Caregiver Teleconnection

Explore our remote caregiver support programming
View Past Events
  • Managing Difficult Behaviors with Evalyn Greb, LCSW

    Has your loved one’s behaviors become more difficult lately? This session will help participants find out why difficult behaviors happen and describe some coping strategies for a variety of the more common ones. You’ll be able to share your questions, techniques, and tips with other caregivers in a meaningful way.  

  • Legal Issues for Caregivers with Carol Bertsch, Elder Law Attorney

    Carol Bertsch is a practicing elder law attorney, who is well known in her field as a fierce advocate for older adults and their family caregivers. Listen as Carol discusses those important legal issues and documents with which caregivers and seniors need to be familiar.  

  • Minduflness with Cynthia Hazel, M.A.

    Research shows that mindfulness, the practice of accepting what is without judgment can lower psychological stress. Caregivers who share their lives while valuing themselves can reduce their stress levels and become open to the possibility of joyful moments with their loved one(s). In this session, we will explore how being mindful will help caregivers provide […]

  • Lucy Barylak, MSW as “Dear Lucy”

    Caregivers will have the opportunity to call in and ask questions, make comments and express yourself regarding the issues you face as a caregiver. You can submit your questions or comments by email or phone.

  • Managing Family Conflict During Family Caregiving with Barry Jacobs, PsyD

    Differences of opinion are a natural part of family life. Little wonder, then, that such differences and even heated debates arise during family caregiving when the stakes and emotions run high. During this hour, psychologist, family therapist and co-author of AARP Meditations for Caregiving, Barry J. Jacobs, Psy.D., will present a framework for managing conflict […]

  • Lucy Barylak, MSW as “Dear Lucy”

    Do you have a question about something related to your duties as a caregiver? Have you been wondering if there is a better way to manage a challenging situation? We want to hear from you! This is a chance for you to ask questions, make comments, and express yourself regarding the issues you face as […]

  • Caregiver Burnout with James Huysman, PsyD, LCSW

    A caregiver’s self-care is just as important as the care provided to another. When we don’t take care of ourselves, we diminish our quality of life. Burnout, depression, and compassion fatigue are the result of ignoring our own needs and wants. In this session, Dr. Jamie will identify the red flags and feelings to watch […]

  • Lucy Barylak, MSW as “Dear Lucy”

    Caregivers will have the opportunity to call in and ask questions, make comments and express yourself regarding the issues you face as a caregiver. You can submit your questions or comments by e-mail or phone.

  • Mental Health & Aging: What Caregivers Need to Know with J Dan Bruce

    Learn about how to ensure that the most appropriate medical professionals are consulted and remain involved to diagnose symptoms as being “Normal aging,” dementia, or depression and anxiety. What are common medications used, correctly and incorrectly? Learn from an expert who works with families in their homes who has experience in many settings.

  • An Introduction to Lewy Body Dementia with Angela Taylor, Director of Programs

    Lewey Body Dementia affects an estimated 1.4 million individuals and their families here in the U.S. Angela Taylor will be providing an introduction to Lewy body dementia, including its symptoms and how it differs from Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. She will also share what she views as her 4 pillars of LBD caregiving, based […]

  • Lucy Barylak, MSW as “Dear Lucy”

    Caregivers will have the opportunity to call in and ask questions, make comments and express yourself regarding the issues you face as a caregiver. You can submit your questions or comments by e-mail or phone.

  • Developing Coping Strategies with Evalyn Greb, LCSW

    Do you feel like you are coping with caregiving as well as you might? If not, this session will discuss how to learn new techniques, validate the ones you use that are working, and provide the opportunity for other caregivers to share how they have developed coping strategies that make life better.

  • Lucy Barylak, MSW as “Dear Lucy”

    Caregivers will have the opportunity to call in and ask questions, make comments and express yourself regarding the issues you face as a caregiver. You can submit your questions or comments by e-mail or phone.

