5 Online Dementia-Help Programs You Can Access From Home

Now more than ever, accessing helpful Dementia resources from home is essential. With an internet connection, computer, and proverbial click of a button, you can discover many free and low-cost tools.

We’ve rounded up our top five favorite Dementia help trainings and video libraries designed to inform and comfort people living with Dementia and their caregivers. Discover more about them below, including what you’ll learn, the cost (if any), and how to watch.

(1) UCLA Caregiver Training Videos

This online dementia help video library by UCLA is geared for caregivers of people living with dementia. It covers a range of helpful topics that can make it easier to respond to common behaviors and scenarios. Each video comes with a written narrative featuring expert explanations and recommended caregiver responses.

What you’ll learn: This comprehensive Dementia help video library walks you through everyday challenges for people living with Dementia, such as alcohol abuse, driving, lack of eating and paranoid thoughts. Additional caregiver video topics include:

·         Bathing

·         Depression and apathy

·         Hallucinations

·         Home safety

·         Sleep disturbances

·         Taking medications

·         Repetitive behaviors

Cost: Free

How to watch: Browse UCLA’s online video library and select your desired topic. Most videos are available with multi-language subtitles, and English and Spanish audio.

(2) Morningside Ministries Caregiver Training Videos

Morningside Ministries is a San Antonio-based non-profit senior care organization dedicated to “caring for those who cared for us.” They provide care for more than 800 residents in assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation, retirement, and skilled nursing care. 

They’ve produced over 300 caregiver training videos since 2007, demonstrating its commitment to deliver quality and consistent resources.

What you’ll learn: Morningside Ministries features an extensive Dementia help video library on various caregiving topics ranging from finding elder care and combatting loneliness to music therapy and the latest Alzheimer’s research. 

The video, "The Difference Between Dementias," is particularly beneficial to help caregivers understand the top four types of dementia.

Cost: Free

How to watch: Browse the Morningside Ministries video library to explore featured and other dementia help videos by topic.

(3) Living with Dementia Five-Week Online Course

Johns Hopkins School of Nursing offers a free, five-week online Dementia help course on living with Dementia. It’s geared for health professionals and students, people living with Dementia, friends and family caregivers, and others interested in Dementia and quality care.

The course’s goal is to explore the global challenge of living with Dementia for individuals, their families, communities, and society.

What you’ll learn: Each of the five weeks in the course syllabus includes video segments and structured exercises and activities covering:

·         Week 1: The Brain
·         Week 2: The Person
·         Week 3: The Home and Family Environment
·         Week 4: The Caregiving Community
·         Week 5: Social and Policy Changes

Cost: Free to people who want access to the materials without earning a certificate. The fee is $49 for those who would like to earn a certificate upon course completion.

How to watch: Learn more about the dementia help course on the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing website and enroll at Coursera.org to access the videos.

(4) The Dementia Action Plan Workshop

Presented by founder and nationally recognized spokesperson, Kevin Jameson, this approximately one-hour Dementia help video is a recorded live talk filmed with a studio audience at the Philadelphia PBS® station affiliate, WHYY-TV.

What you’ll learn: This engaging Dementia help seminar covers what to know when dealing with Dementia, including straightforward and empowering steps for navigating life as a caregiver or the person living with Dementia.

Cost: Normally a $9.95 mission-related donation, but please be our special guest and use promo code "FREE" to watch at no cost.

How to watch: Click here to access this on-demand Dementia care planning workshop or contact us to request a free DVD.

(5) Dementia Unplugged ™ Webinars

Dementia Unplugged is a monthly educational and conversational webinar developed in cooperation with Jeannine Forrest, Ph.D., R.N. 

It offers dementia help and support for caregivers of people living with Dementia.

What you’ll learn: Covering topics such as housing and living options, caregiver grief, meaningful activities in the home, agitation triggers, and responding to hallucinations and delusions, Dementia Unplugged is a well-rounded Dementia help forum where audience participation is encouraged.

Cost: Free

How to watch: Register to access the monthly sessions via Zoom on the first Mondays of every month at 10 am CST.

Beyond the Dementia help videos and trainings featured on this list, you can find dozens of helpful dementia videos available on our YouTube channel at no cost. We also, invite you to browse our extensive collection of media on our website, including feature films and documentaries for caregivers and people living with dementia to enjoy from the comfort and safety of your home.

Keeping the Home Safe for Those Living With Dementia

Those living with Dementia often become less able to manage around the house as their condition progresses. For example, they may forget to turn off the oven or the water, how to use the phone during an emergency, which things around the house are dangerous, and where things are in their own home.

Prevention is key. It is more effective to change the person’s surroundings — for example, to remove dangerous items — than to try to change behaviors. Changing the home environment can give the person more freedom to move around independently and safely.

The National Institute on Aging provides these tips on creating a Dementia-safe home.

Simplify the Home

Get rid of clutter, too much furniture, exposed cords, and small throw rugs – anything that could lead to falls and injuries. Installing non-skid strips on floors can help. Shoes and slippers with good traction also help the person move around safely.

Minimize Danger by Addressing the Five Senses

Those living with Dementia may no longer accurately interpret what they see. Any objects – curtains or bedspreads, for example – that have busy patterns can cause confusion. Mark the edges of steps with brightly colored tape so people can see the steps as they go up or downstairs. Limit the size and number of mirrors, as they also can cause confusion.

People with Dementia may experience loss of touch or sensation, or may no longer be able to relate to feelings of heat, cold, or discomfort. Lower hot water heaters to 120 degrees to prevent burns. Put signs near the oven, toaster, iron, and other things that get hot. The sign could say, "Stop!" or "Don't Touch — Very Hot!" The person with Dementia should not use appliances without supervision.

A loss of or decrease in smell is common in people with Dementia. Check smoke detectors to make sure they are working properly, since those with Dementia may not be able to smell smoke. Also, check on refrigerated foods to make sure they have not spoiled.

People with Dementia may not taste as well as before. They also may place dangerous or inappropriate things in their mouths.  Put away or lock up things like toothpaste, lotions, shampoos, rubbing alcohol, soap, perfume, or laundry detergent pods. They may look and smell like food to a person with Dementia. Keep the Poison Control Center number (1-800-222-1222) by the phone.

Those living with Dementia may also lose their ability to interpret what they hear – even if they have normal hearing. This may result in confusion or over-stimulation. Don't play the TV or music too loudly, and don't play them at the same time. Loud music or too many different sounds may be too much for the person with Dementia to handle.

Click here for more on home safety and those living with some form of Dementia.

Source: National Institute on Aging

The opinions expressed by contributing authors are not necessarily the opinions of the Dementia Society, Inc. We do not endorse or guarantee products, comments, suggestions, links, or other forms of the content contained within blog posts that have been provided to us with permission, or otherwise. Dementia Society does not provide medical advice. Please consult your doctor.