Richmond, VA

Change City

---

• Back to News Feed

Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024

Posted on 11/12/24 by Linda Lindberg

“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern Virginia Dementia Care Consortium.

The consortium is an alliance of 10 entities, including AARP Virginia, that present an annual conference to provide education, support, and services to promote the well-being of dementia caregivers.

“Caregivers have a job that they don’t sign up or train for,” said Jennifer Pauldurai, a neurologist at Inova’s Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center. Caring for someone with dementia can be stressful because the caregiver doesn’t understand why their loved ones act the way they do.

For dementia patients, stress becomes a self-conscious reaction because the brain is unaware of what is going on around them. “It’s as if they are lost in the woods with no GPS,” said Pauldurai.

Caregivers need to try to understand the dementia patient’s world, especially identifying stress triggers. The first step is to identify why they are acting the way they are. It’s important to focus on feelings and not facts. “Their reality is not your reality,” Pauldurai said.

Signs of stress in dementia patients include anxiety, restlessness or pacing, shadowing or following the caregiver everywhere, suspicion or paranoia, delusions or hallucinations, stubbornness or resistance, wandering, or verbal or physical aggression.

Pauldurai gave several examples of behavior seen in dementia patients. Delusions and hallucinations, as in seeing other people in the house, are common. Hallucinations may be triggered by something physical, such as a shadow.

Pauldurai explained that these delusions may be the patient’s way of trying to protect their family and home from intruders. Instead of trying to convince them there is no one present, caregivers should validate the patient’s perspective, saying “thank you for trying to protect me.”

Another common behavior is waking up early, getting dressed, and leaving the house to go for a walk. The person is probably used to having a routine or schedule, and they are trying to replicate the routine but have no awareness of time.

Caregivers need to address whether the patient’s basic physical needs are met, including any physical changes in the environment. Dementia patients often feel they are forced to do things against their will. “Words don’t matter as much as the way you say them,” said Pauldurai.

Some examples of changing the dementia person’s external environment include adjusting temperature and lighting; removing clutter and extra lights that cause shadows; dissolving pills in food or water if the person has trouble taking them; surrounding them with familiar faces and environments as much as possible; and ensuring regular sleep cycles and regular meals and hydration.

Caregivers may also need to make changes to the person’s internal environment, in collaboration with the person’s physician. Probiotics or prebiotics may help with digestion. Following a diet rich in nuts, berries, fruits, leafy vegetables, water, and low sugar, such as the Mediterranean Diet, may help reduce stress on the brain.

The dementia caretaking team, said Pauldurai, should work together to accomplish health and safety for the patient. This includes trying to understand the patient’s world and using dementia-friendly language.

“Practice the five Rs,” said Pauldurai: reassure, reorient, redirect, repeat, and most importantly, respect.

Pauldurai concluded by urging caregivers to know when they need help and to find the support they need to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

“When we join together, we make a difference,” said Melanie Bunn, a trainer for Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care.

Snow is a dementia expert who developed a set of techniques based on understanding the parts of the brain that are no longer working in dementia patients and engaging the parts that are still active so patients and care partners can experience less stress and resistance and grow their relationships.

“The prefrontal cortex,” said Bunn, “is the last part of the brain to start working and the first to cause issues due to breakdown.”

The prefrontal cortex controls impulses, logic, and the ability to make choices. It also controls the ability to start, stay on a task, finish it, and move on. Another control is accurate self-awareness, or the ability to look at a situation and say either “I’ve got this” or “I need help,” along with perspective and the ability to accept when you need help.

With dementia patients, said Bunn, caretakers must recognize there must be a better way and be the impetus of change to best serve the patient. She also said caretakers must “build a bridge rather than a wall” as they build a caring team to work with the patient.

Snow’s method uses a GEMS® approach to different stages of brain change, based on the principle that until we see the beauty and value of a person at these different stages, they cannot be supported as they should.

Each stage is assigned a specific gem. In the sapphire stage, the person is generally fine but slowing down. In the diamond stage, they become harder, more rigid, and less flexible. In the emerald stage, they look to the past and want things to be the way they used to be.

Amber means caution, and when a patient reaches the amber stage, caretakers need to be cautious about sensations and under or over stimulation. Bunn recommends working to change the environment and giving the patient new things to explore.

In the ruby stage, the patient often loses motor skills, speech functions and comprehension, and visual awareness. In the final stage, pearl, patients become more hidden in their shells but still have many beautiful layers.

Bunn urged caretakers to take responsibility for change to help dementia patients at all stages “find their hidden sapphire.”

When Dr. Nicole Rochester’s late father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, she said it was “like a swift summer storm” that came out of nowhere.

Rochester, founder and CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC, who was working as a pediatrician at the time, was “completely overwhelmed” and unsure how to integrate caregiving into her life.

Like many caregivers, she initially felt she could do everything herself and needed to learn how to ask for help. Once she communicated her need for help and accepted it, she felt transformed.

“In reality,” said Rochester, “the caregiving journey is like a maze – there is no roadmap.”
Nevertheless, she found many little glimmers of hope throughout the journey. “When the storm clouds start to shift, sometimes you can see a rainbow,” she said.

“Everyone sees a different rainbow,” said Rochester, but to see one, “the sun must be behind you.”

Rochester sees rainbows as connections that can restore many good aspects of a relationship, like laughing together over a memory or funny event. This helps caregivers to cherish the special moments when they connect with the dementia patient.

Rainbows help build resiliency. “Nothing can build strength like a caregiving journey,” said Rochester.

Rochester’s rainbows also helped illuminate her path to the future, as she ended up leaving her pediatric career to start her own company as an advocate for caregivers.

The benefits of finding rainbows, said Rochester, are compassion, strength, organization, and resilience.

“Use your rainbow as a compass for your future to help you find rays of light in your journey,” she said.


Conference attendees had the opportunity to attend break-out sessions on a variety of helpful topics, including financial and legal issues, improving hands-on skills, nutrition, end-of-life care, and virtual reality as a way to explore care. Numerous vendors provided information and resources.

This story is provided by AARP Virginia. Visit the AARP Virginia page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.

AARP Events for Richmond

AARP Events for Richmond

• Featured Event

  Young-Onset Dementia and its Causes

  Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET

  Zoom

  Hybrid (Attend Online or In-Person)

• Featured Event

  Richmond Caregiving Workshop

  Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. ET

  VCU Health Hub at 25th

  Richmond, VA

• Featured Event

  Behind the Headstones Part 2: Heroes at Arlington National Cemetery

  Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. ET

  Zoom

  Online Event

View All AARP Events

Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal

• Immediate access to your member benefits
• Discounts on travel and everyday savings
• Subscription to AARP The Magazine
• FREE second membership

Join AARP

Already a member? Renew or Print Card

Facebook

Contact AARP
Virginia

• VAAARP@aarp.org
• AARP Virginia
• Contact Us

  

Return to top

Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242]
Code Context
            <?php // if (!$nowrapper) (Globals::$language == 'es') ? include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer_es.html") : include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer.html"); ?>
            <?php if (!$nowrapper):  // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box">

	<div>    
		<div class="module-spacer">
			<header><h1 class="article-headline">Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024</h1></header>	
						<div class="posted-on">
				Posted on 11/12/24 
				by <b>Linda Lindberg</b>			</div>
		</div>
		<div class="module-spacer">
			<span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody">
    
        <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/f1/2c/be9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96/aarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 008.jpg" width="1354" height="903" style="height: auto; max-width: 350px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">AARP Virginia Volunteers staff the resource table</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern Virginia Dementia Care Consortium.<br><br>The consortium is an alliance of 10 entities, including AARP Virginia, that present an annual conference to provide education, support, and services to promote the well-being of dementia caregivers.<br><br>“Caregivers have a job that they don’t sign up or train for,” said Jennifer Pauldurai, a neurologist at Inova’s Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center. Caring for someone with dementia can be stressful because the caregiver doesn’t understand why their loved ones act the way they do.<br><br>For dementia patients, stress becomes a self-conscious reaction because the brain is unaware of what is going on around them. “It’s as if they are lost in the woods with no GPS,” said Pauldurai.<br><br>Caregivers need to try to understand the dementia patient’s world, especially identifying stress triggers. The first step is to identify why they are acting the way they are. It’s important to focus on feelings and not facts. “Their reality is not your reality,” Pauldurai said.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="left">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/ca/22/e9fca756419894a7f3d061d254db/aarp-caregivers-program-066.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 066.jpg" width="1420" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Dr. Jennifer Pauldurai, MD</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Signs of stress in dementia patients include anxiety, restlessness or pacing, shadowing or following the caregiver everywhere, suspicion or paranoia, delusions or hallucinations, stubbornness or resistance, wandering, or verbal or physical aggression.<br><br>Pauldurai gave several examples of behavior seen in dementia patients. Delusions and hallucinations, as in seeing other people in the house, are common. Hallucinations may be triggered by something physical, such as a shadow.<br><br>Pauldurai explained that these delusions may be the patient’s way of trying to protect their family and home from intruders. Instead of trying to convince them there is no one present, caregivers should validate the patient’s perspective, saying “thank you for trying to protect me.”<br><br>Another common behavior is waking up early, getting dressed, and leaving the house to go for a walk. The person is probably used to having a routine or schedule, and they are trying to replicate the routine but have no awareness of time.<br><br>Caregivers need to address whether the patient’s basic physical needs are met, including any physical changes in the environment. Dementia patients often feel they are forced to do things against their will. “Words don’t matter as much as the way you say them,” said Pauldurai.<br><br>Some examples of changing the dementia person’s external environment include adjusting temperature and lighting; removing clutter and extra lights that cause shadows; dissolving pills in food or water if the person has trouble taking them; surrounding them with familiar faces and environments as much as possible; and ensuring regular sleep cycles and regular meals and hydration.<br><br>Caregivers may also need to make changes to the person’s internal environment, in collaboration with the person’s physician. Probiotics or prebiotics may help with digestion. Following a diet rich in nuts, berries, fruits, leafy vegetables, water, and low sugar, such as the Mediterranean Diet, may help reduce stress on the brain.<br><br>The dementia caretaking team, said Pauldurai, should work together to accomplish health and safety for the patient. This includes trying to understand the patient’s world and using dementia-friendly language.<br><br>“Practice the five Rs,” said Pauldurai: reassure, reorient, redirect, repeat, and most importantly, respect.<br><br>Pauldurai concluded by urging caregivers to know when they need help and to find the support they need to maintain a healthy work-life balance.<br><br>“When we join together, we make a difference,” said Melanie Bunn, a trainer for Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dd/61/03c84ac3463ea2c462f998598f64/aarp-caregivers-program-128.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 128.jpg" width="1252" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Melanie Bunn, trainer for Positive Approach to Care</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Snow is a dementia expert who developed a set of techniques based on understanding the parts of the brain that are no longer working in dementia patients and engaging the parts that are still active so patients and care partners can experience less stress and resistance and grow their relationships.<br><br>“The prefrontal cortex,” said Bunn, “is the last part of the brain to start working and the first to cause issues due to breakdown.”<br><br>The prefrontal cortex controls impulses, logic, and the ability to make choices. It also controls the ability to start, stay on a task, finish it, and move on. Another control is accurate self-awareness, or the ability to look at a situation and say either “I’ve got this” or “I need help,” along with perspective and the ability to accept when you need help.<br><br>With dementia patients, said Bunn, caretakers must recognize there must be a better way and be the impetus of change to best serve the patient. She also said caretakers must “build a bridge rather than a wall” as they build a caring team to work with the patient.<br><br>Snow’s method uses a GEMS® approach to different stages of brain change, based on the principle that until we see the beauty and value of a person at these different stages, they cannot be supported as they should.<br><br>Each stage is assigned a specific gem. In the sapphire stage, the person is generally fine but slowing down. In the diamond stage, they become harder, more rigid, and less flexible. In the emerald stage, they look to the past and want things to be the way they used to be.<br><br>Amber means caution, and when a patient reaches the amber stage, caretakers need to be cautious about sensations and under or over stimulation. Bunn recommends working to change the environment and giving the patient new things to explore.<br><br>In the ruby stage, the patient often loses motor skills, speech functions and comprehension, and visual awareness. In the final stage, pearl, patients become more hidden in their shells but still have many beautiful layers.<br><br>Bunn urged caretakers to take responsibility for change to help dementia patients at all stages “find their hidden sapphire.”<br><br>When Dr. Nicole Rochester’s late father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, she said it was “like a swift summer storm” that came out of nowhere.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="left">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/e7/37/0f6648204e3cafaa338f6f3063ab/aarp-caregivers-program-155.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 155.jpg" width="1419" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Dr. Nicole Rochester, founder and CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Rochester, founder and CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC, who was working as a pediatrician at the time, was “completely overwhelmed” and unsure how to integrate caregiving into her life.<br><br>Like many caregivers, she initially felt she could do everything herself and needed to learn how to ask for help. Once she communicated her need for help and accepted it, she felt transformed.<br><br>“In reality,” said Rochester, “the caregiving journey is like a maze – there is no roadmap.”<br>Nevertheless, she found many little glimmers of hope throughout the journey. “When the storm clouds start to shift, sometimes you can see a rainbow,” she said.<br><br>“Everyone sees a different rainbow,” said Rochester, but to see one, “the sun must be behind you.”<br><br>Rochester sees rainbows as connections that can restore many good aspects of a relationship, like laughing together over a memory or funny event. This helps caregivers to cherish the special moments when they connect with the dementia patient.<br><br>Rainbows help build resiliency. “Nothing can build strength like a caregiving journey,” said Rochester.<br><br>Rochester’s rainbows also helped illuminate her path to the future, as she ended up leaving her pediatric career to start her own company as an advocate for caregivers.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/84/d7/4a9d7b104cf184c0ec46c9fdbc6e/aarp-caregivers-program-080.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 080.jpg" width="1600" height="1067" style="height: auto; max-width: 350px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Attendees listen to presentations by caregiving experts.</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>The benefits of finding rainbows, said Rochester, are compassion, strength, organization, and resilience.<br><br>“Use your rainbow as a compass for your future to help you find rays of light in your journey,” she said.<br><br><br>Conference attendees had the opportunity to attend break-out sessions on a variety of helpful topics, including financial and legal issues, improving hands-on skills, nutrition, end-of-life care, and virtual reality as a way to explore care. Numerous vendors provided information and resources.</p></div>
    
</div>
</p></span>
		</div>
	</div>

		<p><i>This story is provided by AARP Virginia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/virginia/" target="_blank">AARP Virginia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p>
	
</div>
</div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script>
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css">

<!-- bypass -->
<style>
a:focus, a:hover {
    text-decoration: underline;
}
h1.article-headline {
margin: 0 0 1rem;
}
</style>