  • Talking about Suicide: Overcoming the Taboo with Stacey Freedenthal, PhD, LCSW

    Stacey Freedenthal, PhD, LCSW will discuss the need for caregivers to directly ask people at risk for suicide if they are having suicidal thoughts, obstacles to having this conversation, and ways to overcome those obstacles. This will include discussing specific techniques for asking about suicidal thoughts.

  • Lucy Barylak, MSW as “Dear Lucy”

    Caregivers will have the opportunity to call in and ask questions, make comments and express yourself regarding the issues you face as a caregiver. You can submit your questions or comments by e-mail or phone.

  • Maintaining Dignity in Dementia with Melissa Griffin

    How do caregivers maintain dignity while their loved one becomes increasingly dependent on them? Join this presentation lead by the Alzheimer’s Association to learn tips on preserving dignity for the person with the disease and increasing their quality of life.

  • Validation Breakthrough with Naomi Feil, MSW, ACSW

    Naomi Feil, M.S.W., A.C.S.W., developed Validation, which is a proven method of communication that helps improve the connection between caregivers and older adults experiencing dementia. Numerous studies have shown that Validation reduces stress for caregivers (which includes professionals and family members) while enhancing dignity and happiness for those they care for.

  • Strategies for treating dementia-related sleep issues with Nancy A. Hodgson, RN, PhD

    Most individuals living with dementia experience changes in their sleep patterns. Understanding and treating these sleep disturbances can be challenging for caregivers. Research suggests that sleep medications are not effective; however, nondrug approaches are helpful in improving sleep in persons with dementia. This presentation will describe the link between dementia and sleep disorders, and discuss […]

  • Caregiving for the Visually Impaired with Nancy Gawlik

    During our “Caregiving for the Visually Impaired” presentation we will cover blindness sensitivity and some basic caregiving information. This will include common types of vision loss, meeting a blind person, orientation and mobility, and sighted guide techniques. We will also address how to recognize vision loss and questions to ask the doctor.

  • Self-Compassion: Why it Matters While Caring for Others with Sharon Gayle, MA, LPC, LCDC

    It is a fact of life that everyone makes mistakes from time to time. When the mistake hurts someone we love, we can experience depression, anxiety, shame, and guilt over the pain we caused. The antidote to that shame and guilt is found in self-compassion. Sharon Gayle will discuss the features of self-compassion, how it […]

  • Lucy Barylak, MSW as “Dear Lucy”

    Caregivers will have the opportunity to call in and ask questions, make comments and express yourself regarding the issues you face as a caregiver. You can submit your questions or comments by e-mail or phone.

  • Untangling Dementia with Tam Cummings, PhD

    Tam’s signature talk, which is based on the name of her popular book “Untangling Dementia: A Guide to Understanding Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias”, provides family and professional caregivers an in-depth understanding of the disease from diagnosis to death. During her presentation, Tam explains the progression and staging of dementia, the physical causes of disease-driven behaviors, […]

  • Caregiving and Family Dynamics with Dr. Yvonne Lozano

    Family members are deeply and emotionally connected despite feeling distant or disconnected In this session- understanding family dynamics and caregiving begins with the family systems theory. Dr. Lozano will present types of underlying family dynamics and the impact of these dynamics on caregiving. Lastly, this session will review five methods to assess your relationship with […]

  • Home Care Services: How Help for your Loved Ones Helps the Caregiver

    Do you find that now that you are a caregiver, you just don’t have enough time, energy, strength, or have health problems of your own? Learn how home care services can help and let you be the best caregiver for your loved one. Find out the difference between home care and home health care, how […]

  • How to Fall in Love with Yourself with Cynthia Hazel, M.A.

    We are taught from birth that we are to love others, but relational love can be challenging. If caregivers don’t understand how to meet their own needs, how can they be there for their charges? In the presentation, we will explore the importance of loving ourselves and caring for our own needs as a necessary […]

  • LOLA – Loss of Life Advocates with Esther Pipoly

    If you ask someone if they are prepared for a life transition or loss, they generally say they dont want to think about it, or they lean in and say, “I think so.” There is so much that goes into getting someone prepared and when you do the work, afterwards you will have the feeling […]

  • Compassion Fatigue with Amy Cunningham

    In this talk you will learn the how to differentiate between, stress, burnout, and Compassion Fatigue. You will learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of Compassion Fatigue, identify the trajectory, and begin to implement the 5 resilience’s needed to assist you in achieving growth.

