Clear Guidance, LLC

CLEAR GUIDANCE SUPPORT GROUP FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH YOUNG ONSET DEMENTIA Get the support you need. Meet others for supportive, meaningful discussions. The group meets in person or virtually, whatever is more convenient for you, the first Tuesday of every month from 10:30am-12:00pm. For more information, please call Clear Guidance at 339-777-5919. #YoungOnset #Dementia #Support #ClearGuidance

CAREGIVER SUPPORT AND EDUCATION "Caring for someone with early onset Alzheimer’s disease can be physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding. It’s essential for caregivers to prioritize their own well-being and seek support when needed. Some resources and strategies for caregivers include: *Educating themselves about the disease and its progression *Joining a support groups or online communities for caregivers *Seeking respite care services to take breaks and recharge *Delegating tasks to other family members or friends *Utilizing adult day care or in-home care services *Practicing self-care through exercise, hobbies, and social activities *Seeking professional counseling or therapy if needed Remember, taking care of yourself is not selfish—it’s essential for providing the best possible care for your loved one." To read the full article, "Supporting Caregivers of Young-Onset Dementia Patients: Tips and Resources" by Discover Health, please click here https://lnkd.in/eFs8qqrn #YoungOnset #CaregiverSupport

TAMMY POZERYCKI, CLEAR GUIDANCE CARE MANAGER and DEMENTIA EDUCATOR, will be presenting a CE presentation for nurses and social workers at The Reservoir Center for Health and Rehabilitation in Marlborough on Thursday, March 20 4:00-5:30pm. Ms. Pozerycki is an established thought-leader in dementia care with 25 years of experience working with people living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia, their families, and healthcare professionals. Ms. Pozerycki holds a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and her primary discipline was as a licensed social worker. She holds credentials as a Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer; Certified First Responder Dementia Trainer; and Certified Dementia Practitioner through the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners. Ms. Pozerycki is also a Certified Online Training Professional. All participants will be entered to win a $300 Amazon Gift Card!!! RSVP by Friday, March 14 to Jessica Costa, [email protected] or 508.683.9007

SAD CASE OF THE YOUNGEST PERSON EVER DIAGNOSED WITH ALZHEIMER'S "The male teenager began experiencing memory decline around age 17, and the cognitive losses only worsened over the years. Imaging of the patient's brain showed shrinkage in the hippocampus, which is involved in memory, and his cerebrospinal fluid hinted at common markers of this most common form of dementia. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is often thought of as an old person's ailment, and yet early-onset cases, which include patients under the age of 65, account for up to 10 percent of all diagnoses. Almost all patients under 30 years of age can have their Alzheimer's explained by pathological gene mutations, putting them into the category of familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD). The younger a person is when they receive a diagnosis, the more likely it is the result of a faulty gene they've inherited. Yet researchers at the Capital Medical University in Beijing couldn't find any of the usual mutations responsible for the early onset of memory loss, nor any suspect genes when they performed a genome-wide search." To read the full article by Carly Cassella for ScienceAlert online, please visit https://buff.ly/BDyYuZr #YoungOnset #Alzheimers

TAMMY POZERYCKI, CLEAR GUIDANCE CARE MANAGER and DEMENTIA EDUCATOR, will be presenting a CE presentation for nurses and social workers at The Reservoir Center for Health and Rehabilitation in Marlborough on Thursday, March 20 4:00-5:30pm. Ms. Pozerycki is an established thought-leader in dementia care with 25 years of experience working with people living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia, their families, and healthcare professionals. Ms. Pozerycki holds a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and her primary discipline was as a licensed social worker. She holds credentials as a Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer; Certified First Responder Dementia Trainer; and Certified Dementia Practitioner through the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners. Ms. Pozerycki is also a Certified Online Training Professional. RSVP by Friday, March 14 to Jessica Costa, [email protected] or 508.683.9007

Tammy Pozerycki, Clear Guidance Care Manager and Dementia Educator, recently appeared on "The Topic Podcast" with Cathleen Liberty, MPH Director of Public Health for the town of Franklin, MA. As part of Franklin's Healthy Brain Initiative, Tammy was invited to speak about Alzheimer's and Dementia. To listen to the 36 minute audio of the podcast, please click here https://buff.ly/PtRNFvI (please give about 8 seconds for the audio to start) #Alzheimers #Dementia #TownOfFranklin #ClearGuidance

