Caregiving Heroes Newsletter

The April 6 presentation by Doni Green of the NTCOG Area Agency on Aging will include Dementia Live®. 12 volunteers will use a gear kit to experience what it may be like to live with dementia. They will share their reactions with the group, but watching others suddenly experience dementia is moving as well! Tips on how to communicate with people in that predicament will be shared.

Ms. Green will also introduce Heroes to Dementia Friendly Dallas, a collaborative effort to unify local resources, to create a community that is informed, safe and respectful of individuals with dementia and their care partners. This initiative aims to inform caregivers and those with dementia about programs to help them, like respite programs, employer programs, etc. This is part of Dementia Friendly America, started in 2015.

DATE: Saturday, April 6, 2024

TIME: 10:00AM

PLACE: Library of First United Methodist Church Coppell, 420 S. Heartz Road, Coppell, TX

******BREEZEWAY ENTRANCE ONLY: Use the parking lot on the EAST side of the main building and enter at the Breezeway (Stringfellow School entrance) which is between the playground and the Chapel entrance. (All other doors will be locked.)******

Upcoming meetings, 10:00am:

Saturday, May 4 - Sharing meeting

Saturday, June 1 - TBD

• Offer corrections as suggestions. Avoid explanations that sound like scolding. Try: "I thought it was a fork" or "I think she is your granddaughter Julie."
• Try not to say "remember bla-bla-bla." Say, "I love how we used to, I love how we went to," etc.
• Travel with the person to where he or she is in time. Realize that this point in time is their current reality and go there with them.
  
• Respond with a brief explanation. Don't overwhelm the person with lengthy statements or reasons. Instead, clarify with a simple explanation. Source.
  

• Significant weight gain or weight loss
• Poor hygiene
• Confusion
• Falls
• Loneliness or social isolation
• Trouble walking or getting around

Your first step may be to talk to the older person about your concerns. Mention your worry without sounding critical, such as, “Mom, it looks like you don’t have much food in the house. Are you having trouble getting to the store?” Source.

You may see signs of abuse or neglect when you visit an older person at home or in an eldercare facility. You may notice the person:

• Has trouble sleeping
• Seems depressed or confused
• Loses weight for no reason
• Displays signs of trauma, like rocking back and forth
• Acts agitated or violent
• Becomes withdrawn
• Stops taking part in activities he or she enjoys
• Has unexplained bruises, burns, or scars
• Looks messy, with unwashed hair or dirty clothes
• Develops bed sores or other preventable conditions

If you see signs of abuse, try talking with the older person to find out what’s going on. For instance, the abuse may be from another resident and not from someone who works at the nursing home or assisted living facility. Most importantly, get help. Source.

The mission of Caregiving Heroes of First United Methodist Church Coppell is to provide support and education to family and friends in our community who are assisting loved ones with aging or other concerns. We do this by providing valuable local resources, understanding and compassionate support.

Email: caregivingheroesgroup@gmail.com
Website: https://fumccoppell.org/connect/care-support/
Location: 420 South Heartz Road, Coppell, TX, USA
Phone: 214-728-5934
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/caregivingheroescoppell/