Dementia and Caregiver Educational Series
Do you know someone who is living with Dementia? Or, do you think one day you may be a caregiver for someone who has Dementia—perhaps a parent, sibling or close friend? Or, do you believe your children may need to be a caregiver for you one day? We've created our Dementia and Caregiver Educational Series to help provide you with tools you'll need to face these challenges.
According to a Columbia University study in 2022, 10% of U.S. adults aged 65 and older have dementia, while another 22% have mild cognitive impairment; and, if one reaches age 90, that rate goes up to 35%. At Meira Wealth, are experiencing a rapidly increasing need to learn about this disease as it is impacting our clients and their families at an alarming rate. Many of us are, personally, living with the life-changing impacts of caregiving challenges for those who have dementia—and we have been searching for knowledge that we can use to be helpful to those who are caregiving and living with those who have dementia.
Dr. Tam Cummings, Ph.D.
Our search has taken us to Dr. Tam Cummings, Ph.D. thanks to a current client’s recommendation. Tam founded her company in 2009 with the mission to “Inspire, Educate and Empower Dementia Caregivers”. Now her professional gerontology practice is recognized as one of the nation’s leading educators of dementia caregivers. We have asked her to lead a series of five live webinar programs for our clients and friends, so that we can all learn about the underlying causes of dementia and how the progression of the disease can impact all involved. She states “My approach involves providing you with the tools you need to understand dementia and to emerge from the caregiving journey feeling you did your best in confronting 'the long goodbye.'”
Monday, Oct. 23 @ 4:00pm EDT (1:00pm PDT)
First Session: Something is Different With Mom: What Are the Most Common Dementias?
Family members typically notice a change in behavior in their loved ones, especially memory changes. That doesn’t mean they are prepared or equipped for the changes occurring due to brain damage. The nine most common dementias are approximately 98 percent of all dementias. By removing the dementias a person cannot have, you quickly narrow the field, giving you tools to better assess the person’s decisions.
Each dementia form has specific behaviors associated with it that help to identify the dementia. By identifying the dementia, you have an understanding of how the disease will progress, the speed it will progress and what behaviors will follow. For example, Persons With Lewy Bodies Dementia and Persons With FTDs understand what is being said around them and make new memories, whereas a Person With Alzheimer’s Dementia can not make new memories or assimilate new information. As an FYI, the five personalities of adult children in regards to caring or responding to their loved one’s condition will be addressed.
Monday, Oct. 30 @ 4:00pm EDT (1:00pm PDT)
Second Session: Dad Just Gave Away His Money: Brain Damage Due to Dementias Causes Predictable Behaviors
One of the earliest signs of many forms of dementia is a sudden inability to properly address, understand and utilize monies. Due to the personal nature of family finances, adult children or spouses are often afraid to take protective measures. Families may refuse to remove computer access, believing he is only playing games and not sending money to strangers. Or changing banks, moving funds, selling stocks, not selling stocks, etc. This is due to fear of hurting the Person With Dementia’s feelings, rather than realizing a brain disease is in process and protection of assets is also protection of the Person With Dementia.
Families are being asked to take away a loved one’s freedom during the course of dementia and for some this is very difficult. Due to lifestyles, other families may not realize anything is wrong with their loved one until the family is on vacation. The change in location can make the Person With Dementia suddenly appear lost. And sadly, some dementias also have a high suicide rate due to sudden changes in chemistry in the brain.
Monday, Nov. 6 @ 4:00pm EST (1:00pm PST)
Third Session: Mom Believes I’m Stealing From Her and Is Changing Her Directives: What is Memory and How Does it Work?
By Stage Five of the dementia process, the Person With Dementia will begin to accuse family members of stealing. Persons With Lewy Bodies Dementia begin this behavior in Stage Three, much sooner than the other dementias.
It is not unusual for the Person With Dementia to suddenly turn on a favorite child or family member and begin to display acute paranoia behaviors. The family member is accused of stealing funds, homes, automobiles, etc., as the Person With Dementia, while not appearing outwardly ill, has already lost about a half of a pound of brain tissue and has the mental ability of a 12 year-old to a four year-old child. Depending upon the Person With Dementia’s behaviors, judicial guardianship might be a final recourse to protect and provide care for a loved one.
Monday, Nov. 13 @ 4:00pm EST (1:00pm PST)
Fourth Session: How Do You Know It’s Time: Staging Dementias to Determine Brain Loss and Mental Abilities
Families of Persons With Dementia frequently want to know when is it time for Memory Care or Personal Home Care. By observing the behaviors of the Person With Dementia, families and professional caregivers can stage or follow the advancement of the disease process. Dementias move in predictable and progressive manners, allowing the tools to assist in determining when additional protections or care required for the Person With Dementia.
Monday, Nov. 20 @ 4:00pm EST (1:00pm PST)
Fifth Session: Understanding Dementia in a Loved One
Family members often notice changes in behavior in their loved ones, especially memory changes. Understanding the specific type of dementia can help explain why those changes occur, how the disease is likely to progress, and what behaviors may develop over time. Recognizing the differences among the most common forms of dementia also provides families with practical tools to make more informed care decisions, protect financial assets, and prepare for the legal, emotional, and caregiving challenges that often accompany the disease. By identifying the dementia rather than focusing only on the diagnosis, families are better equipped to respond to the changing needs of their loved one.
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