<!--
<style>
.Enhancement-item .Figure {
margin-bottom: 24px;
}
.RichTextArticleBody-body ul {
    margin-bottom: 24px;
}
.RichTextArticleBody-body p{
    margin: 12px 0;
}
.RichTextModule-items {
   clear: both;
    display: table;
    width: 100%;
    margin-bottom: 12px;
}
.VideoEnhancement>* {
    color: var(--primaryTextColor);
    font-size: 13px;
    font-weight: 400;
    line-height: 1.4;
    font-style: italic;
    background: #f0efed
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
    .VideoEnhancement>* {
        font-size:14px;
        font-weight: 400;
        line-height: 1.47
    }
}

.VideoEnhancement-title {
    padding: 20px
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
    .VideoEnhancement-title {
        padding:30px
    }
}

.VideoEnhancement-player>* {
    position: relative;
    width: 100%;
    height: 0;
    padding-bottom: 56.25%
}

.VideoEnhancement iframe {
    border: 0;
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%
}
[data-video-player] {
    display: block;
    padding-bottom: 56.25%;
    height: 0;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

[data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] {
    padding-bottom: 56.25%;
}

[data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] {
    padding-bottom: 56.25%
}
</style>
--></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750">
<a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" 
	href="/richmond-va/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" 
	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
</div></div></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default-->
<!-- module_RHS - AARP Events -->

<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
	<header>
		<div class="pull-right">
			<a href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">
				<img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" />
			</a>
		</div>
		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Richmond</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Richmond</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
			<ul class="list">
				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/young-onset-dementia-m4nb3ytc8v9.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-YOUNGONSET-DEMENTIA-AND-ITS-CAUSES">Young-Onset Dementia and its Causes</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Hybrid (Attend Online or In-Person)</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/richmond-caregiving-workshop-znn6v9dtkjp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-RICHMOND-CAREGIVING-WORKSHOP">Richmond Caregiving Workshop</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 9:00&nbsp;a.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">VCU Health Hub at 25th</p>
					<p class="loc">Richmond, VA</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/behind-the-headstones-amazing-stories-of-heroes-at-arlington-national-cemetery-part-2-fdn4vmhwzy4.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-BEHIND-THE-HEADSTONES-PART-2-HEROES-AT-ARLINGTON-NATIONAL-CEMETERY">Behind the Headstones Part 2: Heroes at Arlington National Cemetery</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 3:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div>
	<ul class="list">
		<li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li>
		<li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li>
		<li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li>
		<li>FREE second membership</li>
	</ul>
	<div class="action">
		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RICHMOND-VA">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RICHMOND-VA">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
	</div>
</div>
<style>
.membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;}
.membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; }
</style>
<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="module-spacer text-center">
<div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Virginia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Virginia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true">
	<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia">Facebook</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>

 
<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP<br />Virginia</h2>
</header>
<div class="wrap">

<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:VAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VAAARP@aarp.org</a></li>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/virginia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Virginia</a></li>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/contact-aarp-virginia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-RICHMOND-VA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>


</ul>
</div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://twitter.com/aarpVa" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a>



</div>
</div>

</div></div>
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div>
</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar -->
	<script type="text/javascript">
		jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() {
			window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href');
		});
	</script>
</div>
</div>
',
	'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024</title>
<meta name="page_title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/>
<meta content="AARP Virginia Volunteers staff the resource table “Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th" name="description"/>
<meta content="Northern, Virginia, Dementia, Caregiver, s, Conference, 2024" name="keywords"/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/virginia/northern-virginia-dementia-caregivers-conference-2024" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/northern-virginia-dementia-caregivers-conference-2024-va-2024-11-12.html"/>
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/>
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta name="twitter:description" content="“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern"/>
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/36c203c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1354x870+0+16/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Ff1%2F2c%2Fbe9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96%2Faarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg"/>
<meta property="og:type" content="article"/>
<meta property="og:title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta property="og:description" content="“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern"/>
<meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/36c203c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1354x870+0+16/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Ff1%2F2c%2Fbe9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96%2Faarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg"/>
        :root {
        --primaryColor: #ff1e3c;
        --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a;
        --linkTextColor: #1f66bd;
        --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd;
        --secondaryTextColor: #000000;
        --secondaryColor2: #000000;
        --secondaryColor3: #000000;
        --secondaryColor4: #000000;
        --secondaryColor5: #000000;
        --black: #000000;
        --white: #ffffff;
        --grey: #f0efed;
        --gridGutters: 30px;
        --modulePadding: 60px;
        --pageWidth: 86.11%;
        --maxPageWidth: 1240px;
        --horizontalAlignment: center;
        --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif;
        --headerBackgroundColor:#000000;
        --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF;
        --headerHeight:50px;
        --footerbackgroundColor:#000000;
        --footerTextColor:#918883;
        }',
	'title_for_layout' => '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP'
)
$content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box">

	<div>    
		<div class="module-spacer">
			<header><h1 class="article-headline">Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024</h1></header>	
						<div class="posted-on">
				Posted on 11/12/24 
				by <b>Linda Lindberg</b>			</div>
		</div>
		<div class="module-spacer">
			<span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody">
    
        <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/f1/2c/be9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96/aarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 008.jpg" width="1354" height="903" style="height: auto; max-width: 350px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">AARP Virginia Volunteers staff the resource table</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern Virginia Dementia Care Consortium.<br><br>The consortium is an alliance of 10 entities, including AARP Virginia, that present an annual conference to provide education, support, and services to promote the well-being of dementia caregivers.<br><br>“Caregivers have a job that they don’t sign up or train for,” said Jennifer Pauldurai, a neurologist at Inova’s Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center. Caring for someone with dementia can be stressful because the caregiver doesn’t understand why their loved ones act the way they do.<br><br>For dementia patients, stress becomes a self-conscious reaction because the brain is unaware of what is going on around them. “It’s as if they are lost in the woods with no GPS,” said Pauldurai.<br><br>Caregivers need to try to understand the dementia patient’s world, especially identifying stress triggers. The first step is to identify why they are acting the way they are. It’s important to focus on feelings and not facts. “Their reality is not your reality,” Pauldurai said.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="left">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/ca/22/e9fca756419894a7f3d061d254db/aarp-caregivers-program-066.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 066.jpg" width="1420" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Dr. Jennifer Pauldurai, MD</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Signs of stress in dementia patients include anxiety, restlessness or pacing, shadowing or following the caregiver everywhere, suspicion or paranoia, delusions or hallucinations, stubbornness or resistance, wandering, or verbal or physical aggression.<br><br>Pauldurai gave several examples of behavior seen in dementia patients. Delusions and hallucinations, as in seeing other people in the house, are common. Hallucinations may be triggered by something physical, such as a shadow.<br><br>Pauldurai explained that these delusions may be the patient’s way of trying to protect their family and home from intruders. Instead of trying to convince them there is no one present, caregivers should validate the patient’s perspective, saying “thank you for trying to protect me.”<br><br>Another common behavior is waking up early, getting dressed, and leaving the house to go for a walk. The person is probably used to having a routine or schedule, and they are trying to replicate the routine but have no awareness of time.<br><br>Caregivers need to address whether the patient’s basic physical needs are met, including any physical changes in the environment. Dementia patients often feel they are forced to do things against their will. “Words don’t matter as much as the way you say them,” said Pauldurai.<br><br>Some examples of changing the dementia person’s external environment include adjusting temperature and lighting; removing clutter and extra lights that cause shadows; dissolving pills in food or water if the person has trouble taking them; surrounding them with familiar faces and environments as much as possible; and ensuring regular sleep cycles and regular meals and hydration.<br><br>Caregivers may also need to make changes to the person’s internal environment, in collaboration with the person’s physician. Probiotics or prebiotics may help with digestion. Following a diet rich in nuts, berries, fruits, leafy vegetables, water, and low sugar, such as the Mediterranean Diet, may help reduce stress on the brain.<br><br>The dementia caretaking team, said Pauldurai, should work together to accomplish health and safety for the patient. This includes trying to understand the patient’s world and using dementia-friendly language.<br><br>“Practice the five Rs,” said Pauldurai: reassure, reorient, redirect, repeat, and most importantly, respect.<br><br>Pauldurai concluded by urging caregivers to know when they need help and to find the support they need to maintain a healthy work-life balance.<br><br>“When we join together, we make a difference,” said Melanie Bunn, a trainer for Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dd/61/03c84ac3463ea2c462f998598f64/aarp-caregivers-program-128.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 128.jpg" width="1252" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Melanie Bunn, trainer for Positive Approach to Care</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Snow is a dementia expert who developed a set of techniques based on understanding the parts of the brain that are no longer working in dementia patients and engaging the parts that are still active so patients and care partners can experience less stress and resistance and grow their relationships.<br><br>“The prefrontal cortex,” said Bunn, “is the last part of the brain to start working and the first to cause issues due to breakdown.”<br><br>The prefrontal cortex controls impulses, logic, and the ability to make choices. It also controls the ability to start, stay on a task, finish it, and move on. Another control is accurate self-awareness, or the ability to look at a situation and say either “I’ve got this” or “I need help,” along with perspective and the ability to accept when you need help.<br><br>With dementia patients, said Bunn, caretakers must recognize there must be a better way and be the impetus of change to best serve the patient. She also said caretakers must “build a bridge rather than a wall” as they build a caring team to work with the patient.<br><br>Snow’s method uses a GEMS® approach to different stages of brain change, based on the principle that until we see the beauty and value of a person at these different stages, they cannot be supported as they should.<br><br>Each stage is assigned a specific gem. In the sapphire stage, the person is generally fine but slowing down. In the diamond stage, they become harder, more rigid, and less flexible. In the emerald stage, they look to the past and want things to be the way they used to be.<br><br>Amber means caution, and when a patient reaches the amber stage, caretakers need to be cautious about sensations and under or over stimulation. Bunn recommends working to change the environment and giving the patient new things to explore.<br><br>In the ruby stage, the patient often loses motor skills, speech functions and comprehension, and visual awareness. In the final stage, pearl, patients become more hidden in their shells but still have many beautiful layers.<br><br>Bunn urged caretakers to take responsibility for change to help dementia patients at all stages “find their hidden sapphire.”<br><br>When Dr. Nicole Rochester’s late father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, she said it was “like a swift summer storm” that came out of nowhere.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="left">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/e7/37/0f6648204e3cafaa338f6f3063ab/aarp-caregivers-program-155.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 155.jpg" width="1419" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Dr. Nicole Rochester, founder and CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Rochester, founder and CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC, who was working as a pediatrician at the time, was “completely overwhelmed” and unsure how to integrate caregiving into her life.<br><br>Like many caregivers, she initially felt she could do everything herself and needed to learn how to ask for help. Once she communicated her need for help and accepted it, she felt transformed.<br><br>“In reality,” said Rochester, “the caregiving journey is like a maze – there is no roadmap.”<br>Nevertheless, she found many little glimmers of hope throughout the journey. “When the storm clouds start to shift, sometimes you can see a rainbow,” she said.<br><br>“Everyone sees a different rainbow,” said Rochester, but to see one, “the sun must be behind you.”<br><br>Rochester sees rainbows as connections that can restore many good aspects of a relationship, like laughing together over a memory or funny event. This helps caregivers to cherish the special moments when they connect with the dementia patient.<br><br>Rainbows help build resiliency. “Nothing can build strength like a caregiving journey,” said Rochester.<br><br>Rochester’s rainbows also helped illuminate her path to the future, as she ended up leaving her pediatric career to start her own company as an advocate for caregivers.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/84/d7/4a9d7b104cf184c0ec46c9fdbc6e/aarp-caregivers-program-080.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 080.jpg" width="1600" height="1067" style="height: auto; max-width: 350px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Attendees listen to presentations by caregiving experts.</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>The benefits of finding rainbows, said Rochester, are compassion, strength, organization, and resilience.<br><br>“Use your rainbow as a compass for your future to help you find rays of light in your journey,” she said.<br><br><br>Conference attendees had the opportunity to attend break-out sessions on a variety of helpful topics, including financial and legal issues, improving hands-on skills, nutrition, end-of-life care, and virtual reality as a way to explore care. Numerous vendors provided information and resources.</p></div>
    
</div>
</p></span>
		</div>
	</div>

		<p><i>This story is provided by AARP Virginia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/virginia/" target="_blank">AARP Virginia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p>
	
</div>
</div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script>
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css">

<!-- bypass -->
<style>
a:focus, a:hover {
    text-decoration: underline;
}
h1.article-headline {
margin: 0 0 1rem;
}
</style>



<!--
<style>
.Enhancement-item .Figure {
margin-bottom: 24px;
}
.RichTextArticleBody-body ul {
    margin-bottom: 24px;
}
.RichTextArticleBody-body p{
    margin: 12px 0;
}
.RichTextModule-items {
   clear: both;
    display: table;
    width: 100%;
    margin-bottom: 12px;
}
.VideoEnhancement>* {
    color: var(--primaryTextColor);
    font-size: 13px;
    font-weight: 400;
    line-height: 1.4;
    font-style: italic;
    background: #f0efed
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
    .VideoEnhancement>* {
        font-size:14px;
        font-weight: 400;
        line-height: 1.47
    }
}

.VideoEnhancement-title {
    padding: 20px
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
    .VideoEnhancement-title {
        padding:30px
    }
}

.VideoEnhancement-player>* {
    position: relative;
    width: 100%;
    height: 0;
    padding-bottom: 56.25%
}

.VideoEnhancement iframe {
    border: 0;
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%
}
[data-video-player] {
    display: block;
    padding-bottom: 56.25%;
    height: 0;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

[data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] {
    padding-bottom: 56.25%;
}

[data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] {
    padding-bottom: 56.25%
}
</style>
--></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750">
<a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" 
	href="/richmond-va/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" 
	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
</div></div></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default-->
<!-- module_RHS - AARP Events -->

<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
	<header>
		<div class="pull-right">
			<a href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">
				<img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" />
			</a>
		</div>
		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Richmond</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Richmond</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
			<ul class="list">
				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/young-onset-dementia-m4nb3ytc8v9.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-YOUNGONSET-DEMENTIA-AND-ITS-CAUSES">Young-Onset Dementia and its Causes</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Hybrid (Attend Online or In-Person)</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/richmond-caregiving-workshop-znn6v9dtkjp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-RICHMOND-CAREGIVING-WORKSHOP">Richmond Caregiving Workshop</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 9:00&nbsp;a.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">VCU Health Hub at 25th</p>
					<p class="loc">Richmond, VA</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/behind-the-headstones-amazing-stories-of-heroes-at-arlington-national-cemetery-part-2-fdn4vmhwzy4.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-BEHIND-THE-HEADSTONES-PART-2-HEROES-AT-ARLINGTON-NATIONAL-CEMETERY">Behind the Headstones Part 2: Heroes at Arlington National Cemetery</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 3:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div>
	<ul class="list">
		<li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li>
		<li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li>
		<li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li>
		<li>FREE second membership</li>
	</ul>
	<div class="action">
		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RICHMOND-VA">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RICHMOND-VA">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
	</div>
</div>
<style>
.membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;}
.membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; }
</style>
<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="module-spacer text-center">
<div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Virginia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Virginia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true">
	<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia">Facebook</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>

