The Family Tapestry: Navigating Relationships and Roles in Dementia Care  

*** Free In-person event ***
Location: The Bristal Assisted Living at Lake Success
69 N. Service Rd., Lake Success, NY 11020

General course, 2 CE credits available (free)

Course Description: What a family looks like and how we feel about our family will look very different for each of us. For some, their family can be a primary source of relationship security. For others, their family could be a primary source of stress. Despite a family’s differences, there is usually a shared understanding that family members rely on each other for emotional, physical, and economic support. However, those experiencing greater stress or toxicity from family members may choose to seek community elsewhere. Despite all this, when someone in the family receives a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related illness, family members are often forced to reunite, pull their resources together, and figure out how to work as a team. Even the most high-functioning families often struggle to navigate the changes in dynamics and relationships when addressing the care needed for a relative. This general course aims to teach attendees about the various types of familial relationships and roles to then effectively evaluate dynamics through illustrative assessment tools such as genograms and ecomaps. These thorough assessments will help to meet a family’s overall goal of ensuring everyone works as a team to create meaningful living and quality of life for both the individual living with the illness as well as members of their care team. This in-person workshop is fully interactive. Attendees may ask and answer questions throughout the presentation and participate in instructor-led discussions, as well as case vignette discussions.

From this course attendees will be able to:

1. Define familial roles and relationship dynamics.  
2. Describe how dementia-related illnesses can impact family dynamics.
3. Utilize assessment tools when evaluating familial strengths and challenges.
4. Apply strategies to improve communication and collaboration among family members.

Agenda

5:00pm – 5:30pm – Dinner and brief presentation from our sponsor

5:30pm – 7:40pm – Workshop (10 minute break included)

• 5:30 – 5:40 – Welcome and Introductions – Course overview, learning objectives, and opening discussion
• 5:40 – 6:00 – Understanding Family Dynamics – Family structures, roles, relationships, and sources of support and stress
• 6:00 – 6:20 – The Impact of Dementia on Family Relationships – Changing roles, caregiver responsibilities, conflict, and emotional challenges
• 6:20 – 6:30 – Interactive Discussion – Exploring family dynamics through shared experiences and examples
• 6:30 – 6:40 – 10-minute break
• 6:40 – 7:05 – Assessing Family Strengths and Challenges – Introduction to genograms and ecomaps as assessment tools
• 7:05 – 7:25 – Promoting Communication and Collaboration – Strategies for navigating conflict, establishing shared goals, and supporting family-centered care
• 7:25 – 7:35 – Case Vignette & Group Discussion – Applying assessment tools and strategies to complex family dynamics
• 7:35 – 7:40 – Key Takeaways, Questions & Closing

Sponsor: