UW-Led Wyoming Dementia Together Offers Program Advocating for Loved Ones Feb. 11

“Partners in Care: The Power of Family Advocacy in our Health Care System” is the topic of a Wyoming Dementia Together (WDT) program Wednesday, Feb. 11.

WDT is a statewide, nonprofit caregiver network operating through the University of Wyoming’s Wyoming Center on Aging (WyCOA). WDT meets by Zoom call every other Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. The free online programs feature guest speakers and allow time for interaction from those who attend online.

Caregivers for loved ones living with dementia face many challenges, perhaps none more significant than serving as advocates while negotiating the health care system, according to Carol Taylor, a licensed clinical social worker in Jackson, who specializes in geriatric care. She will facilitate a discussion outlining strategies for caregivers serving as patient advocates.

“It can be intimidating and a little scary, trying to provide the best care possible for our loved ones living with dementia,” Taylor says. “This is especially true when it comes to dealing with our health care system. Whether it’s speaking with doctors, dealing with insurance companies or simply where to turn and what questions to ask, it can be a daunting responsibility. We’ll discuss these topics and try to make the road a little easier to travel during our Feb. 11 presentation.”

WDT includes dementia care professionals, licensed clinical social workers, physical and occupational therapists and caregivers themselves. WDT began meeting in fall 2020 and has been offering online programming help.

Future WDT program topics will feature “The Soul of Care: Nurturing Spiritual Well-Being in Dementia Support,” Feb. 25; “Beyond Words: Building Connection Through Enlightened Communication,” March 11; “Beyond Memory Loss: Tackling Common Comorbidities in Caring for our Loved Ones,” March 25; and “Prepared, Not Panicked: A Caregiver’s Guide to Emergency Readiness,” April 8.

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.

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