 
<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP<br />Virginia</h2>
</header>
<div class="wrap">

<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:VAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VAAARP@aarp.org</a></li>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/virginia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Virginia</a></li>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/contact-aarp-virginia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-RICHMOND-VA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>


</ul>
</div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://twitter.com/aarpVa" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a>



</div>
</div>

</div></div>
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div>
</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar -->
	<script type="text/javascript">
		jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() {
			window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href');
		});
	</script>
</div>
</div>
'
$scripts_for_layout = '<title>Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024</title>
<meta name="page_title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/>
<meta content="AARP Virginia Volunteers staff the resource table “Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th" name="description"/>
<meta content="Northern, Virginia, Dementia, Caregiver, s, Conference, 2024" name="keywords"/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/virginia/northern-virginia-dementia-caregivers-conference-2024" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/northern-virginia-dementia-caregivers-conference-2024-va-2024-11-12.html"/>
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/>
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta name="twitter:description" content="“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern"/>
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/36c203c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1354x870+0+16/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Ff1%2F2c%2Fbe9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96%2Faarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg"/>
<meta property="og:type" content="article"/>
<meta property="og:title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta property="og:description" content="“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern"/>
<meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/36c203c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1354x870+0+16/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Ff1%2F2c%2Fbe9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96%2Faarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg"/>
        :root {
        --primaryColor: #ff1e3c;
        --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a;
        --linkTextColor: #1f66bd;
        --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd;
        --secondaryTextColor: #000000;
        --secondaryColor2: #000000;
        --secondaryColor3: #000000;
        --secondaryColor4: #000000;
        --secondaryColor5: #000000;
        --black: #000000;
        --white: #ffffff;
        --grey: #f0efed;
        --gridGutters: 30px;
        --modulePadding: 60px;
        --pageWidth: 86.11%;
        --maxPageWidth: 1240px;
        --horizontalAlignment: center;
        --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif;
        --headerBackgroundColor:#000000;
        --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF;
        --headerHeight:50px;
        --footerbackgroundColor:#000000;
        --footerTextColor:#918883;
        }'
$title_for_layout = '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP'
$asset_version = '230831'
$min = true
$nowrapper = false
$css = '        :root {
        --primaryColor: #ff1e3c;
        --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a;
        --linkTextColor: #1f66bd;
        --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd;
        --secondaryTextColor: #000000;
        --secondaryColor2: #000000;
        --secondaryColor3: #000000;
        --secondaryColor4: #000000;
        --secondaryColor5: #000000;
        --black: #000000;
        --white: #ffffff;
        --grey: #f0efed;
        --gridGutters: 30px;
        --modulePadding: 60px;
        --pageWidth: 86.11%;
        --maxPageWidth: 1240px;
        --horizontalAlignment: center;
        --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif;
        --headerBackgroundColor:#000000;
        --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF;
        --headerHeight:50px;
        --footerbackgroundColor:#000000;
        --footerTextColor:#918883;
        }'
$highlighting = ''
$location = '<a href="/richmond-va/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Richmond, VA</a>'
$no_header = false
$header_title = '<a href="/richmond-va/happenings/">News Feed</a>'
$header_subtitle = ''
$isPR = false
$navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse">
	<div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div>
	<ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true">
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li>
		<li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more">
			<span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span>
			<ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu">
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li>
				<!--
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li>
				-->
			</ul>
		</li>
		
	</ul>
</nav>'
$header_custom = ''
$breadcrumbs = array(
	(int) 0 => array(
		'title' => 'News Feed',
		'slug' => 'happenings'
	)
)
$row = array(
	'title' => 'Back to News Feed',
	'slug' => 'happenings'
)
$i = (int) 0
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136
BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81
ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ??
Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118

Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242]
Code Context
            <?php // if (!$nowrapper) (Globals::$language == 'es') ? include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer_es.html") : include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer.html"); ?>
            <?php if (!$nowrapper):  // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box">

	<div>    
		<div class="module-spacer">
			<header><h1 class="article-headline">Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024</h1></header>	
						<div class="posted-on">
				Posted on 11/12/24 
				by <b>Linda Lindberg</b>			</div>
		</div>
		<div class="module-spacer">
			<span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody">
    
        <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/f1/2c/be9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96/aarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 008.jpg" width="1354" height="903" style="height: auto; max-width: 350px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">AARP Virginia Volunteers staff the resource table</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern Virginia Dementia Care Consortium.<br><br>The consortium is an alliance of 10 entities, including AARP Virginia, that present an annual conference to provide education, support, and services to promote the well-being of dementia caregivers.<br><br>“Caregivers have a job that they don’t sign up or train for,” said Jennifer Pauldurai, a neurologist at Inova’s Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center. Caring for someone with dementia can be stressful because the caregiver doesn’t understand why their loved ones act the way they do.<br><br>For dementia patients, stress becomes a self-conscious reaction because the brain is unaware of what is going on around them. “It’s as if they are lost in the woods with no GPS,” said Pauldurai.<br><br>Caregivers need to try to understand the dementia patient’s world, especially identifying stress triggers. The first step is to identify why they are acting the way they are. It’s important to focus on feelings and not facts. “Their reality is not your reality,” Pauldurai said.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="left">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/ca/22/e9fca756419894a7f3d061d254db/aarp-caregivers-program-066.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 066.jpg" width="1420" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Dr. Jennifer Pauldurai, MD</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Signs of stress in dementia patients include anxiety, restlessness or pacing, shadowing or following the caregiver everywhere, suspicion or paranoia, delusions or hallucinations, stubbornness or resistance, wandering, or verbal or physical aggression.<br><br>Pauldurai gave several examples of behavior seen in dementia patients. Delusions and hallucinations, as in seeing other people in the house, are common. Hallucinations may be triggered by something physical, such as a shadow.<br><br>Pauldurai explained that these delusions may be the patient’s way of trying to protect their family and home from intruders. Instead of trying to convince them there is no one present, caregivers should validate the patient’s perspective, saying “thank you for trying to protect me.”<br><br>Another common behavior is waking up early, getting dressed, and leaving the house to go for a walk. The person is probably used to having a routine or schedule, and they are trying to replicate the routine but have no awareness of time.<br><br>Caregivers need to address whether the patient’s basic physical needs are met, including any physical changes in the environment. Dementia patients often feel they are forced to do things against their will. “Words don’t matter as much as the way you say them,” said Pauldurai.<br><br>Some examples of changing the dementia person’s external environment include adjusting temperature and lighting; removing clutter and extra lights that cause shadows; dissolving pills in food or water if the person has trouble taking them; surrounding them with familiar faces and environments as much as possible; and ensuring regular sleep cycles and regular meals and hydration.<br><br>Caregivers may also need to make changes to the person’s internal environment, in collaboration with the person’s physician. Probiotics or prebiotics may help with digestion. Following a diet rich in nuts, berries, fruits, leafy vegetables, water, and low sugar, such as the Mediterranean Diet, may help reduce stress on the brain.<br><br>The dementia caretaking team, said Pauldurai, should work together to accomplish health and safety for the patient. This includes trying to understand the patient’s world and using dementia-friendly language.<br><br>“Practice the five Rs,” said Pauldurai: reassure, reorient, redirect, repeat, and most importantly, respect.<br><br>Pauldurai concluded by urging caregivers to know when they need help and to find the support they need to maintain a healthy work-life balance.<br><br>“When we join together, we make a difference,” said Melanie Bunn, a trainer for Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dd/61/03c84ac3463ea2c462f998598f64/aarp-caregivers-program-128.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 128.jpg" width="1252" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Melanie Bunn, trainer for Positive Approach to Care</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Snow is a dementia expert who developed a set of techniques based on understanding the parts of the brain that are no longer working in dementia patients and engaging the parts that are still active so patients and care partners can experience less stress and resistance and grow their relationships.<br><br>“The prefrontal cortex,” said Bunn, “is the last part of the brain to start working and the first to cause issues due to breakdown.”<br><br>The prefrontal cortex controls impulses, logic, and the ability to make choices. It also controls the ability to start, stay on a task, finish it, and move on. Another control is accurate self-awareness, or the ability to look at a situation and say either “I’ve got this” or “I need help,” along with perspective and the ability to accept when you need help.<br><br>With dementia patients, said Bunn, caretakers must recognize there must be a better way and be the impetus of change to best serve the patient. She also said caretakers must “build a bridge rather than a wall” as they build a caring team to work with the patient.<br><br>Snow’s method uses a GEMS® approach to different stages of brain change, based on the principle that until we see the beauty and value of a person at these different stages, they cannot be supported as they should.<br><br>Each stage is assigned a specific gem. In the sapphire stage, the person is generally fine but slowing down. In the diamond stage, they become harder, more rigid, and less flexible. In the emerald stage, they look to the past and want things to be the way they used to be.<br><br>Amber means caution, and when a patient reaches the amber stage, caretakers need to be cautious about sensations and under or over stimulation. Bunn recommends working to change the environment and giving the patient new things to explore.<br><br>In the ruby stage, the patient often loses motor skills, speech functions and comprehension, and visual awareness. In the final stage, pearl, patients become more hidden in their shells but still have many beautiful layers.<br><br>Bunn urged caretakers to take responsibility for change to help dementia patients at all stages “find their hidden sapphire.”<br><br>When Dr. Nicole Rochester’s late father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, she said it was “like a swift summer storm” that came out of nowhere.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="left">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/e7/37/0f6648204e3cafaa338f6f3063ab/aarp-caregivers-program-155.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 155.jpg" width="1419" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Dr. Nicole Rochester, founder and CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Rochester, founder and CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC, who was working as a pediatrician at the time, was “completely overwhelmed” and unsure how to integrate caregiving into her life.<br><br>Like many caregivers, she initially felt she could do everything herself and needed to learn how to ask for help. Once she communicated her need for help and accepted it, she felt transformed.<br><br>“In reality,” said Rochester, “the caregiving journey is like a maze – there is no roadmap.”<br>Nevertheless, she found many little glimmers of hope throughout the journey. “When the storm clouds start to shift, sometimes you can see a rainbow,” she said.<br><br>“Everyone sees a different rainbow,” said Rochester, but to see one, “the sun must be behind you.”<br><br>Rochester sees rainbows as connections that can restore many good aspects of a relationship, like laughing together over a memory or funny event. This helps caregivers to cherish the special moments when they connect with the dementia patient.<br><br>Rainbows help build resiliency. “Nothing can build strength like a caregiving journey,” said Rochester.<br><br>Rochester’s rainbows also helped illuminate her path to the future, as she ended up leaving her pediatric career to start her own company as an advocate for caregivers.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/84/d7/4a9d7b104cf184c0ec46c9fdbc6e/aarp-caregivers-program-080.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 080.jpg" width="1600" height="1067" style="height: auto; max-width: 350px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Attendees listen to presentations by caregiving experts.</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>The benefits of finding rainbows, said Rochester, are compassion, strength, organization, and resilience.<br><br>“Use your rainbow as a compass for your future to help you find rays of light in your journey,” she said.<br><br><br>Conference attendees had the opportunity to attend break-out sessions on a variety of helpful topics, including financial and legal issues, improving hands-on skills, nutrition, end-of-life care, and virtual reality as a way to explore care. Numerous vendors provided information and resources.</p></div>
    
</div>
</p></span>
		</div>
	</div>

		<p><i>This story is provided by AARP Virginia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/virginia/" target="_blank">AARP Virginia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p>
	
</div>
</div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script>
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css">

<!-- bypass -->
<style>
a:focus, a:hover {
    text-decoration: underline;
}
h1.article-headline {
margin: 0 0 1rem;
}
</style>



<!--
<style>
.Enhancement-item .Figure {
margin-bottom: 24px;
}
.RichTextArticleBody-body ul {
    margin-bottom: 24px;
}
.RichTextArticleBody-body p{
    margin: 12px 0;
}
.RichTextModule-items {
   clear: both;
    display: table;
    width: 100%;
    margin-bottom: 12px;
}
.VideoEnhancement>* {
    color: var(--primaryTextColor);
    font-size: 13px;
    font-weight: 400;
    line-height: 1.4;
    font-style: italic;
    background: #f0efed
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
    .VideoEnhancement>* {
        font-size:14px;
        font-weight: 400;
        line-height: 1.47
    }
}

.VideoEnhancement-title {
    padding: 20px
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
    .VideoEnhancement-title {
        padding:30px
    }
}

.VideoEnhancement-player>* {
    position: relative;
    width: 100%;
    height: 0;
    padding-bottom: 56.25%
}

.VideoEnhancement iframe {
    border: 0;
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%
}
[data-video-player] {
    display: block;
    padding-bottom: 56.25%;
    height: 0;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

[data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] {
    padding-bottom: 56.25%;
}

[data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] {
    padding-bottom: 56.25%
}
</style>
--></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750">
<a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" 
	href="/richmond-va/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" 
	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
</div></div></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default-->
<!-- module_RHS - AARP Events -->

<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
	<header>
		<div class="pull-right">
			<a href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">
				<img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" />
			</a>
		</div>
		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Richmond</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Richmond</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
			<ul class="list">
				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/young-onset-dementia-m4nb3ytc8v9.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-YOUNGONSET-DEMENTIA-AND-ITS-CAUSES">Young-Onset Dementia and its Causes</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Hybrid (Attend Online or In-Person)</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/richmond-caregiving-workshop-znn6v9dtkjp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-RICHMOND-CAREGIVING-WORKSHOP">Richmond Caregiving Workshop</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 9:00&nbsp;a.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">VCU Health Hub at 25th</p>
					<p class="loc">Richmond, VA</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/behind-the-headstones-amazing-stories-of-heroes-at-arlington-national-cemetery-part-2-fdn4vmhwzy4.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-BEHIND-THE-HEADSTONES-PART-2-HEROES-AT-ARLINGTON-NATIONAL-CEMETERY">Behind the Headstones Part 2: Heroes at Arlington National Cemetery</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 3:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div>
	<ul class="list">
		<li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li>
		<li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li>
		<li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li>
		<li>FREE second membership</li>
	</ul>
	<div class="action">
		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RICHMOND-VA">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RICHMOND-VA">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
	</div>
</div>
<style>
.membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;}
.membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; }
</style>
<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="module-spacer text-center">
<div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Virginia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Virginia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true">
	<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia">Facebook</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>

