The Changing Reality: A 5-Part Caregiver Series (Online)

The Changing Reality: A 5-Part Caregiver Series

As dementia progresses, a person’s perception, communication, behavior, and ability to navigate the world may change. This five-part caregiver series helps families understand the meaning behind these changes and respond with greater confidence, compassion, flexibility, and attention to safety.

Thursday, September 3 Part 1: When Reality Changes—Hallucinations and Delusions
Hallucinations and delusions can feel completely real to a person living with dementia. This class explains why these experiences may occur and offers practical approaches for reducing fear, avoiding unnecessary confrontation, and recognizing when symptoms may require medical evaluation.

Thursday, September 10 Part 2: When Words No Longer Match Reality
As dementia affects language and reasoning, a person’s words may become inaccurate, confusing, repetitive, or disconnected from what others observe. Participants will learn how to listen for the meaning or emotion behind the words and use communication strategies that preserve dignity and connection.

Thursday, September 17 Part 3: When Behaviors Make Sense
Behaviors that appear difficult or unpredictable are often attempts to communicate an unmet need, emotion, discomfort, or response to the environment. This class helps caregivers look beneath the behavior, identify possible triggers, and develop more effective, person-centered responses.

Thursday, September 24 Part 4: Creating Safety in a Changing Reality
Safety needs may change as dementia affects judgment, awareness, mobility, and decision-making. Participants will learn how to balance independence with protection, identify emerging risks, and make practical adjustments related to the home, wandering, driving, daily routines, and emergency planning.

Thursday, October 1 Part 5: The Changing Reality Caregiver Clinic
This interactive final session gives caregivers an opportunity to apply the concepts from the series to real-life situations. Through guided problem-solving, case examples, and group discussion, participants will develop individualized strategies for current challenges and leave with practical next steps.

Presented by: Lauren Weiss