Understanding Dementia Related Behaviors

November is National Family Caregiver month.   More than 65 million people in the United States provide care for chronically ill, disabled or aged family members or friends during any given year. That care is valued at $375 billion a year, which is almost twice as much as is spent on homecare and nursing home services combined.

Many of those caregivers are caring for a person with dementia.  During the middle stage of dementia, the person with the disease often starts to exhibit new behaviors that can be confusing for a caregiver. These behaviors are a form of communication, and are essential to understanding the needs of the person with dementia.  Communication is more than just talking and listening – it’s also about sending and receiving messages through attitude, tone of voice, facial expressions and body language. As people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias progress in their journey and the ability to use words is lost, families need new ways to connect. 

To help caregivers decipher behaviors and determine how best to respond, the Alzheimer’s Association is offering three educational classes during the month of November.  Topics to be discussed include during the workshop are: 

• November 15:  Understanding Dementia Related Behaviors, Family Caregiver Support Network, 223 S C Street, Lompoc, CA
• November 16:  Resources for Care, Monitoring Care, Legal Plans, Hospice and Palliative Care, 124 S College Dr, Conf Rm 103B, Santa Maria, CA
• November 29:  Effective Communication Strategies, Family Caregiver Support Network, 223 S C Street, Lompoc, CA

 Through practical information, resources, and interviews with experts, these programs will help caregivers to address the challenges of dementia-related behavior, understand effective communication strategies and starting planning for end of life care.  

The Alzheimer’s Association is the premier source of information and support for the five million Americans with Alzheimer’s disease. Through its national network of chapters, it offers a broad range of programs and services for people with the disease, their families and caregivers and represents their interests on Alzheimer’s-related issues before federal, state and local government and with health and long term care providers.

As the disease progresses, new caregiving skills may be necessary. The Alzheimer’s Association offers programs to help caregivers better understand and cope with the behaviors and personality changes that often accompany Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.  Take this opportunity to become an educated caregiver.

To find out about other dates and locations for classes in your area, call the Alzheimer’s Association at (805) 636-6432.