 
<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP<br />Virginia</h2>
</header>
<div class="wrap">

<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:VAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VAAARP@aarp.org</a></li>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/virginia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Virginia</a></li>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/contact-aarp-virginia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-RICHMOND-VA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>


</ul>
</div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://twitter.com/aarpVa" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a>



</div>
</div>

</div></div>
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div>
</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar -->
	<script type="text/javascript">
		jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() {
			window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href');
		});
	</script>
</div>
</div>
',
	'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024</title>
<meta name="page_title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/>
<meta content="AARP Virginia Volunteers staff the resource table “Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th" name="description"/>
<meta content="Northern, Virginia, Dementia, Caregiver, s, Conference, 2024" name="keywords"/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/virginia/northern-virginia-dementia-caregivers-conference-2024" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/northern-virginia-dementia-caregivers-conference-2024-va-2024-11-12.html"/>
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/>
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta name="twitter:description" content="“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern"/>
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/36c203c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1354x870+0+16/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Ff1%2F2c%2Fbe9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96%2Faarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg"/>
<meta property="og:type" content="article"/>
<meta property="og:title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta property="og:description" content="“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern"/>
<meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/36c203c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1354x870+0+16/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Ff1%2F2c%2Fbe9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96%2Faarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg"/>
        :root {
        --primaryColor: #ff1e3c;
        --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a;
        --linkTextColor: #1f66bd;
        --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd;
        --secondaryTextColor: #000000;
        --secondaryColor2: #000000;
        --secondaryColor3: #000000;
        --secondaryColor4: #000000;
        --secondaryColor5: #000000;
        --black: #000000;
        --white: #ffffff;
        --grey: #f0efed;
        --gridGutters: 30px;
        --modulePadding: 60px;
        --pageWidth: 86.11%;
        --maxPageWidth: 1240px;
        --horizontalAlignment: center;
        --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif;
        --headerBackgroundColor:#000000;
        --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF;
        --headerHeight:50px;
        --footerbackgroundColor:#000000;
        --footerTextColor:#918883;
        }',
	'title_for_layout' => '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP'
)
$content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box">

	<div>    
		<div class="module-spacer">
			<header><h1 class="article-headline">Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024</h1></header>	
						<div class="posted-on">
				Posted on 11/12/24 
				by <b>Linda Lindberg</b>			</div>
		</div>
		<div class="module-spacer">
			<span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody">
    
        <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/f1/2c/be9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96/aarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 008.jpg" width="1354" height="903" style="height: auto; max-width: 350px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">AARP Virginia Volunteers staff the resource table</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern Virginia Dementia Care Consortium.<br><br>The consortium is an alliance of 10 entities, including AARP Virginia, that present an annual conference to provide education, support, and services to promote the well-being of dementia caregivers.<br><br>“Caregivers have a job that they don’t sign up or train for,” said Jennifer Pauldurai, a neurologist at Inova’s Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center. Caring for someone with dementia can be stressful because the caregiver doesn’t understand why their loved ones act the way they do.<br><br>For dementia patients, stress becomes a self-conscious reaction because the brain is unaware of what is going on around them. “It’s as if they are lost in the woods with no GPS,” said Pauldurai.<br><br>Caregivers need to try to understand the dementia patient’s world, especially identifying stress triggers. The first step is to identify why they are acting the way they are. It’s important to focus on feelings and not facts. “Their reality is not your reality,” Pauldurai said.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="left">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/ca/22/e9fca756419894a7f3d061d254db/aarp-caregivers-program-066.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 066.jpg" width="1420" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Dr. Jennifer Pauldurai, MD</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Signs of stress in dementia patients include anxiety, restlessness or pacing, shadowing or following the caregiver everywhere, suspicion or paranoia, delusions or hallucinations, stubbornness or resistance, wandering, or verbal or physical aggression.<br><br>Pauldurai gave several examples of behavior seen in dementia patients. Delusions and hallucinations, as in seeing other people in the house, are common. Hallucinations may be triggered by something physical, such as a shadow.<br><br>Pauldurai explained that these delusions may be the patient’s way of trying to protect their family and home from intruders. Instead of trying to convince them there is no one present, caregivers should validate the patient’s perspective, saying “thank you for trying to protect me.”<br><br>Another common behavior is waking up early, getting dressed, and leaving the house to go for a walk. The person is probably used to having a routine or schedule, and they are trying to replicate the routine but have no awareness of time.<br><br>Caregivers need to address whether the patient’s basic physical needs are met, including any physical changes in the environment. Dementia patients often feel they are forced to do things against their will. “Words don’t matter as much as the way you say them,” said Pauldurai.<br><br>Some examples of changing the dementia person’s external environment include adjusting temperature and lighting; removing clutter and extra lights that cause shadows; dissolving pills in food or water if the person has trouble taking them; surrounding them with familiar faces and environments as much as possible; and ensuring regular sleep cycles and regular meals and hydration.<br><br>Caregivers may also need to make changes to the person’s internal environment, in collaboration with the person’s physician. Probiotics or prebiotics may help with digestion. Following a diet rich in nuts, berries, fruits, leafy vegetables, water, and low sugar, such as the Mediterranean Diet, may help reduce stress on the brain.<br><br>The dementia caretaking team, said Pauldurai, should work together to accomplish health and safety for the patient. This includes trying to understand the patient’s world and using dementia-friendly language.<br><br>“Practice the five Rs,” said Pauldurai: reassure, reorient, redirect, repeat, and most importantly, respect.<br><br>Pauldurai concluded by urging caregivers to know when they need help and to find the support they need to maintain a healthy work-life balance.<br><br>“When we join together, we make a difference,” said Melanie Bunn, a trainer for Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dd/61/03c84ac3463ea2c462f998598f64/aarp-caregivers-program-128.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 128.jpg" width="1252" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Melanie Bunn, trainer for Positive Approach to Care</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Snow is a dementia expert who developed a set of techniques based on understanding the parts of the brain that are no longer working in dementia patients and engaging the parts that are still active so patients and care partners can experience less stress and resistance and grow their relationships.<br><br>“The prefrontal cortex,” said Bunn, “is the last part of the brain to start working and the first to cause issues due to breakdown.”<br><br>The prefrontal cortex controls impulses, logic, and the ability to make choices. It also controls the ability to start, stay on a task, finish it, and move on. Another control is accurate self-awareness, or the ability to look at a situation and say either “I’ve got this” or “I need help,” along with perspective and the ability to accept when you need help.<br><br>With dementia patients, said Bunn, caretakers must recognize there must be a better way and be the impetus of change to best serve the patient. She also said caretakers must “build a bridge rather than a wall” as they build a caring team to work with the patient.<br><br>Snow’s method uses a GEMS® approach to different stages of brain change, based on the principle that until we see the beauty and value of a person at these different stages, they cannot be supported as they should.<br><br>Each stage is assigned a specific gem. In the sapphire stage, the person is generally fine but slowing down. In the diamond stage, they become harder, more rigid, and less flexible. In the emerald stage, they look to the past and want things to be the way they used to be.<br><br>Amber means caution, and when a patient reaches the amber stage, caretakers need to be cautious about sensations and under or over stimulation. Bunn recommends working to change the environment and giving the patient new things to explore.<br><br>In the ruby stage, the patient often loses motor skills, speech functions and comprehension, and visual awareness. In the final stage, pearl, patients become more hidden in their shells but still have many beautiful layers.<br><br>Bunn urged caretakers to take responsibility for change to help dementia patients at all stages “find their hidden sapphire.”<br><br>When Dr. Nicole Rochester’s late father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, she said it was “like a swift summer storm” that came out of nowhere.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="left">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/e7/37/0f6648204e3cafaa338f6f3063ab/aarp-caregivers-program-155.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 155.jpg" width="1419" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Dr. Nicole Rochester, founder and CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Rochester, founder and CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC, who was working as a pediatrician at the time, was “completely overwhelmed” and unsure how to integrate caregiving into her life.<br><br>Like many caregivers, she initially felt she could do everything herself and needed to learn how to ask for help. Once she communicated her need for help and accepted it, she felt transformed.<br><br>“In reality,” said Rochester, “the caregiving journey is like a maze – there is no roadmap.”<br>Nevertheless, she found many little glimmers of hope throughout the journey. “When the storm clouds start to shift, sometimes you can see a rainbow,” she said.<br><br>“Everyone sees a different rainbow,” said Rochester, but to see one, “the sun must be behind you.”<br><br>Rochester sees rainbows as connections that can restore many good aspects of a relationship, like laughing together over a memory or funny event. This helps caregivers to cherish the special moments when they connect with the dementia patient.<br><br>Rainbows help build resiliency. “Nothing can build strength like a caregiving journey,” said Rochester.<br><br>Rochester’s rainbows also helped illuminate her path to the future, as she ended up leaving her pediatric career to start her own company as an advocate for caregivers.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/84/d7/4a9d7b104cf184c0ec46c9fdbc6e/aarp-caregivers-program-080.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 080.jpg" width="1600" height="1067" style="height: auto; max-width: 350px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Attendees listen to presentations by caregiving experts.</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>The benefits of finding rainbows, said Rochester, are compassion, strength, organization, and resilience.<br><br>“Use your rainbow as a compass for your future to help you find rays of light in your journey,” she said.<br><br><br>Conference attendees had the opportunity to attend break-out sessions on a variety of helpful topics, including financial and legal issues, improving hands-on skills, nutrition, end-of-life care, and virtual reality as a way to explore care. Numerous vendors provided information and resources.</p></div>
    
</div>
</p></span>
		</div>
	</div>

		<p><i>This story is provided by AARP Virginia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/virginia/" target="_blank">AARP Virginia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p>
	
</div>
</div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script>
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css">

<!-- bypass -->
<style>
a:focus, a:hover {
    text-decoration: underline;
}
h1.article-headline {
margin: 0 0 1rem;
}
</style>



<!--
<style>
.Enhancement-item .Figure {
margin-bottom: 24px;
}
.RichTextArticleBody-body ul {
    margin-bottom: 24px;
}
.RichTextArticleBody-body p{
    margin: 12px 0;
}
.RichTextModule-items {
   clear: both;
    display: table;
    width: 100%;
    margin-bottom: 12px;
}
.VideoEnhancement>* {
    color: var(--primaryTextColor);
    font-size: 13px;
    font-weight: 400;
    line-height: 1.4;
    font-style: italic;
    background: #f0efed
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
    .VideoEnhancement>* {
        font-size:14px;
        font-weight: 400;
        line-height: 1.47
    }
}

.VideoEnhancement-title {
    padding: 20px
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
    .VideoEnhancement-title {
        padding:30px
    }
}

.VideoEnhancement-player>* {
    position: relative;
    width: 100%;
    height: 0;
    padding-bottom: 56.25%
}

.VideoEnhancement iframe {
    border: 0;
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%
}
[data-video-player] {
    display: block;
    padding-bottom: 56.25%;
    height: 0;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

[data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] {
    padding-bottom: 56.25%;
}

[data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] {
    padding-bottom: 56.25%
}
</style>
--></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750">
<a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" 
	href="/richmond-va/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" 
	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
</div></div></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default-->
<!-- module_RHS - AARP Events -->

<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
	<header>
		<div class="pull-right">
			<a href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">
				<img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" />
			</a>
		</div>
		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Richmond</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Richmond</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
			<ul class="list">
				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/young-onset-dementia-m4nb3ytc8v9.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-YOUNGONSET-DEMENTIA-AND-ITS-CAUSES">Young-Onset Dementia and its Causes</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Hybrid (Attend Online or In-Person)</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/richmond-caregiving-workshop-znn6v9dtkjp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-RICHMOND-CAREGIVING-WORKSHOP">Richmond Caregiving Workshop</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 9:00&nbsp;a.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">VCU Health Hub at 25th</p>
					<p class="loc">Richmond, VA</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/behind-the-headstones-amazing-stories-of-heroes-at-arlington-national-cemetery-part-2-fdn4vmhwzy4.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-BEHIND-THE-HEADSTONES-PART-2-HEROES-AT-ARLINGTON-NATIONAL-CEMETERY">Behind the Headstones Part 2: Heroes at Arlington National Cemetery</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 3:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div>
	<ul class="list">
		<li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li>
		<li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li>
		<li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li>
		<li>FREE second membership</li>
	</ul>
	<div class="action">
		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RICHMOND-VA">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RICHMOND-VA">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
	</div>
</div>
<style>
.membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;}
.membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; }
</style>
<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="module-spacer text-center">
<div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Virginia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Virginia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true">
	<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia">Facebook</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>

 
<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP<br />Virginia</h2>
</header>
<div class="wrap">

<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:VAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VAAARP@aarp.org</a></li>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/virginia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Virginia</a></li>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/contact-aarp-virginia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-RICHMOND-VA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>


</ul>
</div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://twitter.com/aarpVa" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a>



</div>
</div>

</div></div>
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div>
</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar -->
	<script type="text/javascript">
		jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() {
			window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href');
		});
	</script>
</div>
</div>
'
$scripts_for_layout = '<title>Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024</title>
<meta name="page_title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/>
<meta content="AARP Virginia Volunteers staff the resource table “Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th" name="description"/>
<meta content="Northern, Virginia, Dementia, Caregiver, s, Conference, 2024" name="keywords"/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/virginia/northern-virginia-dementia-caregivers-conference-2024" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/northern-virginia-dementia-caregivers-conference-2024-va-2024-11-12.html"/>
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/>
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta name="twitter:description" content="“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern"/>
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/36c203c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1354x870+0+16/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Ff1%2F2c%2Fbe9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96%2Faarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg"/>
<meta property="og:type" content="article"/>
<meta property="og:title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta property="og:description" content="“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern"/>
<meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/36c203c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1354x870+0+16/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Ff1%2F2c%2Fbe9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96%2Faarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg"/>
        :root {
        --primaryColor: #ff1e3c;
        --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a;
        --linkTextColor: #1f66bd;
        --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd;
        --secondaryTextColor: #000000;
        --secondaryColor2: #000000;
        --secondaryColor3: #000000;
        --secondaryColor4: #000000;
        --secondaryColor5: #000000;
        --black: #000000;
        --white: #ffffff;
        --grey: #f0efed;
        --gridGutters: 30px;
        --modulePadding: 60px;
        --pageWidth: 86.11%;
        --maxPageWidth: 1240px;
        --horizontalAlignment: center;
        --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif;
        --headerBackgroundColor:#000000;
        --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF;
        --headerHeight:50px;
        --footerbackgroundColor:#000000;
        --footerTextColor:#918883;
        }'
$title_for_layout = '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP'
$asset_version = '230831'
$min = true
$nowrapper = false
$css = '        :root {
        --primaryColor: #ff1e3c;
        --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a;
        --linkTextColor: #1f66bd;
        --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd;
        --secondaryTextColor: #000000;
        --secondaryColor2: #000000;
        --secondaryColor3: #000000;
        --secondaryColor4: #000000;
        --secondaryColor5: #000000;
        --black: #000000;
        --white: #ffffff;
        --grey: #f0efed;
        --gridGutters: 30px;
        --modulePadding: 60px;
        --pageWidth: 86.11%;
        --maxPageWidth: 1240px;
        --horizontalAlignment: center;
        --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif;
        --headerBackgroundColor:#000000;
        --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF;
        --headerHeight:50px;
        --footerbackgroundColor:#000000;
        --footerTextColor:#918883;
        }'
$highlighting = ''
$location = '<a href="/richmond-va/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Richmond, VA</a>'
$no_header = false
$header_title = '<a href="/richmond-va/happenings/">News Feed</a>'
$header_subtitle = ''
$isPR = false
$navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse">
	<div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div>
	<ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true">
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li>
		<li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more">
			<span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span>
			<ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu">
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li>
				<!--
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li>
				-->
			</ul>
		</li>
		
