Alzheimer's Disease, Dementias and Healthy Aging

December 2025 Newsletter

From Overwhelmed to Empowered: A Professional Guide to Supporting Dementia Caregivers

Hosted by : Alzheimer’s Association New England Chapters

December 17, 2025

12:00 - 1:00 PM

Live Virtual

Caregivers are the backbone of support for individuals with complex needs, but who supports the caregiver? This engaging and insightful session is open to all, particularly for professionals who work with caregivers and want to better understand their challenges, needs, and strengths. The session explores the emotional toll of caregiving, common coping mechanisms, and the importance of learning new communication strategies that may feel counterintuitive but are essential for effective care. Attendees will gain practical insights into care navigation, including how caregivers find resources, manage conflicting information, and plan for the future while juggling daily responsibilities.

Presenters: 

Marie Clouqueur, LICSW, Director of the GUIDE Program and Caregiver Services in the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, McLean Hospital.

Jill Hovanasian, LICSW, Manager of Community Referrals and MA/NH Helpline Program, Alzheimer’s Association, MA/NH Chapter

CEUs:

Nursing: This program meets the requirements of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing at 244 CMR 5.00 for 1 contact hour

Social Work: Application for social work continuing education credits has been submitted. Please contact Lorraine Kermond, lkermond@alz.org, for the status of social work CE accreditation.

Preventing Respiratory Illness

As people get older, their immune systems can change and weaken over time, which can increase the risk for complications from respiratory illnesses. Older adults are also more likely to have underlying health conditions which may increase the risk further. Most deaths from respiratory viruses occur in people older than 65, with risk increasing sharply with advancing age. 

The following are essential practices recommended for everyone to reduce their risk of getting sick with a respiratory illness:

• Stay up to date with recommended immunizations. Talk to your doctor or trusted healthcare provider about what may be recommended for you and your family.
• Practice good hygiene like washing your hands regularly and cleaning commonly touched surfaces.
• Take steps for cleaner air as possible in places where people live and work.
• When sick with a respiratory illness:
• Use precautions to prevent spread. Stay home and away from others.
• Seek health care promptly for treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness; treatment may help lower your risk of severe illness.

Messaging Brain Health: Public Health Strategies for Dementia Risk Reduction

Thursday, December 11

3 - 4 p.m. ET

Public health professionals are invited to join an upcoming webinar hosted by the BOLD Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Risk Reduction on public health messaging around brain health. The webinar will feature a panel discussion and showcase a new toolkit to help public health agencies create and disseminate culturally responsive messaging campaigns. If you have any questions, please contact publichealth@alz.org.

During this free webinar, participants will:

• Understand how communicating effectively is a key strategy to increase knowledge and awareness about dementia risk reduction.
• Learn how to apply key components of a new toolkit for public health agencies to understand your community’s needs and identify opportunities to promote brain health.
• Hear health department leaders share their experiences crafting and implementing awareness campaigns in their states.

Tips for Staying Safe in Winter for Individuals Living with a Dementia and Their Cargivers

Freezing temperatures, snow, ice and early darkness can be challenging and stressful for people living with dementia and their care partners. Here are some safety tips for navigating the winter season:

• Monitor weather: Check weather conditions regularly and have contingency plans in place. If a snowstorm is expected, consider rescheduling appointments that are not urgent. Postpone errands or tackle to-do lists in one trip to avoid making multiple trips out of the house.
• Dress warmly: People with dementia won’t always remember to dress appropriately for colder weather, so it’s important to help make sure they’re wearing the right clothes. Layers are key to keeping warm, and the best materials for maintaining body heat are cotton, wool, or fleecy fibers. Cover as much exposed skin as possible. Dress in bright colors and add reflective material to clothing.
• Prevent slips: Balance and mobility can be a challenge for a person living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia - so assume all surfaces are slick. Perception problems can make it difficult for them to see ice on sidewalks. They may not recall that ice is slippery or that snow is not a solid surface. Keep sidewalks and driveways clear and utilize handrails when available or walk arm-in-arm. Non-skid boots or shoes are best. Footwear and outerwear that uses Velcro instead of laces or buttons/snaps can make it easier for a person with dementia to dress themselves.
• Encourage regular movement: Keeping active can help to boost circulation and help keep us warm. It’s a good idea to encourage a person living with dementia to move around at least once an hour. If walking is difficult or extreme weather conditions make it hard to go outside, simply getting them to move their arms and legs, or wiggling their toes can be helpful.
• Prevent wandering: Wandering is one of the most frequent and challenging problems that caregivers face and can be extremely dangerous in colder conditions. Childproof doorknobs or slide bolts installed on doors above or below typical placement can help deter wandering. Consider installing a doorbell camera or other outdoor monitoring device. If they do leave home, you'll be able to see what they were wearing and in what direction they were moving. If your loved one wanders and is not located quickly, call 911.
• Make daylight last: Some people with dementia may feel increased anxiety, confusion, and sleepiness due to the decreased sunlight in the winter months. Open curtains and shades during daylight hours. If possible, install full spectrum lightbulbs to simulate sunlight.
• Stay hydrated: Keeping warm uses up a lot of energy, and a warm house can increase the risk of dehydration. It’s important to make sure someone with dementia is eating regular meals and drinking enough water during the winter.