Coping with Caregiving is a 5 week series we offer to support care partners of people living Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. There are three versions of this program that we have available – one for all care partners in English, one for all care partners in Spanish, and one for care partners whose person is living with both Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and dementia. Below we’ll explain what each version of this program offers.
Coping with Caregiving in English
Participants will learn about the disease, develop new caregiving techniques, and learn how to relieve stress. The series will focus on, among other things:
- How to cope with frustration
- How the brain functions
- Grief and loss
- How to de-escalate a tough situation
- Creating a reliable support system
Coping with Caregiving in Spanish (Sobrellevando el Cuidado)
Esta serie de 5 semanas se enfoca en el cuidador. Algunos de los puntos a discutirse son:
- La demencia y sus distintas etapas
- Estrategias y técnicas para manejar y proveer cuidado
- Estrategias para manejar el estrés
- Crear un plan para el futuro
- Compartir y hablar con otros
Esta serie proporciona una discusión profunda entre cuidadores sobre cómo hacer frente a los diversos cambios que están ocurriendo. El formato de este grupo es educativo y de apoyo, permite a los cuidadores construir conexiones entre ellos mientras comparten y aprenden nuevas estrategias e ideas entre unos y otros.
Coping with Caregiving for IDD Care Partners
The early signs of Alzheimer’s disease in people with Down syndrome can sometimes differ from those in the general population. For this reason, a thoughtful approach is very important. This is a psychoeducational group that helps caregivers face the new challenges ahead. Some of the topics include:
- Discussing dementia symptoms in the Down syndrome population
- Developing skills
- Techniques for providing care
- Managing stress
- Creating a plan for the future
The series provides in-depth discussion amongst other caregivers about how to cope with the various changes that are occurring. The format of the group is supportive and held virtually where caregivers can build connections while learning new ideas from one another.
Upcoming Offerings
There are two Coping with Caregiving series’ beginning soon: Coping with Caregiving in Spanish (Sobrellevando el Cuidado) starting on September 25th, and Coping with Caregiving for IDD Care Partners beginning on September 26th. If you’re interested, contact Kristen Romea at kromea@alzsd.org or 858.369.7240. A screening is required to participate.
To stay up to date with when the Spanish version and future versions of the program begin, sign up for our email newsletter (English version / Spanish version). You may also view our services page to see the rest of our free programs.
*For the Spanish and IDD Coping with Caregiving series’: These projects are supported by grant number 90ADPI0066-01-00 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.
Posted on September 18, 2023