	</ul>
</nav>'
$header_custom = ''
$breadcrumbs = array(
	(int) 0 => array(
		'title' => 'News Feed',
		'slug' => 'happenings'
	)
)
$row = array(
	'title' => 'Back to News Feed',
	'slug' => 'happenings'
)
$i = (int) 0
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136
BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81
ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ??
Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118

Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]
Code Context
            <?php if (!$nowrapper):  // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box">

	<div>    
		<div class="module-spacer">
			<header><h1 class="article-headline">Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024</h1></header>	
						<div class="posted-on">
				Posted on 11/12/24 
				by <b>Linda Lindberg</b>			</div>
		</div>
		<div class="module-spacer">
			<span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody">
    
        <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/f1/2c/be9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96/aarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 008.jpg" width="1354" height="903" style="height: auto; max-width: 350px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">AARP Virginia Volunteers staff the resource table</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern Virginia Dementia Care Consortium.<br><br>The consortium is an alliance of 10 entities, including AARP Virginia, that present an annual conference to provide education, support, and services to promote the well-being of dementia caregivers.<br><br>“Caregivers have a job that they don’t sign up or train for,” said Jennifer Pauldurai, a neurologist at Inova’s Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center. Caring for someone with dementia can be stressful because the caregiver doesn’t understand why their loved ones act the way they do.<br><br>For dementia patients, stress becomes a self-conscious reaction because the brain is unaware of what is going on around them. “It’s as if they are lost in the woods with no GPS,” said Pauldurai.<br><br>Caregivers need to try to understand the dementia patient’s world, especially identifying stress triggers. The first step is to identify why they are acting the way they are. It’s important to focus on feelings and not facts. “Their reality is not your reality,” Pauldurai said.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="left">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/ca/22/e9fca756419894a7f3d061d254db/aarp-caregivers-program-066.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 066.jpg" width="1420" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Dr. Jennifer Pauldurai, MD</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Signs of stress in dementia patients include anxiety, restlessness or pacing, shadowing or following the caregiver everywhere, suspicion or paranoia, delusions or hallucinations, stubbornness or resistance, wandering, or verbal or physical aggression.<br><br>Pauldurai gave several examples of behavior seen in dementia patients. Delusions and hallucinations, as in seeing other people in the house, are common. Hallucinations may be triggered by something physical, such as a shadow.<br><br>Pauldurai explained that these delusions may be the patient’s way of trying to protect their family and home from intruders. Instead of trying to convince them there is no one present, caregivers should validate the patient’s perspective, saying “thank you for trying to protect me.”<br><br>Another common behavior is waking up early, getting dressed, and leaving the house to go for a walk. The person is probably used to having a routine or schedule, and they are trying to replicate the routine but have no awareness of time.<br><br>Caregivers need to address whether the patient’s basic physical needs are met, including any physical changes in the environment. Dementia patients often feel they are forced to do things against their will. “Words don’t matter as much as the way you say them,” said Pauldurai.<br><br>Some examples of changing the dementia person’s external environment include adjusting temperature and lighting; removing clutter and extra lights that cause shadows; dissolving pills in food or water if the person has trouble taking them; surrounding them with familiar faces and environments as much as possible; and ensuring regular sleep cycles and regular meals and hydration.<br><br>Caregivers may also need to make changes to the person’s internal environment, in collaboration with the person’s physician. Probiotics or prebiotics may help with digestion. Following a diet rich in nuts, berries, fruits, leafy vegetables, water, and low sugar, such as the Mediterranean Diet, may help reduce stress on the brain.<br><br>The dementia caretaking team, said Pauldurai, should work together to accomplish health and safety for the patient. This includes trying to understand the patient’s world and using dementia-friendly language.<br><br>“Practice the five Rs,” said Pauldurai: reassure, reorient, redirect, repeat, and most importantly, respect.<br><br>Pauldurai concluded by urging caregivers to know when they need help and to find the support they need to maintain a healthy work-life balance.<br><br>“When we join together, we make a difference,” said Melanie Bunn, a trainer for Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dd/61/03c84ac3463ea2c462f998598f64/aarp-caregivers-program-128.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 128.jpg" width="1252" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Melanie Bunn, trainer for Positive Approach to Care</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Snow is a dementia expert who developed a set of techniques based on understanding the parts of the brain that are no longer working in dementia patients and engaging the parts that are still active so patients and care partners can experience less stress and resistance and grow their relationships.<br><br>“The prefrontal cortex,” said Bunn, “is the last part of the brain to start working and the first to cause issues due to breakdown.”<br><br>The prefrontal cortex controls impulses, logic, and the ability to make choices. It also controls the ability to start, stay on a task, finish it, and move on. Another control is accurate self-awareness, or the ability to look at a situation and say either “I’ve got this” or “I need help,” along with perspective and the ability to accept when you need help.<br><br>With dementia patients, said Bunn, caretakers must recognize there must be a better way and be the impetus of change to best serve the patient. She also said caretakers must “build a bridge rather than a wall” as they build a caring team to work with the patient.<br><br>Snow’s method uses a GEMS® approach to different stages of brain change, based on the principle that until we see the beauty and value of a person at these different stages, they cannot be supported as they should.<br><br>Each stage is assigned a specific gem. In the sapphire stage, the person is generally fine but slowing down. In the diamond stage, they become harder, more rigid, and less flexible. In the emerald stage, they look to the past and want things to be the way they used to be.<br><br>Amber means caution, and when a patient reaches the amber stage, caretakers need to be cautious about sensations and under or over stimulation. Bunn recommends working to change the environment and giving the patient new things to explore.<br><br>In the ruby stage, the patient often loses motor skills, speech functions and comprehension, and visual awareness. In the final stage, pearl, patients become more hidden in their shells but still have many beautiful layers.<br><br>Bunn urged caretakers to take responsibility for change to help dementia patients at all stages “find their hidden sapphire.”<br><br>When Dr. Nicole Rochester’s late father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, she said it was “like a swift summer storm” that came out of nowhere.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="left">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/e7/37/0f6648204e3cafaa338f6f3063ab/aarp-caregivers-program-155.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 155.jpg" width="1419" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Dr. Nicole Rochester, founder and CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Rochester, founder and CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC, who was working as a pediatrician at the time, was “completely overwhelmed” and unsure how to integrate caregiving into her life.<br><br>Like many caregivers, she initially felt she could do everything herself and needed to learn how to ask for help. Once she communicated her need for help and accepted it, she felt transformed.<br><br>“In reality,” said Rochester, “the caregiving journey is like a maze – there is no roadmap.”<br>Nevertheless, she found many little glimmers of hope throughout the journey. “When the storm clouds start to shift, sometimes you can see a rainbow,” she said.<br><br>“Everyone sees a different rainbow,” said Rochester, but to see one, “the sun must be behind you.”<br><br>Rochester sees rainbows as connections that can restore many good aspects of a relationship, like laughing together over a memory or funny event. This helps caregivers to cherish the special moments when they connect with the dementia patient.<br><br>Rainbows help build resiliency. “Nothing can build strength like a caregiving journey,” said Rochester.<br><br>Rochester’s rainbows also helped illuminate her path to the future, as she ended up leaving her pediatric career to start her own company as an advocate for caregivers.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/84/d7/4a9d7b104cf184c0ec46c9fdbc6e/aarp-caregivers-program-080.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 080.jpg" width="1600" height="1067" style="height: auto; max-width: 350px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Attendees listen to presentations by caregiving experts.</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>The benefits of finding rainbows, said Rochester, are compassion, strength, organization, and resilience.<br><br>“Use your rainbow as a compass for your future to help you find rays of light in your journey,” she said.<br><br><br>Conference attendees had the opportunity to attend break-out sessions on a variety of helpful topics, including financial and legal issues, improving hands-on skills, nutrition, end-of-life care, and virtual reality as a way to explore care. Numerous vendors provided information and resources.</p></div>
    
</div>
</p></span>
		</div>
	</div>

		<p><i>This story is provided by AARP Virginia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/virginia/" target="_blank">AARP Virginia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p>
	
</div>
</div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script>
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css">

<!-- bypass -->
<style>
a:focus, a:hover {
    text-decoration: underline;
}
h1.article-headline {
margin: 0 0 1rem;
}
</style>



<!--
<style>
.Enhancement-item .Figure {
margin-bottom: 24px;
}
.RichTextArticleBody-body ul {
    margin-bottom: 24px;
}
.RichTextArticleBody-body p{
    margin: 12px 0;
}
.RichTextModule-items {
   clear: both;
    display: table;
    width: 100%;
    margin-bottom: 12px;
}
.VideoEnhancement>* {
    color: var(--primaryTextColor);
    font-size: 13px;
    font-weight: 400;
    line-height: 1.4;
    font-style: italic;
    background: #f0efed
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
    .VideoEnhancement>* {
        font-size:14px;
        font-weight: 400;
        line-height: 1.47
    }
}

.VideoEnhancement-title {
    padding: 20px
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
    .VideoEnhancement-title {
        padding:30px
    }
}

.VideoEnhancement-player>* {
    position: relative;
    width: 100%;
    height: 0;
    padding-bottom: 56.25%
}

.VideoEnhancement iframe {
    border: 0;
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%
}
[data-video-player] {
    display: block;
    padding-bottom: 56.25%;
    height: 0;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

[data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] {
    padding-bottom: 56.25%;
}

[data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] {
    padding-bottom: 56.25%
}
</style>
--></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750">
<a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" 
	href="/richmond-va/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" 
	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
</div></div></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default-->
<!-- module_RHS - AARP Events -->

<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
	<header>
		<div class="pull-right">
			<a href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">
				<img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" />
			</a>
		</div>
		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Richmond</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Richmond</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
			<ul class="list">
				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/young-onset-dementia-m4nb3ytc8v9.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-YOUNGONSET-DEMENTIA-AND-ITS-CAUSES">Young-Onset Dementia and its Causes</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Hybrid (Attend Online or In-Person)</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/richmond-caregiving-workshop-znn6v9dtkjp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-RICHMOND-CAREGIVING-WORKSHOP">Richmond Caregiving Workshop</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 9:00&nbsp;a.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">VCU Health Hub at 25th</p>
					<p class="loc">Richmond, VA</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/behind-the-headstones-amazing-stories-of-heroes-at-arlington-national-cemetery-part-2-fdn4vmhwzy4.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-BEHIND-THE-HEADSTONES-PART-2-HEROES-AT-ARLINGTON-NATIONAL-CEMETERY">Behind the Headstones Part 2: Heroes at Arlington National Cemetery</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 3:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div>
	<ul class="list">
		<li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li>
		<li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li>
		<li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li>
		<li>FREE second membership</li>
	</ul>
	<div class="action">
		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RICHMOND-VA">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RICHMOND-VA">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
	</div>
</div>
<style>
.membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;}
.membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; }
</style>
<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="module-spacer text-center">
<div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Virginia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Virginia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true">
	<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia">Facebook</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>

 
<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP<br />Virginia</h2>
</header>
<div class="wrap">

<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:VAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VAAARP@aarp.org</a></li>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/virginia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Virginia</a></li>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/contact-aarp-virginia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-RICHMOND-VA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>


</ul>
</div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://twitter.com/aarpVa" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a>



</div>
</div>

</div></div>
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div>
</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar -->
	<script type="text/javascript">
		jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() {
			window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href');
		});
	</script>
</div>
</div>
',
	'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024</title>
<meta name="page_title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/>
<meta content="AARP Virginia Volunteers staff the resource table “Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th" name="description"/>
<meta content="Northern, Virginia, Dementia, Caregiver, s, Conference, 2024" name="keywords"/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/virginia/northern-virginia-dementia-caregivers-conference-2024" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/northern-virginia-dementia-caregivers-conference-2024-va-2024-11-12.html"/>
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/>
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta name="twitter:description" content="“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern"/>
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/36c203c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1354x870+0+16/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Ff1%2F2c%2Fbe9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96%2Faarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg"/>
<meta property="og:type" content="article"/>
<meta property="og:title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta property="og:description" content="“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern"/>
<meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/36c203c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1354x870+0+16/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Ff1%2F2c%2Fbe9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96%2Faarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg"/>
        :root {
        --primaryColor: #ff1e3c;
        --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a;
        --linkTextColor: #1f66bd;
        --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd;
        --secondaryTextColor: #000000;
        --secondaryColor2: #000000;
        --secondaryColor3: #000000;
        --secondaryColor4: #000000;
        --secondaryColor5: #000000;
        --black: #000000;
        --white: #ffffff;
        --grey: #f0efed;
        --gridGutters: 30px;
        --modulePadding: 60px;
        --pageWidth: 86.11%;
        --maxPageWidth: 1240px;
        --horizontalAlignment: center;
        --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif;
        --headerBackgroundColor:#000000;
        --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF;
        --headerHeight:50px;
        --footerbackgroundColor:#000000;
        --footerTextColor:#918883;
        }',
	'title_for_layout' => '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP'
)
$content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box">

	<div>    
		<div class="module-spacer">
			<header><h1 class="article-headline">Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024</h1></header>	
						<div class="posted-on">
				Posted on 11/12/24 
				by <b>Linda Lindberg</b>			</div>
		</div>
		<div class="module-spacer">
			<span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody">
    
