Issue 25
Featured
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Michigan Kinship Care Conference

Friday, Oct 15 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Share stories, hear from panelists, and learn how to be empowered as a kinship caregiver. Conference is free and virtual.
Guardianships & Conservatorships

Free Webinar
Oct 14 @ 1:00 pm (Eastern)

There may come a time when a loved one with Alzheimer’s requires a guardian or conservator. Learn about the process, responsibilities, benefits and alternatives with attorney Matthew Raphan, a partner at Raphan Law Partners. Presented by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.
Caregiver Website by a Current Caregiver
Kanu "KC" Mehta has been caring full-time for his wife, Sumi, since she was diagnosed with dementia in 2013. KC now has his own website MyJourneyWithSumi.com with resources, KC's caregiving story, tips from experience, and media interviews. Take a look to know you are not alone.
Were You Scammed?

SAFE Counseling Could Help

Successful Aging thru Financial Empowerment (SAFE) provides free financial coaching to older adults and caregivers to help them manage money securely and accurately. If you've been a victim of fraud or exploitation let SAFE help you try to recover your money.

Schedule an appointment with Program Director LaToya Hall by phone or computer now: l.hall@wayne.edu or 313-664-2608. Assistance is safe, confidential and free. Brochure

Worried you might be vulnerable to financial exploitation?
Events & Activities
Created with caregivers in mind, this free series of online events will present valuable information and introduce resources that can help with the special challenges involved in caregiving. HAP and several community partners provide useful resources. Spots are limited so register now.
 
Thursday, Oct 7 / 9 - 10:30 am
Thursday, Oct 21 / 9 - 10:30 am
Thursday, Nov 4 / 9 - 10:30 am
Thursday, Nov 18 / 9 - 10:30 am
Caregiving for People with Dementia: Respite, Support and Resources

November 16 from 1:00 - 2:30pm
 
Learn about free and low-cost resources and support for you as you give care, including respite programs when you need a break. In partnership with the U-M Turner Senior Wellness Program, Wellness Initiative Director Laura Rice-Oeschger, LMSW, will present with Silver Club Memory Program Director Shannon Etcheverry, LMSW. A virtual presentation.

Free Virtual Programs for Caregivers
Henry Ford’s C.A.R.E. Program provides virtual support for family caregivers and the community. The program offers a variety of FREE classes to help you — the caregiver — and the person you care for. Topics include:

  • Self-Care
  • Low-Cost Strategies to Improve Independence
  • Caring for a Veteran, and more.

An investigation into the practices of Care.com, the country’s largest matching site for caregivers, babysitters and nannies raises serious questions for anyone who needs to hire help to care for a loved one.

Family caregivers open their hearts when caregiving for ailing loved ones. They often open their wallets, too. Here are a few ways to recover the financial costs of caregiving.
Caregivers Needed for Research Studies
COVID-19 Coping and Resilience Care Partners Study (CARE)
 
This study investigates experiences among couples living with dementia during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic to learn more about ways to help both partners live well together. The study is looking for couples (married or living together) residing in Michigan in which one partner has received a diagnosis of dementia within about 5 years or has early symptoms of dementia. For more information, contact the study team at C19carepartners@umich.edu or 734-232-4565. 
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The STYLE: Caregiving during COVID Study
 
Help us understand your dementia caregiving experience during the COVID-19 pandemic and how the pandemic and shelter-in-place policies impact caregivers’ mental health and health services use. Study is recruiting primary caregivers for a friend or family member with a diagnosis of dementia. Contact Amanda Leggett and the COVID STYLE team at covidstyle@med.umich.edu or 734-623-9911. This study is entirely virtual (online survey and Zoom/phone) and takes approximately 2 hours.
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Identifying Factors Predicting End-of-Life in Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Promoting Quality End-of Life Experiences
 
This study aims to understand what changes might predict the end of life in people living with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). This information will help patients, caregivers, families, and health care professionals know what to expect in later stages of DLB. We are enrolling individuals with at least moderate stage DLB and their main caregiver, and the caregiver must be able to answer questionnaires related to the DLB and caregiver experience. Study is conducted via Zoom or by phone. Contact Kelly Mattingly at mattinke@med.umich.edu or 734-223-9297 for more information.
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WeCareAdvisor: A Web-Based Tool to Improve Quality of Life for Military Veterans with Dementia and their Caregivers
 
This study is seeking caregivers to test the WeCareAdvisor, a web-based tool to help users learn about and manage behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia like wandering, repeated questioning, anger, depression or apathy. We are looking for participants who have access to a computer or mobile device with internet and are also the primary in-home caregivers for a military Veteran living with dementia. This study does not require any in-person visits; it will be completely virtual. Contact Barbara Stanislawski at bstanisl@med.umich.edu or 734-232-0323.