Caring for a parent or a loved one can quickly become time-consuming and overwhelming. This doesn’t take away from how much you love the person. It just means that you’ve been thrust into a new role, and you may not have the knowledge or resources to provide the level of long-term care your loved one needs… or even to navigate the complex system of services and supports.
Developed in 2000, our Family Caregiver Support Program assists informal caregivers with information, training, and supplemental services. We provide long-term care choices, consumer protection and education, so that you can help your loved one achieve the highest possible quality of life. We have Medicaid, non-Medicaid, and community programming available to help support family caregivers.
Theresa Niewiadomski, LSW, Family Caregiver Support Specialist, and Certified Caregiver Consultant leads the DHAD Family Caregiver Support Program and is available to support you during this difficult time. Theresa can be reached by phone at 330-899-5243 or email at tniewiadomski@dhad.org.
Complete an online Caregiver Support Referral
To access our full services and support, simply call the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 877-770-5558. You can request a long-term care consultation, where we will assess your loved one for placement with services such as:
- Personal care aids
- Homemaker services
- Emergency response system (ERS)
- Home-delivered meals
The Annual Caregiver Connection is back!
This year's th
eme is "The Power of Positivity" and we are packed with useful information, resources, and of course giveaways galore.
Motivational keynote speaker Todd Bertsch and host of The Bolt podcast will share how positivity can improve both mental and physical health.
Chiropractor Dr. Craig Longworth will show us how just 35 minutes per week can support memory, reduce our risk of dementia, lower stress levels, and so much more.
Laughter on Call (virtual presentation) will share how humor can help us through the tough situations caregivers encounter.
Plus, free smart plugs and sensors available to help us keep our loved ones safe from afar.
Event is FREE to attend, registration required. For more information and to register, CLICK HERE
**NEW** Family Caregiver Noontime Knowledge Series
We are excited to bring you our newest offering in supporting our Family Caregivers. Beginning in January, each month we will have topics and information that are important to you. Bring a lunch and hear from speakers who are experts in their field, connect with new resources, enjoy some stress relieving activities, and be among other caregivers who understand your ups and downs.
WHEN: the 2nd Tuesday of each month 11:00 am-12:00 pm with optional time after for Q&A
WHERE: Direction Home Akron Canton (1949 Town Park Blvd., Uniontown) ~~OR~~ Virtually on Zoom
SCHEDULE OF TOPICS:
August 12th: Understanding Family Dysfunction
1.0 CEU: Social Workers, Nurses, Licensed Counselors
Anticipatory grief is the emotional pain and mourning people may experience before an expected loss, such as the slow decline of a loved one due to chronic illness or aging. For family caregivers, recognizing and acknowledging anticipatory grief is crucial because it helps make sense of the complex mix of emotions—sadness, guilt, anger, anxiety, even relief—that often accompany caregiving. By naming this grief, caregivers can begin to process their feelings, seek support, and build emotional resilience, rather than feeling overwhelmed or isolated by emotions they don’t fully understand.
CLICK HERE for more information and to register
September 9th: Mindful Caregivers (and those who support them): Build Resilience to Stress with Mindfulness
THIS SESSION IS VIRTUAL **ONLY**
1.0 CEU: Social Workers, Nurses, Licensed Counselors
How many people wonder what it is like to live 100% in the moment, fully experiencing all the beauty and joy that each moment brings? Research has shown many benefits associated with practicing mindfulness such as improved sleep, attention, and life satisfaction. Who wouldn't want to live in a way that reduces pain, depression, and job burnout? Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to improve caregiver resilience to stress by giving them the tools needed to alter their response to stress. Practicing mindfulness is not rocket science, but it does take practice. During this workshop we will dispel some myths surrounding mindful practices, dive into data driven health benefits, and learn some real-world mindfulness techniques we can share with family caregivers helping them to cope with stress.
CLICK HERE for more information and to register
Missed a session or want to re-watch? CLICK HERE to go to our Caregiver Noontime Knowledge playlist on YouTube.
Support Groups:
Free for anyone to attend.
Led by Theresa Niewiadomski, LSW and certified Caregiving Consultant, or Kali Jobes, MSW. You'll receive resources and support to aid in your caregiving journey.
Virtual: Mondays at 1PM on Zoom (weekly)
In-person:
North Canton Library
185 N Main St
North Canton 44720
Every third Tuesday of the month 1-2 PM
Akron-Summit Green Library
4046 Massillon Rd.
Uniontown 44685
Every first Wednesday of the month 2-3 PM
Stark Library --North Branch
189 25th St. NW
Canton, OH 44709
Every second Tuesday of the month 2-3:30 PM
Access to Independence
4960 S Prospect St
Ravenna, Ohio 44266
Every third Wednesday of the month 1-2pm (pending participation)
In-person support groups also available for caregivers of attendees at Catholic Charities Adult Day Center in Akron (Biruta St).
Registration required for any support group. Contact Theresa Niewiadomski at tniewiadomski@dhad.org // 330-899-5243, or Kali Jobes at kjobes@dhad.org // 330-776-4638.
I Care For/Want to Work for a Veteran
Active Daily Living: Web-Based Support
Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities has partnered with Active Daily Living to help Seniors and Family Caregivers with free, personalized advice to enhance health, independence, and aging-in-place. Contact Theresa (330-899-5243 / tniewiadomski@dhad.org) to learn more.
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