By Amy Sheridan, Seasons Program Director
Caring for a family member with dementia is a demanding and often overwhelming responsibility. As cognitive decline progresses, caregivers must adapt to the changes in behavior, communication, and functional ability—often with little preparation or support. Consultation plays a critical role in equipping family caregivers with knowledge, coping strategies, and emotional support, ultimately improving outcomes for both the person with dementia and the caregiver.
Family caregivers frequently experience high levels of stress, grief, anxiety, and burnout. They may struggle with role changes, difficult behavioral symptoms, and the emotional pain of witnessing a loved one’s decline.
The staff at Seasons Adult Day Health Services are here to help you navigate through this new territory. The primary goal of consultation is to empower caregivers. This includes helping them understand dementia, anticipate disease progression, and develop realistic expectations. Consultation also aims to reduce caregiver burden by promoting problem-solving skills, enhancing coping strategies, and encouraging self-care. When caregivers feel informed and supported, they are better able to provide consistent, compassionate care while maintaining their own well-being.
Consultation may also include discussion in managing challenging behaviors like agitation, anxiety and more. We can go over situations that relate to each family’s personal experience.
Beyond education, consultation provides a space for emotional processing. Caregivers often experience ambiguous loss—the grief associated with losing aspects of a loved one who is still physically present. In specific cases, referrals to a variety of Senior Services’ programs may be discussed.
If you are interested in scheduling a consultation to help you better understand and navigate a new dementia diagnosis, reach out to Amy Sheridan, Program Director at Seasons Adult Day Health Services at 989-633-3764.
