Building Better Relationships with Families: A Simple Strategy for Professional Caregivers

Research shows that building better relationships with families can enhance professional caregiver job satisfaction and thus, quality of care. This discussion and participatory session will introduce professional caregivers to a simple strategy for connecting with families. Attendees will learn how to become “tour guides” for the journey through Alzheimer’s by learning how to help families ask and answer three simple questions:

• Who can I turn to for information and support?

• How can I prepare myself for this journey?

• How can I stay open to the gifts this experience has to offer?

What organizations are saying…

"Building Better Relationships with Families and Thinking Strategies for Caregivers were great concurrent sessions. Kathleen raised many questions that helped caregivers begin thinking about their own journey and the direction it is going."
- Lisa Sitzman, Director of Professional Education, 14th Annual Alzheimer’s Association – Big Sioux Chapter Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Education Conference (2006)

"Enjoyed your personal touch."
"Clear, fun and educational."
"Great humor and handouts."
- Comments from participants, The Alzheimer’s Association 16th Annual Symposium, Colorado Chapter (2006)

Legal and Financial Issues of Aging

Your loved one may have the capacity to manage his legal and financial affairs right now, but as disease and/or normal aging progresses, this may not continue to be the case. At some point, as caregiver you will likely have to act on behalf of your loved one. Advance planning is the key that allows you and your loved one to make decisions together now for whatever may come later. In this workshop, participants will learn how to turn to legal and financial specialists for information and support to address issues of aging, long-term illness and death. Topics to be covered include:

• an overview of legal capacity, advance medical and financial directives.

• how to pay for long-term care (Medicare and Medicaid) and protect assets.

• what to look for in an elder law attorney.

What Organizations are saying...

Over the past several years Kathleen Negri has been volunteering her valuable time and expertise to teach a class three times per year at the Colorado Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.  The session entitled Legal and Financial Issues of Aging is directed to people who have been diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer's disease or other related memory disorders and their family members.  Kathleen brings the important details and issues of legal and financial planning into scope for all attendees.  People who have some expertise in the area and those who are just beginning the process find hope and help in her class.   Kathleen assists attendees to define terms, sort through the myriad of legal care issues and set a workable plan in motion.   Delicately employing both expertise and compassion, Kathleen addresses the matter of capacity, while ensuring those in her audience feel the empowerment they need to plan and prepare for their individual futures.  We are pleased to acknowledge Kathleen's efforts to bring her own personal experience and professional expertise together to benefit those who need them.
-Vickie Mohr, Early Stage Service Manager, Colorado Chapter, Alzheimer's Association (2008).

Thinking Strategies for Family Caregivers

As you think about your caregiving role, ask the question: What can you do to prepare yourself for this journey? This workshop motivates participants to become more effective caregivers. Participants will learn methods to take control of the caregiving experience, including:

• the powerful connection between thoughts, feelings and outcomes.

• how to identify and overcome negative and unproductive thoughts and replace them with constructive and healthy thinking.

• how to create a more positive caregiving experience.

What organizations are saying…

"We appreciate your willingness to share your expertise, knowledge and wisdom in the workshop, "Thinking Strategies for Caregivers." The quality of your session made a positive impact on the success of the conference. Without you, we wouldn't be able to offer the comprehensive agenda we believe to be necessary for the growth and development of group respite programs.
- Carmen Mendieta, Director, Brookdale National Group Respite Program, 2008 Training Conference, The Brookdale Foundation Group (2008)

"Finally, a workshop that offers family caregivers practical and helpful tools to apply in all caregiving situations! Kathleen’s warm, engaging style and interactive format guide caregivers in the creation of a personalized blueprint for meaningful and positive caregiving outcomes. The sharing of her own caregiving journey, poignant and humorous, enables family caregivers to connect with and apply effective thinking strategies in every aspect of their own lives."
- Patti Auxier, Coordinator, Family Caregiver Support Center, Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging (November 2005)

"Kathleen Negri’s class was an innovative and participatory program that cut through advice and actually gave participants workable tools. Our surveys show that her humorous and thoughtful presentation was just the matter-of-fact information caregivers were seeking. They came away with a fresh approach that will make a difference in their lives and those for whom they are a caregiver."
- Janet Kolb, Regional Director, Colorado Chapter Alzheimer’s Association/Colorado Springs Regional Office (November 2005)

Schedule Kathleen Negri to speak at your next event!