CareAware Journey

Insights and practical advice on caregiving from subject matter experts

Getting Started

 

The Journey of Caregiving


Video | 3:07 minutes
Marina Keers

No matter where a caregiving journey starts, it's important to have a plan. We make plans before we go on vacation, we make plans before we retire. And caregiving is another situation in our lives where we need to have a plan.

 

Building Your Caregiving Team

Video | 2:14 minutes
Mandla Moyo

Building a team that's both wide and deep will ensure that your caregiving journey is a successful one.

 

Loss of Normal


Video | 4:16 minutes
Virginia Caine, M.D.

The stress of trying to coordinate your own employment plus taking care of a loved one can be a tremendous demand on caregivers.

 

Becoming an Educated Caregiver


Video | 6:24 minutes
Denise Saxman, LCSW

Trying to be as prepared as possible for each step along the way can make a huge difference for caregiver well-being, but also for the person you're taking care of.

 

I Wish I Had Known


Video | 4:05 minutes
Virginia Caine, M.D.

A lot of my patients and family members say, "Wow, I wish I had known all of this. I suffered so much those first few weeks and months taking care of my loved one."

 

Pick Your Battles


Video | 2:26 minutes
Christine Turo-Shields, LCSW, Psychotherapist

If it doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. When at all possible, offer the loved one you are providing care for a choice.

 

Dealing with Difficult Behaviors


Video | 3:04 minutes
Kathy Pellman

Many techniques can be used to redirect difficult behaviors in people living with dementia.

 

Preventing Learned Helplessness

Video | 1:54 minutes
Marina Keers

Caregivers sometimes overstep and do things for the care recipient that they could do themselves and that they should do themselves, because it adds to their dignity and helps them maintain independence.

 

Legal and Financial Planning

Paying for Long-Term Care


Video | 5:10 minutes
Claire E. Lewis, Elder Law Attorney

The cost of long-term care today is so high that most people cannot afford it, unless you have long-term care insurance or qualify for Medicaid. It is important to get good advice if you have assets, so that you don't necessarily have to become impoverished in order to take advantage of the Medicaid program.

 

Legal Documents for Caregivers


Video | 3:34 minutes
Claire E. Lewis, Elder Law Attorney

Legal documents are extremely important in planning for end-of-life care. Some are available online and easy to download. Others are so significant that it is best to consult with an attorney.

 

Understanding Advance Directives


Video | 4:36 minutes
Claire E. Lewis, Elder Law Attorney

Advanced directives are directions in advance of one's incapacity. If you don't give thought to what you want to happen at end-of-life, sometimes those decisions are taken away from you.

 

When to Use a Special Needs Trust


Video | 1:22 minutes
Clifton Dennis, Elder Law Attorney

For families who have adult or minor children with disabilities, the best thing they can do is set up a special needs trust for that child.

 

Communicate Your Wishes with Healthcare Personnel


Video | 2:30 minutes
Claire E. Lewis, Elder Law Attorney

It is a chronic problem in our society that we create advanced healthcare directives, but we don't take them with us every time we go to a doctor or facility. So how do we communicate this information to the appropriate healthcare professional?

 

Sharing Key Documents with Your Family


Video | 1:54 minutes
Claire E. Lewis, Elder Law Attorney

I cannot tell you how many times I've had individuals come into my office who are now dealing with an incapacitated parent, and they are completely clueless about where key documents are.

Negative Emotions of Caregiving

 

The Ambivalence of Caregiving


Video | 3:27 minutes
Christine Turo-Shields, LCSW, Psychotherapist

Many individuals move into caregiving for a loved one naturally, and others out of a sense of duty. That can create a lot of ambivalence or struggle for that individual who finds themselves in that caregiving role.

 

The Impact of Chronic Stress on the Body


Video | 2:34 minutes
Virginia Caine, M.D.

Evidence-based medicine has clearly said that if someone has chronic stress to their body over an extended period of time, you are at risk for developing a life-threatening illness yourself.

 

Surviving the Holidays


Video | 2:36 minutes
Marina Keers

Holidays can be a big disruption in routine. When somebody has a lot of medical care that they need or assistance with those daily living tasks, holidays can be incredibly stressful for the caregiver.

Oxygen Masks

The Caregiver Health Prevention Bundle

Video | 5:56 minutes
Malaz Boustani, M.D.

Implementing the Caregiver Health Prevention Bundle will positively impact the well-being of a loved one with dementia and also the caregiver’s health and well-being.

The Beauty of Respite


Video | 3:53 minutes
Marina Keers

What we hope people get out of respite services, or any kind of respite, is an emotional and physical break from caregiving to alleviate stress.

The Gift of Laughter

Video | :54 minutes
Denise Saxman, LCSW

The firmer and the better response sometimes to something stressful is to laugh.

Preventing Abuse

Managing Agitation


Video | 4:34 minutes
Malaz Boustani, M.D.

If your loved one is suffering from a cognitive disability, they may have difficulty understanding their environment or communicating with you. Add to that your own stress and inability to communicate effectively, and you and your loved one could end up hurting each other.

 

Keep Your Eyes Open


Video | 4:17 minutes
Ken Bennett, Elder Law Attorney

As a caregiver, you're leading a team to provide the care necessary for your loved one, and in doing so, you must keep your eyes open for signs of abuse.

 

Recognizing Signs of Abuse


Video | 6:42 minutes
Andrea Qualitza

Learn to recognize signs of physical, verbal and financial abuse.

 

Power Over Financial Affairs


Video | 2:54 minutes
Ken Bennett, Elder Law Attorney

Financial exploitation is becoming quite prevalent in instances where folks may not have a lot of money, but they have a steady income stream.

 

Be Alert for Financial Abuse


Video | 6:05 minutes
Cynthia Oetjen, J.D.

How to use credit freezes and credit reports to monitor for signs of elder financial abuse.

 

When to Call Adult Protective Services


Video | 5:19 minutes
Andrea Qualitza

Exploitation of older adults often goes unreported. A lot of times, the person being abused wants to defend the abuser. If you have an individual that you feel is being abused, neglected, exploited, call Adult Protective Services. However, Adult Protective Services is not an emergency response unit. If it is an imminent, emergency life-threatening situation, call 911.

 

 

 

 

Additional Resources

Call the Aging & Disability Resource Center:

(317) 803-6131 or (800) 432-2422