Dementia & Family Caregiver Resources
For more information call 608.637.5201 and ask for Teresa
Dementia Care and Caregiver Newsletter
The Family Caregiver program offers support to families caring for a person over 60, caring for someone with dementia, and provides support to Grandparents/Relative 55+ caring for minor children. We help with obtaining supportive services, educational materials such as books and online resources, future planning strategies, and ensuring basic needs are met.
The Dementia Caregiver Program supports people with dementia and their caregivers to ensure the highest quality of life possible while living at home. We can provide assistance to adults with memory concerns or who have a dementia diagnosis. We can offer assistance with understanding dementia, strategies and tools to cope with behavioral changes and skills to help reduce stress in the home.
Alzheimer's Association Facts & Figures Facts & Figures
Climb Theatre A book, a play, a film and a wealth of educational resources that raise empathy, resiliency and a deeper awareness around the impact of Dementia. Click to learn more and watch the Grandpa & Lucy animated version inspired by a book written by a 9th grader.
Great resource to talk to children about dementia Grandpa & Lucy
Caregiver Support Groups:
A caregiver support group can act as a positive outlet providing caregivers regular time for social interaction outside of the home. Groups offer a safe place where any negative emotions about caregiving can be expressed and validated (like anger, frustration, and grief), helping participants feel they are not alone. Caregivers can gather ideas on how others deal with the everyday challenges of caring for a loved one during each of the stages of dementia. You may find that you can help others experiencing where you’ve already been.
Do I Need a Support Group?
Do you need caregiving resources?
Are you feeling stressed and overwhelmed?
Are you depressed? Tired? Rundown?
Would you like to have additional caregiving coping strategies?
Do you want a support system?
Have you ever wanted someone to be there for you?
Would you like to acquire more education from other caregivers?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, we encourage you to attend one of the support groups below.
Thursday Evening Conversations | Thursdays | 7:30pm-8:30pm | Meet on Virtual Platform
Every Thursday Evening
Sharing Our Journey (In Person) Meeting: First Monday of the Month | 10:00-11:00am | Maplewood Terrace (lower level) 620 Garfield Ave, Viroqua WI
May 1
June 5
July no meeting
August 7
Caregiver Support Group | 3rd Thursday of the Month | 1:00-2:00pm | Soldiers Grove Public Library, 102 Passive Sun Drive, Soldiers Grove WI
May 18
June 15
July 20
August 17
Circle of Support | 3rd Tuesday of the Month | 2:00-3:00pm | Meet on Virtual Platform
May 16
June 20
July 18
August 15
Book Club at the Hillsboro Library:
Opportunity to learn more about dementia & caregiving. Dementia Care Specialist available to facilitate book discussion.
Hillsboro Public Library: Meetings 1:00-2:00pm
February 15 Still Alice by Lisa Genova
April 19 Mom’s Gone Missing by Susan Marshall
June 21 My Two Elaine’s by Martin Schreiber
Virtual Book Clubs | 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month 12:00-1:00pm | Call to get the meeting link
March: Learning to Weather the Storm by Lauren Dykovitz
May: When I'm Not Me Anymore by Rhonda Hoffman
September: What the Hell Happened to My Brain? by Kate Swaffer
November: Confessions of an Imperfect Caregiver by Bobbi Carducci
January: Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting by Lisa Genova
Boost Your Brain & Memory Class:
March 24 - May 5 | 1:00-2:30pm | Maplewood Terrace (Lower level) 620 Garfield Ave, Viroqua WI
July 12 - August 23 | 1:00-2:30pm | Hillsboro Public Library
Have you ever wondered if there were way to take care of your brain as you age? The Boost Your Brain & Memory class focuses on a variety of lifestyle factors that impact brain health and memory strategies. Class Topics: Physical Activity, Emotional Health, Cognitive Activity, Nutrition, Spiritual Activity, & Social Engagement. Call our office to register.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers: Next Class October & November 2023 Open to anyone caring for a loved one. Class is held once a week (1.5 hours) for 6 weeks. Registration required and class is free. To participate you need a computer or tablet with mic/audio & internet access. You may not even think of yourself as a caregiver - you're simply helping someone you love. But when the stresses and difficulties that often come with caregiving become overwhelming, it's important to take care of yourself too. That's where Powerful Tools for Caregivers © (PTC) comes in. In just six weeks, Powerful Tools for Caregivers can help you identify and manage the physical, emotional and financial challenges that family caregiving can present and connects you with other caregivers who are facing some of the same feelings and problems you may be facing.
Wisconsin Archives - Powerful Tools for Caregivers click to view online courses availability
Savvy Caregiver Class: Class is recommended for anyone caring for a person living with dementia. Registration required and class is free.