  • Lucy Barylak, MSW as “Dear Lucy”

    Caregivers will have the opportunity to call in and ask questions, make comments and express yourself regarding the issues you face as a caregiver. You can submit your questions or comments by e-mail or phone.

  • Developing a Care Plan: Know your Future Now with Evalyn Greb, LCSW

    Evalyn Greb, LCSW will discuss how to properly assess your situation for you and your loved one as it is and help you understand how to prepare for the future care of your loved one. Learn about the importance of having a plan in place in order to avoid crisis situations.

  • Dementia: Effective Communication Strategies with Russell Gainer, LCSW

    We will explain the communication changes that take place throughout the course of the disease, decode the verbal and behavioral messages delivered by someone with dementia and respond in ways that are helpful to the person, and identify stages to connect and communicate at each stage of the disease. Specific focus will attend to dealing […]

  • Untangling Dementia with Tam Cummings, PhD

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  • Living Alone with Dementia with Mike Splaine

    Likely as many as 20% of persons with Alzheimer’s and other dementia in the US live alone—over 1 million. Splaine Consulting recently held three regional conferences and learned a lot about what these persons lives are like and some solutions that are coming on line to make their lives better. With a community that assumes […]

  • Finding Common Ground: Aikido Communication with Andy Crocker

    Learn about Aikido communication: Align, Agree, Redirect, and Resolve. With Aikido, one listens for areas of agreement or common ground and uses “I” messages, which are particularly effective when emotions run high.

  • Lucy Barylak, MSW as “Dear Lucy”

    Lucy Barylak, MSW as “Dear Lucy”. This is an interactive session where Dear Lucy will answer questions and have a conversation with caregivers regarding the issues they face in their caregiving journey. You may ask your question during the call or you can submit your questions or comments by email or phone.

  • Mouth Health / Body Health with Sarah J Dirks, DDS

    There is increasing scientific evidence for linking oral disease with overall health. Learn what is considered “normal” aging of the mouth, versus a disease state as well as the importance of health promotion and disease prevention, rather than the traditional dental model of “drill and fill”. Dr. Dirks presents an informational and practical framework so […]

  • Hospice Care with Dr. Heather Veeder, VITAS Healthcare

    If you were in control of your last months of life, what would you want? What would you want to accomplish? Who would you want to see? When life-prolonging interventions are no longer helpful or desired, hospice can offer support to meet your goals and spend your time focusing on what is important to you. […]

  • Medications and Older Adults with Daniel Min, PharmD

    Learn more about 1) the differences in how medications affect older adults differently than when they were younger, 2) the Beers list, 3) common drug interactions, 4) importance of using one pharmacy and ensuring all physicians have a complete list of medications. **Sponsored by the the North Central Texas Caregiver Teleconnection**

  • Lucy Barylak, MSW as “Dear Lucy”

    Lucy Barylak, MSW as “Dear Lucy”. This is an interactive session where Dear Lucy will answer questions and have a conversation with caregivers regarding the issues they face in their caregiving journey. You may ask your question during the call or you can submit your questions or comments by email or phone.

  • “The Care Key Conversation” with Dr. Jamie Husyma, PsyD, LCSW, CAP, CFT

    Caregivers face the heart rendering decision of taking the car keys away from elderly parents whose driving behavior has become a danger to themselves and others. This isn’t an easy decision to make because it represents the older driver’s sense of independence and dignity. Join Dr. Jamie in a discussion about taking away the car […]

  • The difference between men and women in caregiving with Barry Jacobs, PsyD

    Research suggests that women and men approach caregiving with different expectations and often take different approaches to tasks and the prospect of receiving help from others. Barry J. Jacobs, Psy.D, a psychologist and co-author of AARP Meditations for Caregivers, will explore these differences and suggest ways that women and men can work better together during […]