University Medical Center Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, HRSA Grant 1-U1Q-HP 033085-01-00
Johnny Johnson has been his wife’s primary caregiver since she was diagnosed at the age of 57 with Early On-Set Alzheimer’s in 2018. Johnny’s wife has now entered into Hospice care and is doing well. He has experienced the full spectrum of caregiving over the past 4 years and has much to offer from the male perspective.
Sandy Hayes is one of the main caregivers for her sister-in law. Sandy assists her brother with his wife’s care. To help manage her care, they share a bit of a unique living arrangement: Sandy and her husband live on one side of their home, while Sandy’s brother and sister-in-law live on the other side.
Virginia Conger was a caregiver for her husband who served as the Mayor of Jackson for 22 years. Their grandson Scott is now the city's Mayor.
A Caregiver’s Toolbox: What You Need To Know
Originally presented March 17, 2021 as part of a series supported in part by Vanderbilt University Medical Center Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, HRSA Grant 1-U1Q-HP 033085-01-00
Presented by Melinda Bilbrey
Melinda has 40 years of experience in long-term care, working with patients who have dementia and their families. She has been a support group leader for more than 30 years, accumulating a wealth of knowledge to share with families during their journeys with dementia.
Caregiving Health Risks & Maintaining Your Health
Originally presented March 10, 2021 as part of a series supported in part by Vanderbilt University Medical Center Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, HRSA Grant 1-U1Q-HP 033085-01-00
Presented by Dr. James Powers
Director, Middle Tennessee Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program
Vanderbilt University Professor of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine
Help Is Available! Don’t Wait Too Late to Find Needed Resources
Originally presented Feb. 25, 2021 as part of a series supported in part by Vanderbilt University Medical Center Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, HRSA Grant 1-U1Q-HP 033085-01-00
Presented by a Panel of Experts in Community Services:
Elizabeth Moss, President & Founder of Caregivers by Whole Care
Sheila Uselton, Director of Business Development at Brookdale Senior Living
Kayse Martin, Director of Community Engagement, Council on Aging
The Forgotten Caregiver - Understand why caregivers fall through the support cracks and how to prevent it from happening to you
Originally presented Feb. 18, 2021 as part of a series supported in part by Vanderbilt University Medical Center Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, HRSA Grant 1-U1Q-HP 033085-01-00
Featured Speaker: Robyn Arab, BSW, CMC, Founder & Co-Host www.Daughtersonfire.com
View slides from presentation here: The Forgotten Caregiver_RobynArab.pdf
Memory Loss and Cognitive Decline: Is it Alzheimer’s Disease or a Related Dementia?
Originally presented Feb. 11, 2021 as part of a series supported in part by Vanderbilt University Medical Center Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, HRSA Grant 1-U1Q-HP 033085-01-00
Introduction: Dr. James Powers, Director, Middle Tennessee Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, Vanderbilt University Professor of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine
Featured Speaker: Dr. David Hutchings, licensed speech-language pathologist with specialization in geriatric neuropathology & dementia.
View slides from presentation here: DrHutchings_Understanding Dementia 2021.pdf
VIDEO COMING SOON ONLINE:
April 13: Activities of Engagement in a COVID World
Do you find yourself, as a care partner, attempting to fill in hours, day after day with very little feeling of accomplishment? We often speak to others in a similar situation and convince ourselves we are not doing our best or enough……leading to further isolation, negative feelings, and discouragement. You are NOT alone! Join us as we brainstorm best practices and build confidence in developing realistic activities and expectations for those we love.
Kareen King is an author of Engage! 28 Creative Enrichment Experiences for Older Adults (ArtAge Pub.). She works with organizations that want to create a culture where elders and their care partners are loved, validated, and creatively engaged. As a Registered Drama Therapist and Creative Engagement Specialist, she can help you discover exciting ways to provide meaningful and engaging experiences for older adults as well as offer creative care-giving tools for caregivers and individuals in the field of aging services.
April 20: How a Pandemic Changed Legal Planning and What We Can Do
Kelly Frere - CELA, Guyton & Frere received her J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1991 and was certified as an elder law specialist by the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization in 1998. She was inducted into the Council of Advanced Practitioners of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).
