Caregiver Resources

In-home Health Aides:

Healing Touch for Dementia

Healing Touch is a gentle, non-invasive, non-pharmacologic treatment that initiates relaxation. As a person becomes calmer and more relaxed, anxiety and stress are reduced, pain is relieved, the immune system improves, blood pressure is lowered, agitation decreases and wound healing improves. Using slow movements and gentle touch, Healing Touch can make improvements to a person’s quality of life physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
Healing Touch and Therapeutic Touch for Dementia.
Healing Touch and Therapeutic Touch for Dementia.

Laura Fairweather NBC-HWC, CHTP
Healing Touch and Health and Wellness Coaching
Envision You 
www.envisionyouwell.com
Envisionyou@comcast.net
612-202-0408

Caregivers Need Care Too

Caregivers who are taking care of loved ones with dementia need care too. Read about some tips to ensure that you as a caregiver are giving yourself some care too!
Also, communicating with a loved one suffering from dementia can be a daunting task some days, and you might find yourself running out of patience. For some tips on how to improve communications with a dementia patient:

FamilyMeans Caregiver Respite Program:

Please contact Dianne Vierling, Volunteer Coordinator, for respite information or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer for respite. dvierling@familymeans.org or 651-789-4055. More information on both virtual and in-home respite programs provided by FamilyMeans volunteers and organized by the Caregiving and Aging staff:
Other FamilyMeans programs that provide both socialization for people with dementia and respite for caregivers:

FamilyMeans Caregiver Resources:

Find more resources for caregiving from the Caregiving & Aging team at FamilyMeans.

Caregiving Tips and Topics:

FamilyMeans Caregiving & Aging short segments about timely topics to help you with your immediate caregiving questions and needs:

Some important, simple tips to remember when caring for someone with dementia.

1. Meet them where they are at. Don’t try to change their perception of things. To them, it is real and it is their reality! Don’t argue..you won’t change their minds and both of you will become frustrated. 

2. They have difficulty initiating tasks. Support their efforts and offer suggestions. If they don’t want suggestions, let them go with their idea. Remember, safety is one of the times you will intervene.

3. Play along if you can. You would be surprised what they say.