        <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/f1/2c/be9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96/aarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 008.jpg" width="1354" height="903" style="height: auto; max-width: 350px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">AARP Virginia Volunteers staff the resource table</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern Virginia Dementia Care Consortium.<br><br>The consortium is an alliance of 10 entities, including AARP Virginia, that present an annual conference to provide education, support, and services to promote the well-being of dementia caregivers.<br><br>“Caregivers have a job that they don’t sign up or train for,” said Jennifer Pauldurai, a neurologist at Inova’s Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center. Caring for someone with dementia can be stressful because the caregiver doesn’t understand why their loved ones act the way they do.<br><br>For dementia patients, stress becomes a self-conscious reaction because the brain is unaware of what is going on around them. “It’s as if they are lost in the woods with no GPS,” said Pauldurai.<br><br>Caregivers need to try to understand the dementia patient’s world, especially identifying stress triggers. The first step is to identify why they are acting the way they are. It’s important to focus on feelings and not facts. “Their reality is not your reality,” Pauldurai said.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="left">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/ca/22/e9fca756419894a7f3d061d254db/aarp-caregivers-program-066.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 066.jpg" width="1420" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Dr. Jennifer Pauldurai, MD</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Signs of stress in dementia patients include anxiety, restlessness or pacing, shadowing or following the caregiver everywhere, suspicion or paranoia, delusions or hallucinations, stubbornness or resistance, wandering, or verbal or physical aggression.<br><br>Pauldurai gave several examples of behavior seen in dementia patients. Delusions and hallucinations, as in seeing other people in the house, are common. Hallucinations may be triggered by something physical, such as a shadow.<br><br>Pauldurai explained that these delusions may be the patient’s way of trying to protect their family and home from intruders. Instead of trying to convince them there is no one present, caregivers should validate the patient’s perspective, saying “thank you for trying to protect me.”<br><br>Another common behavior is waking up early, getting dressed, and leaving the house to go for a walk. The person is probably used to having a routine or schedule, and they are trying to replicate the routine but have no awareness of time.<br><br>Caregivers need to address whether the patient’s basic physical needs are met, including any physical changes in the environment. Dementia patients often feel they are forced to do things against their will. “Words don’t matter as much as the way you say them,” said Pauldurai.<br><br>Some examples of changing the dementia person’s external environment include adjusting temperature and lighting; removing clutter and extra lights that cause shadows; dissolving pills in food or water if the person has trouble taking them; surrounding them with familiar faces and environments as much as possible; and ensuring regular sleep cycles and regular meals and hydration.<br><br>Caregivers may also need to make changes to the person’s internal environment, in collaboration with the person’s physician. Probiotics or prebiotics may help with digestion. Following a diet rich in nuts, berries, fruits, leafy vegetables, water, and low sugar, such as the Mediterranean Diet, may help reduce stress on the brain.<br><br>The dementia caretaking team, said Pauldurai, should work together to accomplish health and safety for the patient. This includes trying to understand the patient’s world and using dementia-friendly language.<br><br>“Practice the five Rs,” said Pauldurai: reassure, reorient, redirect, repeat, and most importantly, respect.<br><br>Pauldurai concluded by urging caregivers to know when they need help and to find the support they need to maintain a healthy work-life balance.<br><br>“When we join together, we make a difference,” said Melanie Bunn, a trainer for Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dd/61/03c84ac3463ea2c462f998598f64/aarp-caregivers-program-128.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 128.jpg" width="1252" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Melanie Bunn, trainer for Positive Approach to Care</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Snow is a dementia expert who developed a set of techniques based on understanding the parts of the brain that are no longer working in dementia patients and engaging the parts that are still active so patients and care partners can experience less stress and resistance and grow their relationships.<br><br>“The prefrontal cortex,” said Bunn, “is the last part of the brain to start working and the first to cause issues due to breakdown.”<br><br>The prefrontal cortex controls impulses, logic, and the ability to make choices. It also controls the ability to start, stay on a task, finish it, and move on. Another control is accurate self-awareness, or the ability to look at a situation and say either “I’ve got this” or “I need help,” along with perspective and the ability to accept when you need help.<br><br>With dementia patients, said Bunn, caretakers must recognize there must be a better way and be the impetus of change to best serve the patient. She also said caretakers must “build a bridge rather than a wall” as they build a caring team to work with the patient.<br><br>Snow’s method uses a GEMS® approach to different stages of brain change, based on the principle that until we see the beauty and value of a person at these different stages, they cannot be supported as they should.<br><br>Each stage is assigned a specific gem. In the sapphire stage, the person is generally fine but slowing down. In the diamond stage, they become harder, more rigid, and less flexible. In the emerald stage, they look to the past and want things to be the way they used to be.<br><br>Amber means caution, and when a patient reaches the amber stage, caretakers need to be cautious about sensations and under or over stimulation. Bunn recommends working to change the environment and giving the patient new things to explore.<br><br>In the ruby stage, the patient often loses motor skills, speech functions and comprehension, and visual awareness. In the final stage, pearl, patients become more hidden in their shells but still have many beautiful layers.<br><br>Bunn urged caretakers to take responsibility for change to help dementia patients at all stages “find their hidden sapphire.”<br><br>When Dr. Nicole Rochester’s late father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, she said it was “like a swift summer storm” that came out of nowhere.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="left">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/e7/37/0f6648204e3cafaa338f6f3063ab/aarp-caregivers-program-155.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 155.jpg" width="1419" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Dr. Nicole Rochester, founder and CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Rochester, founder and CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC, who was working as a pediatrician at the time, was “completely overwhelmed” and unsure how to integrate caregiving into her life.<br><br>Like many caregivers, she initially felt she could do everything herself and needed to learn how to ask for help. Once she communicated her need for help and accepted it, she felt transformed.<br><br>“In reality,” said Rochester, “the caregiving journey is like a maze – there is no roadmap.”<br>Nevertheless, she found many little glimmers of hope throughout the journey. “When the storm clouds start to shift, sometimes you can see a rainbow,” she said.<br><br>“Everyone sees a different rainbow,” said Rochester, but to see one, “the sun must be behind you.”<br><br>Rochester sees rainbows as connections that can restore many good aspects of a relationship, like laughing together over a memory or funny event. This helps caregivers to cherish the special moments when they connect with the dementia patient.<br><br>Rainbows help build resiliency. “Nothing can build strength like a caregiving journey,” said Rochester.<br><br>Rochester’s rainbows also helped illuminate her path to the future, as she ended up leaving her pediatric career to start her own company as an advocate for caregivers.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/84/d7/4a9d7b104cf184c0ec46c9fdbc6e/aarp-caregivers-program-080.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 080.jpg" width="1600" height="1067" style="height: auto; max-width: 350px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Attendees listen to presentations by caregiving experts.</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>The benefits of finding rainbows, said Rochester, are compassion, strength, organization, and resilience.<br><br>“Use your rainbow as a compass for your future to help you find rays of light in your journey,” she said.<br><br><br>Conference attendees had the opportunity to attend break-out sessions on a variety of helpful topics, including financial and legal issues, improving hands-on skills, nutrition, end-of-life care, and virtual reality as a way to explore care. Numerous vendors provided information and resources.</p></div>
    
</div>
</p></span>
		</div>
	</div>

		<p><i>This story is provided by AARP Virginia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/virginia/" target="_blank">AARP Virginia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p>
	
</div>
</div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script>
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css">

<!-- bypass -->
<style>
a:focus, a:hover {
    text-decoration: underline;
}
h1.article-headline {
margin: 0 0 1rem;
}
</style>



<!--
<style>
.Enhancement-item .Figure {
margin-bottom: 24px;
}
.RichTextArticleBody-body ul {
    margin-bottom: 24px;
}
.RichTextArticleBody-body p{
    margin: 12px 0;
}
.RichTextModule-items {
   clear: both;
    display: table;
    width: 100%;
    margin-bottom: 12px;
}
.VideoEnhancement>* {
    color: var(--primaryTextColor);
    font-size: 13px;
    font-weight: 400;
    line-height: 1.4;
    font-style: italic;
    background: #f0efed
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
    .VideoEnhancement>* {
        font-size:14px;
        font-weight: 400;
        line-height: 1.47
    }
}

.VideoEnhancement-title {
    padding: 20px
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
    .VideoEnhancement-title {
        padding:30px
    }
}

.VideoEnhancement-player>* {
    position: relative;
    width: 100%;
    height: 0;
    padding-bottom: 56.25%
}

.VideoEnhancement iframe {
    border: 0;
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%
}
[data-video-player] {
    display: block;
    padding-bottom: 56.25%;
    height: 0;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

[data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] {
    padding-bottom: 56.25%;
}

[data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] {
    padding-bottom: 56.25%
}
</style>
--></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750">
<a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" 
	href="/richmond-va/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" 
	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
</div></div></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default-->
<!-- module_RHS - AARP Events -->

<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
	<header>
		<div class="pull-right">
			<a href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">
				<img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" />
			</a>
		</div>
		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Richmond</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Richmond</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
			<ul class="list">
				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/young-onset-dementia-m4nb3ytc8v9.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-YOUNGONSET-DEMENTIA-AND-ITS-CAUSES">Young-Onset Dementia and its Causes</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Hybrid (Attend Online or In-Person)</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/richmond-caregiving-workshop-znn6v9dtkjp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-RICHMOND-CAREGIVING-WORKSHOP">Richmond Caregiving Workshop</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 9:00&nbsp;a.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">VCU Health Hub at 25th</p>
					<p class="loc">Richmond, VA</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/behind-the-headstones-amazing-stories-of-heroes-at-arlington-national-cemetery-part-2-fdn4vmhwzy4.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-BEHIND-THE-HEADSTONES-PART-2-HEROES-AT-ARLINGTON-NATIONAL-CEMETERY">Behind the Headstones Part 2: Heroes at Arlington National Cemetery</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 3:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div>
	<ul class="list">
		<li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li>
		<li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li>
		<li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li>
		<li>FREE second membership</li>
	</ul>
	<div class="action">
		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RICHMOND-VA">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RICHMOND-VA">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
	</div>
</div>
<style>
.membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;}
.membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; }
</style>
<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="module-spacer text-center">
<div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Virginia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Virginia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true">
	<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia">Facebook</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>

 
<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP<br />Virginia</h2>
</header>
<div class="wrap">

<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:VAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VAAARP@aarp.org</a></li>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/virginia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Virginia</a></li>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/contact-aarp-virginia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-RICHMOND-VA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>


</ul>
</div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://twitter.com/aarpVa" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a>



</div>
</div>

</div></div>
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div>
</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar -->
	<script type="text/javascript">
		jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() {
			window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href');
		});
	</script>
</div>
</div>
'
$scripts_for_layout = '<title>Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024</title>
<meta name="page_title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/>
<meta content="AARP Virginia Volunteers staff the resource table “Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th" name="description"/>
<meta content="Northern, Virginia, Dementia, Caregiver, s, Conference, 2024" name="keywords"/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/virginia/northern-virginia-dementia-caregivers-conference-2024" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/northern-virginia-dementia-caregivers-conference-2024-va-2024-11-12.html"/>
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/>
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta name="twitter:description" content="“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern"/>
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/36c203c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1354x870+0+16/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Ff1%2F2c%2Fbe9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96%2Faarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg"/>
<meta property="og:type" content="article"/>
<meta property="og:title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta property="og:description" content="“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern"/>
<meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/36c203c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1354x870+0+16/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Ff1%2F2c%2Fbe9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96%2Faarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg"/>
        :root {
        --primaryColor: #ff1e3c;
        --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a;
        --linkTextColor: #1f66bd;
        --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd;
        --secondaryTextColor: #000000;
        --secondaryColor2: #000000;
        --secondaryColor3: #000000;
        --secondaryColor4: #000000;
        --secondaryColor5: #000000;
        --black: #000000;
        --white: #ffffff;
        --grey: #f0efed;
        --gridGutters: 30px;
        --modulePadding: 60px;
        --pageWidth: 86.11%;
        --maxPageWidth: 1240px;
        --horizontalAlignment: center;
        --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif;
        --headerBackgroundColor:#000000;
        --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF;
        --headerHeight:50px;
        --footerbackgroundColor:#000000;
        --footerTextColor:#918883;
        }'
$title_for_layout = '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP'
$asset_version = '230831'
$min = true
$nowrapper = false
$css = '        :root {
        --primaryColor: #ff1e3c;
        --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a;
        --linkTextColor: #1f66bd;
        --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd;
        --secondaryTextColor: #000000;
        --secondaryColor2: #000000;
        --secondaryColor3: #000000;
        --secondaryColor4: #000000;
        --secondaryColor5: #000000;
        --black: #000000;
        --white: #ffffff;
        --grey: #f0efed;
        --gridGutters: 30px;
        --modulePadding: 60px;
        --pageWidth: 86.11%;
        --maxPageWidth: 1240px;
        --horizontalAlignment: center;
        --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif;
        --headerBackgroundColor:#000000;
        --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF;
        --headerHeight:50px;
        --footerbackgroundColor:#000000;
        --footerTextColor:#918883;
        }'
$highlighting = ''
$location = '<a href="/richmond-va/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Richmond, VA</a>'
$no_header = false
$header_title = '<a href="/richmond-va/happenings/">News Feed</a>'
$header_subtitle = ''
$isPR = false
$navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse">
	<div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div>
	<ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true">
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li>
		<li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more">
			<span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span>
			<ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu">
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li>
				<!--
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li>
				-->
			</ul>
		</li>
		
	</ul>
</nav>'
$header_custom = ''
$breadcrumbs = array(
	(int) 0 => array(
		'title' => 'News Feed',
		'slug' => 'happenings'
	)
)
$row = array(
	'title' => 'Back to News Feed',
	'slug' => 'happenings'
)
$i = (int) 0
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136
BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81
ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ??
Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118

Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]
Code Context
            <?php if (!$nowrapper):  // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box">

	<div>    
		<div class="module-spacer">
			<header><h1 class="article-headline">Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024</h1></header>	
						<div class="posted-on">
				Posted on 11/12/24 
				by <b>Linda Lindberg</b>			</div>
		</div>
		<div class="module-spacer">
			<span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody">
    