Next class begins May 1 - June 26 | 2:00-4:00pm | Virtual Class
Savvy Caregiver is a proven curriculum developed by Dr. Kenneth Hepburn and colleagues at the University of Minnesota. Grounded in research this educational series teaches strategies, practical real-world skills, and helps to reduce stress, both in the caregiver and the person for whom care is being provided. Savvy Caregiver increases the caregiver’s sense of competence, and well-being even though there may be little experience. The course will cover:
- understanding the career of caregiving
- different types of dementia
- how the decline in cognition affects behavior
- dealing with the feelings that arise while caregiving
- fitting tasks and activities to the person’s abilities
- decision making skills
Cognitive Screens: Worried about your memory, having trouble completing tasks? A Cognitive/Memory screen is a brief tool used to access for changes in memory, it is not a diagnostic test. Screenings available upon request.
Dementia Friendly Communities: A dementia-friendly community raises awareness of and develops respect and inclusion for people with dementia, has services and resources embedded in all areas of the community to ensure meaningful access to community and promote quality of life, supports and educates all community members, people with dementia, and their care partners from diagnosis through disease progression.
If your community group or place of business would like to learn more, please contact our office.
Dementia & Caregiving Lending Library: The ADRC office has a lending library available to anyone living in Vernon County. Stop by and browse the selection. Books can be taken home and returned when finished.
Dementia Care Specialist Webinar Series
Each presentation will cover a different topic and include practical tools and resources for families living with or caring for someone with dementia. All webinars take place from 12-1 pm on the second Wednesday of the month. Click on "DCS Webinar Series" to learn how to register.
January: Social Isolation https://livestream.com/dhswebcast/events/9050160/videos/216001289
February: Intimacy & Relationship Changes https://livestream.com/dhswebcast/events/9050160/videos/217389904
March: Incontinence Management https://livestream.com/dhswebcast/events/9050160/videos/218586941
April: Care Transitions https://livestream.com/dhswebcast/events/9050160/videos/219944371
May: Building a Support Network https://livestream.com/dhswebcast/events/9050160/videos/221090021
June: Safety Planning https://livestream.com/dhswebcast/events/9050160/videos/222167847
July: Driving https://livestream.com/dhswebcast/events/9050160/videos/223455891
August: Grief https://vimeo.com/showcase/8643812/video/586767098
September: Palliative Care https://vimeo.com/showcase/8643812/video/623473805
October: Family Conflict & Changes in Social Support https://vimeo.com/showcase/8643812/video/631280199
November: Non-Pharmacological Approaches: Part 1 https://vimeo.com/showcase/8643812/video/644518660
December: Non-Pharmacological Approaches: Part 2 https://vimeo.com/showcase/8643812/video/654688679
Online Tools:
Wisconsin Caregiver
Home | Wisconsin Family Caregiver Support Program (wisconsincaregiver.org)
Trualta The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and the Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources (GWAAR) have announced a partnership with Trualta, a new free online educational tool for family caregivers across Wisconsin. Trualta helps caregivers learn about health issues, care techniques and managing care for loved ones. Caregivers can visit WisconsinCaregiver.org and click on the “Trualta” banner on the main page to register. If you have questions regarding Trualta, call our office and talk with Teresa.
Dementia CareBlazers Dementia tips & strategies to help you take the best care of you AND your loved one with dementia. New video every Sunday.
CareBlazers YouTube Videos
Wisconsin Department of Health Services: Learn how to better care for a family member with dementia. https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/dementia/families.htm
Alzheimer's Association: Wisconsin Chapter Build a support system with people who understand. Alzheimer’s Association® telephone support groups provide emotional, educational and social support for caregivers. Held via telephone to accommodate individuals who are unable to travel to a meeting site, these groups help participants develop coping methods and encourage them to maintain their personal, physical and emotional health.
Alzheimer's Association Website
Caregiver Online Support
Virtual Events for Caregivers
Caregiver Teleconnection
Caregiver Training Videos for individuals faced with doing personal care tasks that they don’t normally do:
Caregiver Action Network
UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program
Teepa Snow Dementia Caregiving Strategies
Caregiver Video Series developed by Veteran Affairs- To educate and aid Veteran caregivers, the Office of Rural Health funded the following caregiver video series, each of which are broken up into modules on specific topics. Topics: Improving Communication in Dementia, Intimacy in Dementia, How Much to Help in Dementia, Addressing Major Safety Risks in Dementia
VA Caregiver Videos
What is Alzheimer's?
A Quick Look at Alzheimer's Disease
Bookcase Analogy by Alzheimer’s Society
Our Funding Sources: What the Programs can Provide
The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) was established in 2000 as an amendment to the Older Americans Act of 1965. Its main purpose is to assist families and other informal caregivers in caring for loved ones at home for as long as possible. Research shows that caregivers experience high levels of emotional, physical, and financial stress which often leads to diminished health of the caregiver. A range of services and support are available to caregivers.
The Alzheimer’s Family Caregiver and Support Program (AFCSP) was created by the Wisconsin state legislature in 1985 as a way to provide assistance to families who are caring for a loved one with irreversible dementia at home. The program is available to persons with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia and their caregiver. Their household income must also be less than $48,000/year with allowances for disease-related expenses.