This month we're pleased to hear from Beka Dowhy of the Caregiving Support Network! We know you'll be touched as she shares her impactful story of caring for her mom. Beka also shares the heart behind Caregiving Support Network, a wonderful nonprofit organization doing beautiful work. They're a valuable resource for family caregivers by providing practical and faith-based support. Caregiving Support Network is one of our valued partners!
Introduce yourself and share about your background. How did you come to be a part of the caregiving world?
My name is Beka Dowhy and I founded a nonprofit ministry called the Caregiving Support Network in 2022. I was involved in my Mom’s care from when I was a little girl. My Mom was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis the year I was born and my earliest memories are of her...
Can you imagine the holidays without music? I think it would feel like a giant missing puzzle piece! I will admit, sometimes hearing the same songs over and over throughout the holiday season can get annoying, and by the time January 1 rolls around, I’m ready to take a nice long 47-week break from holiday music. But truly, stop and ponder for a moment, what would the holidays be like without the sounds of the season?
A beautiful transformation takes place during the holiday season. Twinkling lights and other decorations pop up everywhere, festive smells fill the air, and the spirit of togetherness warms our hearts. Amidst this magical ambiance, music emerges as a powerful force that contributes to the special feel of the holidays. I think it’s safe to say, music plays a big role this time of year. Let’s explore several reasons why.
Setting the Atmosphere
There’s no denying the transformative power of music in setting the holiday atmosphere. From the...
This month, we had the pleasure of hearing from Isabel Tom, a mom, wife, daughter, and retired granddaughter, who shares her intergenerational living experience. Isabel is author of "The Value of Wrinkles: A Young Perspective on How Loving the Old will Change Your Life." With her unique perspective she loves encouraging and equipping families, faith communities, and senior care providers to value the older generation more. Isabel grew up in a multigenerational household and took part in caring for my her paternal grandparents, "Mama" and "Yeye" who lived to 98 and 102 and cared for her dad who lived to 69. Professionally, she's worked in the senior living and the hospice care field. Learn more here: The Value of Wrinkles
There’s magic that happens when we bring the young and old together. Intergenerational relationships, however, don’t always happen naturally.
I grew up living in the same house as my grandparents. We were...
This month, we had the pleasure of hearing from Carrie Aalberts, aka "Dementia Darling." Carrie is a delightful human who is passionate about empowering dementia caregivers by sharing education and resources. She supports caregivers by being a positive, uplifting voice of encouragement, spreading love and compassion to those who find themselves in a dementia caregiver role. Make sure to visit @dementiadarling on Instagram and give her a follow!
Hi All, it’s Dementia Darling and I am absolutely thrilled to share something that has been close to my heart and promises to be a game-changer for the dementia community!! Let me introduce you to the much-anticipated release of “Dementia Divas!”
“Dementia Divas” is not your typical TV show; it’s a monumental leap forward in our journey to create a more empathetic and understanding world for those touched by dementia! At its core, this show is an extraordinary platform for...
This month, we’re pleased to feature a guest post from Lee Mohler & Robin Andrews Smith from You & Me Aging and Dementia Coaching. In 2005, Robin and Lee began the important work of helping family caregivers and their loved ones successfully manage late-life transitions. They serve their clients by providing invaluable resources, support, education, insight, advocacy, and more to care partners of individuals living with dementia or dealing with challenges associated with aging. They help those caring for an aging loved one find clarity, make decisions, and live guilt-free leading to life-changing hope and relief! Learn more here: You & Me Aging and Dementia Coaching
The Healing Power of Music for Caregivers and Their Loved One
In the world of caregiving, where love, dedication, and compassion merge, music emerges as an invaluable companion. For both caregivers and the people they care for, music possesses a unique ability to...
This month we had the pleasure of hearing from Patti LaFleur, former care partner for her Mom. Her story of caring for her mom is powerful, and we know you'll be touched.
Introduce yourself and share about your background. How did you come to be a part of the caregiving world?
I am the former care partner for my Mom, Linda, who had younger-onset mixed dementia. I cared for my Mom for three years in my home after my Dad was no longer able to care for her as her health declined. He ended up getting diagnosed with Vascular Dementia, which required me to provide care for him as well. He moved into an assisted living facility and I provided “long-distance care” to my Dad, while caring for my Mom in her home. My Dad passed in November 2021 and my Mom passed in March 2022, a month after a magical trip to Disneyland. We shared fun, love and joy together every day.
My Mom and I were meant to be. She adopted me and I reciprocated that love back to my Mom as her care partner....
A caregiver support consultant is a key person to have in your corner on your caregiving journey. This month, we're pleased to feature a guest post from Bill Cohen of Cohen Caregiving Support Consultants. Bill offers an invaluable and much-needed service to caregivers by providing resources and support, guiding them through tough decisions. He is extremely knowledgeable and draws from first-hand experience, having been his mother’s caregiver. In addition, he is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA). Having known him for 6 years, I've gotten to see how he connects with others, how much he CARES and the wealth of knowledge/resources he offers.
Introduce yourself and share a little about your background and how you came to be a part of the caregiving world.
Hi, I’m Bill Cohen. I am a caregiver support group leader and speaker, an Alzheimer's Association volunteer, a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®, and the owner of Cohen Caregiving Support...
An estimated 6.5 million Americans age 65 and older are currently living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. This number is projected to more than double by 2050. Worldwide, an estimated 54 million people are living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias (2022 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures). These numbers are staggering, and there’s currently no straightforward cure, but there are ways to combat decline, slow degeneration, and improve quality of life.
At Bridgetown Music Therapy, our main focus is the modality of music to improve a person’s wellbeing. Music can engage and positively affect individuals cognitively, emotionally, physically, spiritually, socially and more. This can lead to outcomes such as partially or temporarily restoring language and communication, sparking memories, and reducing stress or anxiety. Music is not the only way to engage a person and enrich their life though. Many other engaging activities and therapies exist that...
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