        <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/f1/2c/be9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96/aarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 008.jpg" width="1354" height="903" style="height: auto; max-width: 350px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">AARP Virginia Volunteers staff the resource table</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern Virginia Dementia Care Consortium.<br><br>The consortium is an alliance of 10 entities, including AARP Virginia, that present an annual conference to provide education, support, and services to promote the well-being of dementia caregivers.<br><br>“Caregivers have a job that they don’t sign up or train for,” said Jennifer Pauldurai, a neurologist at Inova’s Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center. Caring for someone with dementia can be stressful because the caregiver doesn’t understand why their loved ones act the way they do.<br><br>For dementia patients, stress becomes a self-conscious reaction because the brain is unaware of what is going on around them. “It’s as if they are lost in the woods with no GPS,” said Pauldurai.<br><br>Caregivers need to try to understand the dementia patient’s world, especially identifying stress triggers. The first step is to identify why they are acting the way they are. It’s important to focus on feelings and not facts. “Their reality is not your reality,” Pauldurai said.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="left">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/ca/22/e9fca756419894a7f3d061d254db/aarp-caregivers-program-066.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 066.jpg" width="1420" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Dr. Jennifer Pauldurai, MD</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Signs of stress in dementia patients include anxiety, restlessness or pacing, shadowing or following the caregiver everywhere, suspicion or paranoia, delusions or hallucinations, stubbornness or resistance, wandering, or verbal or physical aggression.<br><br>Pauldurai gave several examples of behavior seen in dementia patients. Delusions and hallucinations, as in seeing other people in the house, are common. Hallucinations may be triggered by something physical, such as a shadow.<br><br>Pauldurai explained that these delusions may be the patient’s way of trying to protect their family and home from intruders. Instead of trying to convince them there is no one present, caregivers should validate the patient’s perspective, saying “thank you for trying to protect me.”<br><br>Another common behavior is waking up early, getting dressed, and leaving the house to go for a walk. The person is probably used to having a routine or schedule, and they are trying to replicate the routine but have no awareness of time.<br><br>Caregivers need to address whether the patient’s basic physical needs are met, including any physical changes in the environment. Dementia patients often feel they are forced to do things against their will. “Words don’t matter as much as the way you say them,” said Pauldurai.<br><br>Some examples of changing the dementia person’s external environment include adjusting temperature and lighting; removing clutter and extra lights that cause shadows; dissolving pills in food or water if the person has trouble taking them; surrounding them with familiar faces and environments as much as possible; and ensuring regular sleep cycles and regular meals and hydration.<br><br>Caregivers may also need to make changes to the person’s internal environment, in collaboration with the person’s physician. Probiotics or prebiotics may help with digestion. Following a diet rich in nuts, berries, fruits, leafy vegetables, water, and low sugar, such as the Mediterranean Diet, may help reduce stress on the brain.<br><br>The dementia caretaking team, said Pauldurai, should work together to accomplish health and safety for the patient. This includes trying to understand the patient’s world and using dementia-friendly language.<br><br>“Practice the five Rs,” said Pauldurai: reassure, reorient, redirect, repeat, and most importantly, respect.<br><br>Pauldurai concluded by urging caregivers to know when they need help and to find the support they need to maintain a healthy work-life balance.<br><br>“When we join together, we make a difference,” said Melanie Bunn, a trainer for Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dd/61/03c84ac3463ea2c462f998598f64/aarp-caregivers-program-128.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 128.jpg" width="1252" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Melanie Bunn, trainer for Positive Approach to Care</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Snow is a dementia expert who developed a set of techniques based on understanding the parts of the brain that are no longer working in dementia patients and engaging the parts that are still active so patients and care partners can experience less stress and resistance and grow their relationships.<br><br>“The prefrontal cortex,” said Bunn, “is the last part of the brain to start working and the first to cause issues due to breakdown.”<br><br>The prefrontal cortex controls impulses, logic, and the ability to make choices. It also controls the ability to start, stay on a task, finish it, and move on. Another control is accurate self-awareness, or the ability to look at a situation and say either “I’ve got this” or “I need help,” along with perspective and the ability to accept when you need help.<br><br>With dementia patients, said Bunn, caretakers must recognize there must be a better way and be the impetus of change to best serve the patient. She also said caretakers must “build a bridge rather than a wall” as they build a caring team to work with the patient.<br><br>Snow’s method uses a GEMS® approach to different stages of brain change, based on the principle that until we see the beauty and value of a person at these different stages, they cannot be supported as they should.<br><br>Each stage is assigned a specific gem. In the sapphire stage, the person is generally fine but slowing down. In the diamond stage, they become harder, more rigid, and less flexible. In the emerald stage, they look to the past and want things to be the way they used to be.<br><br>Amber means caution, and when a patient reaches the amber stage, caretakers need to be cautious about sensations and under or over stimulation. Bunn recommends working to change the environment and giving the patient new things to explore.<br><br>In the ruby stage, the patient often loses motor skills, speech functions and comprehension, and visual awareness. In the final stage, pearl, patients become more hidden in their shells but still have many beautiful layers.<br><br>Bunn urged caretakers to take responsibility for change to help dementia patients at all stages “find their hidden sapphire.”<br><br>When Dr. Nicole Rochester’s late father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, she said it was “like a swift summer storm” that came out of nowhere.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="left">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/e7/37/0f6648204e3cafaa338f6f3063ab/aarp-caregivers-program-155.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 155.jpg" width="1419" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Dr. Nicole Rochester, founder and CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Rochester, founder and CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC, who was working as a pediatrician at the time, was “completely overwhelmed” and unsure how to integrate caregiving into her life.<br><br>Like many caregivers, she initially felt she could do everything herself and needed to learn how to ask for help. Once she communicated her need for help and accepted it, she felt transformed.<br><br>“In reality,” said Rochester, “the caregiving journey is like a maze – there is no roadmap.”<br>Nevertheless, she found many little glimmers of hope throughout the journey. “When the storm clouds start to shift, sometimes you can see a rainbow,” she said.<br><br>“Everyone sees a different rainbow,” said Rochester, but to see one, “the sun must be behind you.”<br><br>Rochester sees rainbows as connections that can restore many good aspects of a relationship, like laughing together over a memory or funny event. This helps caregivers to cherish the special moments when they connect with the dementia patient.<br><br>Rainbows help build resiliency. “Nothing can build strength like a caregiving journey,” said Rochester.<br><br>Rochester’s rainbows also helped illuminate her path to the future, as she ended up leaving her pediatric career to start her own company as an advocate for caregivers.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/84/d7/4a9d7b104cf184c0ec46c9fdbc6e/aarp-caregivers-program-080.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 080.jpg" width="1600" height="1067" style="height: auto; max-width: 350px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Attendees listen to presentations by caregiving experts.</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>The benefits of finding rainbows, said Rochester, are compassion, strength, organization, and resilience.<br><br>“Use your rainbow as a compass for your future to help you find rays of light in your journey,” she said.<br><br><br>Conference attendees had the opportunity to attend break-out sessions on a variety of helpful topics, including financial and legal issues, improving hands-on skills, nutrition, end-of-life care, and virtual reality as a way to explore care. Numerous vendors provided information and resources.</p></div>
    
</div>
</p></span>
		</div>
	</div>

		<p><i>This story is provided by AARP Virginia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/virginia/" target="_blank">AARP Virginia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p>
	
</div>
</div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script>
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css">

<!-- bypass -->
<style>
a:focus, a:hover {
    text-decoration: underline;
}
h1.article-headline {
margin: 0 0 1rem;
}
</style>



<!--
<style>
.Enhancement-item .Figure {
margin-bottom: 24px;
}
.RichTextArticleBody-body ul {
    margin-bottom: 24px;
}
.RichTextArticleBody-body p{
    margin: 12px 0;
}
.RichTextModule-items {
   clear: both;
    display: table;
    width: 100%;
    margin-bottom: 12px;
}
.VideoEnhancement>* {
    color: var(--primaryTextColor);
    font-size: 13px;
    font-weight: 400;
    line-height: 1.4;
    font-style: italic;
    background: #f0efed
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
    .VideoEnhancement>* {
        font-size:14px;
        font-weight: 400;
        line-height: 1.47
    }
}

.VideoEnhancement-title {
    padding: 20px
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
    .VideoEnhancement-title {
        padding:30px
    }
}

.VideoEnhancement-player>* {
    position: relative;
    width: 100%;
    height: 0;
    padding-bottom: 56.25%
}

.VideoEnhancement iframe {
    border: 0;
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%
}
[data-video-player] {
    display: block;
    padding-bottom: 56.25%;
    height: 0;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

[data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] {
    padding-bottom: 56.25%;
}

[data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] {
    padding-bottom: 56.25%
}
</style>
--></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750">
<a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" 
	href="/richmond-va/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" 
	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
</div></div></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default-->
<!-- module_RHS - AARP Events -->

<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
	<header>
		<div class="pull-right">
			<a href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">
				<img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" />
			</a>
		</div>
		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Richmond</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Richmond</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
			<ul class="list">
				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/young-onset-dementia-m4nb3ytc8v9.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-YOUNGONSET-DEMENTIA-AND-ITS-CAUSES">Young-Onset Dementia and its Causes</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Hybrid (Attend Online or In-Person)</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/richmond-caregiving-workshop-znn6v9dtkjp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-RICHMOND-CAREGIVING-WORKSHOP">Richmond Caregiving Workshop</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 9:00&nbsp;a.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">VCU Health Hub at 25th</p>
					<p class="loc">Richmond, VA</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/behind-the-headstones-amazing-stories-of-heroes-at-arlington-national-cemetery-part-2-fdn4vmhwzy4.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-BEHIND-THE-HEADSTONES-PART-2-HEROES-AT-ARLINGTON-NATIONAL-CEMETERY">Behind the Headstones Part 2: Heroes at Arlington National Cemetery</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 3:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div>
	<ul class="list">
		<li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li>
		<li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li>
		<li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li>
		<li>FREE second membership</li>
	</ul>
	<div class="action">
		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RICHMOND-VA">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RICHMOND-VA">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
	</div>
</div>
<style>
.membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;}
.membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; }
</style>
<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="module-spacer text-center">
<div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Virginia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Virginia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true">
	<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia">Facebook</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>

 
<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP<br />Virginia</h2>
</header>
<div class="wrap">

<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:VAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VAAARP@aarp.org</a></li>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/virginia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Virginia</a></li>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/contact-aarp-virginia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-RICHMOND-VA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>


</ul>
</div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://twitter.com/aarpVa" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a>



</div>
</div>

</div></div>
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div>
</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar -->
	<script type="text/javascript">
		jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() {
			window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href');
		});
	</script>
</div>
</div>
',
	'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024</title>
<meta name="page_title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/>
<meta content="AARP Virginia Volunteers staff the resource table “Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th" name="description"/>
<meta content="Northern, Virginia, Dementia, Caregiver, s, Conference, 2024" name="keywords"/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/virginia/northern-virginia-dementia-caregivers-conference-2024" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/northern-virginia-dementia-caregivers-conference-2024-va-2024-11-12.html"/>
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/>
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta name="twitter:description" content="“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern"/>
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/36c203c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1354x870+0+16/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Ff1%2F2c%2Fbe9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96%2Faarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg"/>
<meta property="og:type" content="article"/>
<meta property="og:title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta property="og:description" content="“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern"/>
<meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/36c203c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1354x870+0+16/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Ff1%2F2c%2Fbe9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96%2Faarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg"/>
        :root {
        --primaryColor: #ff1e3c;
        --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a;
        --linkTextColor: #1f66bd;
        --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd;
        --secondaryTextColor: #000000;
        --secondaryColor2: #000000;
        --secondaryColor3: #000000;
        --secondaryColor4: #000000;
        --secondaryColor5: #000000;
        --black: #000000;
        --white: #ffffff;
        --grey: #f0efed;
        --gridGutters: 30px;
        --modulePadding: 60px;
        --pageWidth: 86.11%;
        --maxPageWidth: 1240px;
        --horizontalAlignment: center;
        --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif;
        --headerBackgroundColor:#000000;
        --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF;
        --headerHeight:50px;
        --footerbackgroundColor:#000000;
        --footerTextColor:#918883;
        }',
	'title_for_layout' => '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP'
)
$content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box">

	<div>    
		<div class="module-spacer">
			<header><h1 class="article-headline">Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024</h1></header>	
						<div class="posted-on">
				Posted on 11/12/24 
				by <b>Linda Lindberg</b>			</div>
		</div>
		<div class="module-spacer">
			<span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody">
    
