UW Program to Offer Information for Dementia Caregivers

After a dementia diagnosis has been given for a patient, what lies ahead -- immediately and long term -- for the caregiver?

These broad topics will be discussed in a Wyoming Dementia Together (WDT) two-part series Wednesday, Aug. 9, and Wednesday, Aug. 23. Jackson attorney Nancy Norton will present “Dementia: What, Why and How” in the first session and “Dementia: End of Life” in the second session.

WDT is a statewide, nonprofit caregiver network operating through the University of Wyoming’s Wyoming Center on Aging (WyCOA).

Norton has practiced law for more than 25 years and has been a Jackson resident for more than a decade. She specializes in estate planning and elder law matters, including strategies to protect assets, avoid probate and minimize taxes. She has a B.S. in economics from Boston College and a J.D. from New England Law in Boston.

WDT is a community of experienced professionals who partner with caregivers to provide free confidential information and support to those whose loved ones are living with dementia. The group meets by Zoom every other Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Programs feature a guest speaker and allow time for interaction from those who attend online.

The WyCOA WDT group includes dementia care professionals, licensed clinical social workers, physical and occupational therapists, and caregivers. The team began meeting in fall 2020.

For more information, go to the WDT Caregiver Network website.             

Other programs scheduled for the rest of the year, listed by date, topic and presenter, are:

-- Sept. 6: “Behavioral Challenges: Responding to Distress in Dementia,” Kyle Page.

-- Sept. 20: “Financial Considerations with a Dementia Diagnosis,” Cathy Carlisle.

-- Oct. 4: “Navigating a Dementia Diagnosis,” Dr. Tabitha Thrasher.

-- Oct. 18: “Life After a Dementia Diagnosis,” Carol Taylor and Dani Guerttman.

-- Nov. 1: “Tackling the Ethical Considerations of Dementia,” Taylor.

-- Nov. 15: “Peace, Love and Joy in the Holiday Season, Part 1,” Theresa Robinett.

-- Nov. 29: “Your Questions: Ask the Professional Support Team,” WDT team members.

-- Dec. 13: “Peace, Love and Joy in the Holiday Season, Part 2,” Taylor.

For information about registering for Zoom calls and the other free services offered by WDT, call WyCOA at (307) 766-2829 or email wycoa@uwyo.edu.