Coping & Preparing: Dementia Care for Families and Caregivers

On September 12, 2024, Crusading Outreach Ministry Inc., in partnership with Pearl Bailey Library, hosted a special event titled “Coping & Preparing for Dementia.” Led by Elder Deloris Pettaway, this insightful session provided attendees with essential knowledge on dementia care, legal preparations, and caregiver support strategies. It is vital that we be proactive in understanding and preparing for dementia, both for caregivers and family members.

Key Takeaways
1. Recognizing Early Signs of Dementia
Dementia is much more than just memory loss—it impacts many areas of life, including thinking, behavior, and communication. This event taught attendees how to recognize the early symptoms of dementia, such as confusion with time and place, difficulty with words, and changes in mood or personality. Early detection, as Elder Pettaway stressed, is vital for seeking timely medical care and support.


2. Legal Preparedness is Crucial
Tke steps to ensure that their loved one’s legal documents, such as powers of attorney and advance healthcare directives, are in place before the disease progresses. This event shared key legal documents that protect both the person with dementia and their family, helping avoid complicated legal issues later on.


3. Caregiver Stress and Self-Care Strategies
A core focus is caregiver self-care. Deloris shared practical tips on how caregivers can manage stress, take regular breaks, and seek emotional support to avoid burnout. Caring for yourself makes you better able to care for your loved ones.


4. Community Connection
The event also served as a reminder of the importance of building a support network. Attendees always have the opportunity to connect with one another, share experiences, and exchange advice on caregiving. This provides a powerful moment of community bonding that reinforces that no one has to navigate dementia care alone.

Dementia Caregiver Toolkit Available for Download
As part of the event, attendees are given our free Dementia Caregiver Toolkit, packed with essential resources for families and caregivers. This toolkit includes:

• A Checklist for Early Signs of Dementia to help monitor changes.
• A Legal Preparedness Guide covering key documents like power of attorney and advance healthcare directives.
• Self-care tips and strategies for managing caregiver stress.
• Guidance on making home safety modifications to ensure a safe living environment for your loved one.
• A comprehensive list of local and national support resources for dementia care.

Looking Ahead
For those who couldn’t attend, it’s not too late to access the valuable resources shared at the event. Download the Dementia Caregiver Toolkit below to equip yourself with practical insights and resources for caregiving.

Download our Dementia Preparedness Toolkit