10 WAYS TO BE KIND TO DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS A few kind words can make someone’s day when they’re dealing with the stress of caregiving. You’d be surprised how a few simple changes in the way you phrase things can make all the difference! Here are 10 phrases to avoid – and to start using – to positively influence caregivers. 1. “You should…” INSTEAD: “You’re doing a tremendous job!" 2. “Caregiving was handled very differently when (so and so) had dementia.” INSTEAD: “I’m sure caregiving is very difficult and would be a challenge for anyone.” 3. “If it’s hard for you, then why don’t you just put your (mom, spouse, etc.) in a nursing home?” INSTEAD: “I can see how hard this is for you, and I so appreciate and admire what you are doing." 4. “You look really tired; you really need to take care of yourself.” INSTEAD: Help them in practical ways. Offer to cook some healthy meals. Take a night shift so they can have uninterrupted sleep. 5. “I just couldn’t do what you’re doing because my life is too busy with other responsibilities.” INSTEAD: “I know you are making a lot of changes in your life to care for our mom." 6. (In a familial caregiving situation) “There’s always one person in the family who does the caregiving — you’re just that person.” INSTEAD: "Let’s set up a schedule and come up with ways that I can take on more care responsibilities.” 7. “You are a saint.” INSTEAD: “Thank you for what you are doing – it must be very challenging at times, but you keep forging ahead, and I admire you for that." 8. “Well, at least they’ve (person with dementia) had a long life.” INSTEAD: “It’s always painful to watch someone you love suffer or change, or to lose them – at any age. I imagine this is very difficult for you.” 9. “Isn’t caring for your aging parents just like raising children?” INSTEAD: “I appreciate the way you respect and support your parents as they age, and can understand the challenges of seeing them change over time.” 10. “Just let me know if you need anything,” or “Let me know how I can help.” INSTEAD: “I’d be happy to come stay with (person living with dementia) for a while so you can have a break. How about next Saturday?” To read the full article by Kara Jacobsen, Alzheimer's San Diego online, please click here https://buff.ly/bQQE33F #Caregiver #Alzheimers #Dementia

TAMMY POZERYCKI, CLEAR GUIDANCE CARE MANAGER and DEMENTIA EDUCATOR, will be presenting a CE presentation for nurses and social workers at The Reservoir Center for Health and Rehabilitation in Marlborough on Thursday, March 20 4:00-5:30pm. Ms. Pozerycki is an established thought-leader in dementia care with 25 years of experience working with people living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia, their families, and healthcare professionals. Ms. Pozerycki holds a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and her primary discipline was as a licensed social worker. She holds credentials as a Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer; Certified First Responder Dementia Trainer; and Certified Dementia Practitioner through the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners. Ms. Pozerycki is also a Certified Online Training Professional. RSVP by Friday, March 14 to Jessica Costa, [email protected] or 508.683.9007

AM I JUST GETTING OLDER? HOW TO RECOGNIZE DEMENTIA WARNING SIGNS VS NORMAL AGING. What should you do if you see warning signs? If you notice any signs of dementia in yourself or in a loved one, experts said, your first step should be seeing your primary care physician. “One of the things I would say is, ‘If you are worried, talk to your doctor,’ said Dr. Sudha Seshadri — the founding director of the Alzheimer’s and neurodegenerative diseases institute at UT Health San Antonio". In some cases, the person showing cognitive changes could have a different underlying issue, such as a urinary tract infection, which can cause older adults to appear tired and confused. Some primary care doctors have a lot of experience with aging and dementia, but patients can also ask about seeing a geriatrician, neurologist or psychiatrist. If a patient is exhibiting signs of dementia, early diagnosis could mean access to treatment or enrollment in clinical trials. Typically, those are not an option for people whose dementia has progressed past the early stages. And, importantly, early diagnosis means the patient can make their own decisions about how they’d like to be cared for and treated down the line. To read the full article from MSN online by Emily Brindley of The Dallas Morning News, please click here https://buff.ly/41dHbxP #Dementia #ClearGuidance

CLEAR GUIDANCE IS EXCITED TO WELCOME CLO COTTRELL TO OUR TEAM! Ms. Cottrell is a care manager and social worker with over 15 years of expertise in healthcare. Dedicated to supporting clients at every step, Ms. Cottrell prioritizes their preferences, strengths, and unique life stories. With a blend of compassion, expertise, creativity and strategic guidance, Ms. Cottrell helps individuals and families navigate life’s most challenging transitions with dignity and peace of mind. Ms. Cottrell specializes in supporting aging adults, dependent adults, and individuals with disabilities to make informed decisions that promote dignity, well-being, and optimal quality of life. She brings particular expertise in care for adults with Down syndrome, autism, intellectual disabilities, and aging-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. During her eight years with Massachusetts General Hospital’s Down Syndrome Program, Ms. Cottrell provided comprehensive life span support to individuals, families and care partners, including co-occurring mental health conditions, dementia, and aging-related challenges. Her collaborative approach simplifies care processes, alleviates concerns, and empowers families to face challenges with confidence and clarity. As a Certified Dementia Care Partner and National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices Affiliated Regional Trainer, Ms. Cottrell offers specialized guidance on dementia care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She provides in-service training, workshops, and care planning to help families and care teams deliver informed, compassionate support. WELCOME CLO! To learn more about Clo and the Clear Guidance team, please visit https://buff.ly/3KtS865