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.

Getting the Caregiving Help You Need From Family and Friends

"We need to make it right before it goes wrong."

What a wonderful expression! The phrase gives you permission to say, "I need your help."

Yes, it is true that some people, even without your asking, will be more than happy to volunteer their time. However, an uncommitted "Call if you need anything" is not the same as "What do you need? Tell me what I can do to help you."

Many family and friends, perhaps not understanding the responsibilities and challenges you face, will require a little prodding. A good approach is to organize an informal gathering with your family and perhaps a few friends. Lunch or light refreshments may prevent conversation from becoming confrontational. Use video conferencing to include, and to the get input from, those family members who do not live nearby. 

Give examples of what they can do for you and for the loved one you have in common. A request for respite – just a few hours per week – is a good place to start. Explain you need time to relax, to take care of your health and well-being, to socialize with friends, to enjoy a little solitude as well as time to catch-up on lost sleep. 

While you will appreciate their gift of time, there are many other ways your family can make things easier for you. A sibling who does not live nearby can manage your loved one’s finances. Family, friends, and even nearby neighbors can buy groceries, do the laundry, or take responsibility for such things as car, house, or yard maintenance. 

Ask that a family member or a friend accompany you and your loved one to doctor appointments or other places where you anticipate having behavioral difficulties. A promise of going out to lunch after his or her doctor appointment can improve everyone’s mood. 

Use a calendar and sign-up sheet to free yourself from having to think about day-to-day management details. Exchange contact information to make communication as easy as possible. Consider designating a person to be the point of contact. Think about using an online app or website like www.lotsahelpinghands.com.

A few words to caregivers – don’t be a stoic. Accept help! Promises aside, it’s more important to be a good caregiver and not an irritable, exhausted, and burnt-out caregiver.

A few words to family members – don’t assume one person can shoulder all the responsibilities and challenges of caring for the loved one you have in common. It’s unfair and will create ill feelings. Make yourself available even if he or she claims they neither need nor want your assistance. It’s also important that you tell your family member that you appreciate his or her efforts – a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant or for a rejuvenating massage is another way to express your gratitude. Call or e-mail often - but
not too often or at inconvenient times. In addition to inquiring about your loved one, be sure to ask your family member about their general well-being. Be an empathetic and supportive listener. 

And to caregivers, family members and friends - the most important words you can say to one another are "Thank you."

Janet Yagoda Shagam, PhD, is a freelance medical and science writer and the author of “An Unintended Journey: A Caregiver's Guide to Dementia.” Available through Amazon. 

The opinions expressed by contributing authors are not necessarily the opinions of the Dementia Society, Inc. We do not endorse nor guarantee products, comments, suggestions, links, or other forms of 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. www.DementiaSociety.org