        <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/f1/2c/be9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96/aarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 008.jpg" width="1354" height="903" style="height: auto; max-width: 350px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">AARP Virginia Volunteers staff the resource table</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern Virginia Dementia Care Consortium.<br><br>The consortium is an alliance of 10 entities, including AARP Virginia, that present an annual conference to provide education, support, and services to promote the well-being of dementia caregivers.<br><br>“Caregivers have a job that they don’t sign up or train for,” said Jennifer Pauldurai, a neurologist at Inova’s Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center. Caring for someone with dementia can be stressful because the caregiver doesn’t understand why their loved ones act the way they do.<br><br>For dementia patients, stress becomes a self-conscious reaction because the brain is unaware of what is going on around them. “It’s as if they are lost in the woods with no GPS,” said Pauldurai.<br><br>Caregivers need to try to understand the dementia patient’s world, especially identifying stress triggers. The first step is to identify why they are acting the way they are. It’s important to focus on feelings and not facts. “Their reality is not your reality,” Pauldurai said.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="left">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/ca/22/e9fca756419894a7f3d061d254db/aarp-caregivers-program-066.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 066.jpg" width="1420" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Dr. Jennifer Pauldurai, MD</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Signs of stress in dementia patients include anxiety, restlessness or pacing, shadowing or following the caregiver everywhere, suspicion or paranoia, delusions or hallucinations, stubbornness or resistance, wandering, or verbal or physical aggression.<br><br>Pauldurai gave several examples of behavior seen in dementia patients. Delusions and hallucinations, as in seeing other people in the house, are common. Hallucinations may be triggered by something physical, such as a shadow.<br><br>Pauldurai explained that these delusions may be the patient’s way of trying to protect their family and home from intruders. Instead of trying to convince them there is no one present, caregivers should validate the patient’s perspective, saying “thank you for trying to protect me.”<br><br>Another common behavior is waking up early, getting dressed, and leaving the house to go for a walk. The person is probably used to having a routine or schedule, and they are trying to replicate the routine but have no awareness of time.<br><br>Caregivers need to address whether the patient’s basic physical needs are met, including any physical changes in the environment. Dementia patients often feel they are forced to do things against their will. “Words don’t matter as much as the way you say them,” said Pauldurai.<br><br>Some examples of changing the dementia person’s external environment include adjusting temperature and lighting; removing clutter and extra lights that cause shadows; dissolving pills in food or water if the person has trouble taking them; surrounding them with familiar faces and environments as much as possible; and ensuring regular sleep cycles and regular meals and hydration.<br><br>Caregivers may also need to make changes to the person’s internal environment, in collaboration with the person’s physician. Probiotics or prebiotics may help with digestion. Following a diet rich in nuts, berries, fruits, leafy vegetables, water, and low sugar, such as the Mediterranean Diet, may help reduce stress on the brain.<br><br>The dementia caretaking team, said Pauldurai, should work together to accomplish health and safety for the patient. This includes trying to understand the patient’s world and using dementia-friendly language.<br><br>“Practice the five Rs,” said Pauldurai: reassure, reorient, redirect, repeat, and most importantly, respect.<br><br>Pauldurai concluded by urging caregivers to know when they need help and to find the support they need to maintain a healthy work-life balance.<br><br>“When we join together, we make a difference,” said Melanie Bunn, a trainer for Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dd/61/03c84ac3463ea2c462f998598f64/aarp-caregivers-program-128.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 128.jpg" width="1252" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Melanie Bunn, trainer for Positive Approach to Care</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Snow is a dementia expert who developed a set of techniques based on understanding the parts of the brain that are no longer working in dementia patients and engaging the parts that are still active so patients and care partners can experience less stress and resistance and grow their relationships.<br><br>“The prefrontal cortex,” said Bunn, “is the last part of the brain to start working and the first to cause issues due to breakdown.”<br><br>The prefrontal cortex controls impulses, logic, and the ability to make choices. It also controls the ability to start, stay on a task, finish it, and move on. Another control is accurate self-awareness, or the ability to look at a situation and say either “I’ve got this” or “I need help,” along with perspective and the ability to accept when you need help.<br><br>With dementia patients, said Bunn, caretakers must recognize there must be a better way and be the impetus of change to best serve the patient. She also said caretakers must “build a bridge rather than a wall” as they build a caring team to work with the patient.<br><br>Snow’s method uses a GEMS® approach to different stages of brain change, based on the principle that until we see the beauty and value of a person at these different stages, they cannot be supported as they should.<br><br>Each stage is assigned a specific gem. In the sapphire stage, the person is generally fine but slowing down. In the diamond stage, they become harder, more rigid, and less flexible. In the emerald stage, they look to the past and want things to be the way they used to be.<br><br>Amber means caution, and when a patient reaches the amber stage, caretakers need to be cautious about sensations and under or over stimulation. Bunn recommends working to change the environment and giving the patient new things to explore.<br><br>In the ruby stage, the patient often loses motor skills, speech functions and comprehension, and visual awareness. In the final stage, pearl, patients become more hidden in their shells but still have many beautiful layers.<br><br>Bunn urged caretakers to take responsibility for change to help dementia patients at all stages “find their hidden sapphire.”<br><br>When Dr. Nicole Rochester’s late father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, she said it was “like a swift summer storm” that came out of nowhere.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="left">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/e7/37/0f6648204e3cafaa338f6f3063ab/aarp-caregivers-program-155.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 155.jpg" width="1419" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Dr. Nicole Rochester, founder and CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Rochester, founder and CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC, who was working as a pediatrician at the time, was “completely overwhelmed” and unsure how to integrate caregiving into her life.<br><br>Like many caregivers, she initially felt she could do everything herself and needed to learn how to ask for help. Once she communicated her need for help and accepted it, she felt transformed.<br><br>“In reality,” said Rochester, “the caregiving journey is like a maze – there is no roadmap.”<br>Nevertheless, she found many little glimmers of hope throughout the journey. “When the storm clouds start to shift, sometimes you can see a rainbow,” she said.<br><br>“Everyone sees a different rainbow,” said Rochester, but to see one, “the sun must be behind you.”<br><br>Rochester sees rainbows as connections that can restore many good aspects of a relationship, like laughing together over a memory or funny event. This helps caregivers to cherish the special moments when they connect with the dementia patient.<br><br>Rainbows help build resiliency. “Nothing can build strength like a caregiving journey,” said Rochester.<br><br>Rochester’s rainbows also helped illuminate her path to the future, as she ended up leaving her pediatric career to start her own company as an advocate for caregivers.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/84/d7/4a9d7b104cf184c0ec46c9fdbc6e/aarp-caregivers-program-080.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 080.jpg" width="1600" height="1067" style="height: auto; max-width: 350px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Attendees listen to presentations by caregiving experts.</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>The benefits of finding rainbows, said Rochester, are compassion, strength, organization, and resilience.<br><br>“Use your rainbow as a compass for your future to help you find rays of light in your journey,” she said.<br><br><br>Conference attendees had the opportunity to attend break-out sessions on a variety of helpful topics, including financial and legal issues, improving hands-on skills, nutrition, end-of-life care, and virtual reality as a way to explore care. Numerous vendors provided information and resources.</p></div>
    
</div>
</p></span>
		</div>
	</div>

		<p><i>This story is provided by AARP Virginia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/virginia/" target="_blank">AARP Virginia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p>
	
</div>
</div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script>
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css">

<!-- bypass -->
<style>
a:focus, a:hover {
    text-decoration: underline;
}
h1.article-headline {
margin: 0 0 1rem;
}
</style>



<!--
<style>
.Enhancement-item .Figure {
margin-bottom: 24px;
}
.RichTextArticleBody-body ul {
    margin-bottom: 24px;
}
.RichTextArticleBody-body p{
    margin: 12px 0;
}
.RichTextModule-items {
   clear: both;
    display: table;
    width: 100%;
    margin-bottom: 12px;
}
.VideoEnhancement>* {
    color: var(--primaryTextColor);
    font-size: 13px;
    font-weight: 400;
    line-height: 1.4;
    font-style: italic;
    background: #f0efed
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
    .VideoEnhancement>* {
        font-size:14px;
        font-weight: 400;
        line-height: 1.47
    }
}

.VideoEnhancement-title {
    padding: 20px
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
    .VideoEnhancement-title {
        padding:30px
    }
}

.VideoEnhancement-player>* {
    position: relative;
    width: 100%;
    height: 0;
    padding-bottom: 56.25%
}

.VideoEnhancement iframe {
    border: 0;
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%
}
[data-video-player] {
    display: block;
    padding-bottom: 56.25%;
    height: 0;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

[data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] {
    padding-bottom: 56.25%;
}

[data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] {
    padding-bottom: 56.25%
}
</style>
--></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750">
<a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" 
	href="/richmond-va/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" 
	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
</div></div></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default-->
<!-- module_RHS - AARP Events -->

<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
	<header>
		<div class="pull-right">
			<a href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">
				<img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" />
			</a>
		</div>
		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Richmond</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Richmond</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
			<ul class="list">
				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/young-onset-dementia-m4nb3ytc8v9.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-YOUNGONSET-DEMENTIA-AND-ITS-CAUSES">Young-Onset Dementia and its Causes</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Hybrid (Attend Online or In-Person)</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/richmond-caregiving-workshop-znn6v9dtkjp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-RICHMOND-CAREGIVING-WORKSHOP">Richmond Caregiving Workshop</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 9:00&nbsp;a.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">VCU Health Hub at 25th</p>
					<p class="loc">Richmond, VA</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/behind-the-headstones-amazing-stories-of-heroes-at-arlington-national-cemetery-part-2-fdn4vmhwzy4.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-BEHIND-THE-HEADSTONES-PART-2-HEROES-AT-ARLINGTON-NATIONAL-CEMETERY">Behind the Headstones Part 2: Heroes at Arlington National Cemetery</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 3:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div>
	<ul class="list">
		<li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li>
		<li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li>
		<li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li>
		<li>FREE second membership</li>
	</ul>
	<div class="action">
		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RICHMOND-VA">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RICHMOND-VA">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
	</div>
</div>
<style>
.membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;}
.membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; }
</style>
<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="module-spacer text-center">
<div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Virginia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Virginia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true">
	<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia">Facebook</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>

 
<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP<br />Virginia</h2>
</header>
<div class="wrap">

<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:VAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VAAARP@aarp.org</a></li>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/virginia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Virginia</a></li>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/contact-aarp-virginia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-RICHMOND-VA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>


</ul>
</div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://twitter.com/aarpVa" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a>



</div>
</div>

</div></div>
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div>
</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar -->
	<script type="text/javascript">
		jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() {
			window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href');
		});
	</script>
</div>
</div>
'
$scripts_for_layout = '<title>Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024</title>
<meta name="page_title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/>
<meta content="AARP Virginia Volunteers staff the resource table “Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th" name="description"/>
<meta content="Northern, Virginia, Dementia, Caregiver, s, Conference, 2024" name="keywords"/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/virginia/northern-virginia-dementia-caregivers-conference-2024" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/northern-virginia-dementia-caregivers-conference-2024-va-2024-11-12.html"/>
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/>
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta name="twitter:description" content="“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern"/>
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/36c203c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1354x870+0+16/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Ff1%2F2c%2Fbe9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96%2Faarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg"/>
<meta property="og:type" content="article"/>
<meta property="og:title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta property="og:description" content="“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern"/>
<meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/36c203c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1354x870+0+16/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Ff1%2F2c%2Fbe9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96%2Faarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg"/>
        :root {
        --primaryColor: #ff1e3c;
        --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a;
        --linkTextColor: #1f66bd;
        --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd;
        --secondaryTextColor: #000000;
        --secondaryColor2: #000000;
        --secondaryColor3: #000000;
        --secondaryColor4: #000000;
        --secondaryColor5: #000000;
        --black: #000000;
        --white: #ffffff;
        --grey: #f0efed;
        --gridGutters: 30px;
        --modulePadding: 60px;
        --pageWidth: 86.11%;
        --maxPageWidth: 1240px;
        --horizontalAlignment: center;
        --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif;
        --headerBackgroundColor:#000000;
        --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF;
        --headerHeight:50px;
        --footerbackgroundColor:#000000;
        --footerTextColor:#918883;
        }'
$title_for_layout = '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP'
$asset_version = '230831'
$min = true
$nowrapper = false
$css = '        :root {
        --primaryColor: #ff1e3c;
        --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a;
        --linkTextColor: #1f66bd;
        --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd;
        --secondaryTextColor: #000000;
        --secondaryColor2: #000000;
        --secondaryColor3: #000000;
        --secondaryColor4: #000000;
        --secondaryColor5: #000000;
        --black: #000000;
        --white: #ffffff;
        --grey: #f0efed;
        --gridGutters: 30px;
        --modulePadding: 60px;
        --pageWidth: 86.11%;
        --maxPageWidth: 1240px;
        --horizontalAlignment: center;
        --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif;
        --headerBackgroundColor:#000000;
        --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF;
        --headerHeight:50px;
        --footerbackgroundColor:#000000;
        --footerTextColor:#918883;
        }'
$highlighting = ''
$location = '<a href="/richmond-va/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Richmond, VA</a>'
$no_header = false
$header_title = '<a href="/richmond-va/happenings/">News Feed</a>'
$header_subtitle = ''
$isPR = false
$navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse">
	<div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div>
	<ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true">
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li>
		<li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more">
			<span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span>
			<ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu">
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li>
				<!--
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li>
				-->
			</ul>
		</li>
		
	</ul>
</nav>'
$header_custom = ''
$breadcrumbs = array(
	(int) 0 => array(
		'title' => 'News Feed',
		'slug' => 'happenings'
	)
)
$row = array(
	'title' => 'Back to News Feed',
	'slug' => 'happenings'
)
$i = (int) 0
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136
BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81
ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ??
Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118

Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244]
Code Context
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box">

	<div>    
		<div class="module-spacer">
			<header><h1 class="article-headline">Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024</h1></header>	
						<div class="posted-on">
				Posted on 11/12/24 
				by <b>Linda Lindberg</b>			</div>
		</div>
		<div class="module-spacer">
			<span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody">
    
        <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/f1/2c/be9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96/aarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 008.jpg" width="1354" height="903" style="height: auto; max-width: 350px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">AARP Virginia Volunteers staff the resource table</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern Virginia Dementia Care Consortium.<br><br>The consortium is an alliance of 10 entities, including AARP Virginia, that present an annual conference to provide education, support, and services to promote the well-being of dementia caregivers.<br><br>“Caregivers have a job that they don’t sign up or train for,” said Jennifer Pauldurai, a neurologist at Inova’s Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center. Caring for someone with dementia can be stressful because the caregiver doesn’t understand why their loved ones act the way they do.<br><br>For dementia patients, stress becomes a self-conscious reaction because the brain is unaware of what is going on around them. “It’s as if they are lost in the woods with no GPS,” said Pauldurai.<br><br>Caregivers need to try to understand the dementia patient’s world, especially identifying stress triggers. The first step is to identify why they are acting the way they are. It’s important to focus on feelings and not facts. “Their reality is not your reality,” Pauldurai said.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="left">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/ca/22/e9fca756419894a7f3d061d254db/aarp-caregivers-program-066.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 066.jpg" width="1420" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Dr. Jennifer Pauldurai, MD</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Signs of stress in dementia patients include anxiety, restlessness or pacing, shadowing or following the caregiver everywhere, suspicion or paranoia, delusions or hallucinations, stubbornness or resistance, wandering, or verbal or physical aggression.<br><br>Pauldurai gave several examples of behavior seen in dementia patients. Delusions and hallucinations, as in seeing other people in the house, are common. Hallucinations may be triggered by something physical, such as a shadow.<br><br>Pauldurai explained that these delusions may be the patient’s way of trying to protect their family and home from intruders. Instead of trying to convince them there is no one present, caregivers should validate the patient’s perspective, saying “thank you for trying to protect me.”<br><br>Another common behavior is waking up early, getting dressed, and leaving the house to go for a walk. The person is probably used to having a routine or schedule, and they are trying to replicate the routine but have no awareness of time.<br><br>Caregivers need to address whether the patient’s basic physical needs are met, including any physical changes in the environment. Dementia patients often feel they are forced to do things against their will. “Words don’t matter as much as the way you say them,” said Pauldurai.<br><br>Some examples of changing the dementia person’s external environment include adjusting temperature and lighting; removing clutter and extra lights that cause shadows; dissolving pills in food or water if the person has trouble taking them; surrounding them with familiar faces and environments as much as possible; and ensuring regular sleep cycles and regular meals and hydration.<br><br>Caregivers may also need to make changes to the person’s internal environment, in collaboration with the person’s physician. Probiotics or prebiotics may help with digestion. Following a diet rich in nuts, berries, fruits, leafy vegetables, water, and low sugar, such as the Mediterranean Diet, may help reduce stress on the brain.<br><br>The dementia caretaking team, said Pauldurai, should work together to accomplish health and safety for the patient. This includes trying to understand the patient’s world and using dementia-friendly language.<br><br>“Practice the five Rs,” said Pauldurai: reassure, reorient, redirect, repeat, and most importantly, respect.<br><br>Pauldurai concluded by urging caregivers to know when they need help and to find the support they need to maintain a healthy work-life balance.<br><br>“When we join together, we make a difference,” said Melanie Bunn, a trainer for Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dd/61/03c84ac3463ea2c462f998598f64/aarp-caregivers-program-128.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 128.jpg" width="1252" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Melanie Bunn, trainer for Positive Approach to Care</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Snow is a dementia expert who developed a set of techniques based on understanding the parts of the brain that are no longer working in dementia patients and engaging the parts that are still active so patients and care partners can experience less stress and resistance and grow their relationships.<br><br>“The prefrontal cortex,” said Bunn, “is the last part of the brain to start working and the first to cause issues due to breakdown.”<br><br>The prefrontal cortex controls impulses, logic, and the ability to make choices. It also controls the ability to start, stay on a task, finish it, and move on. Another control is accurate self-awareness, or the ability to look at a situation and say either “I’ve got this” or “I need help,” along with perspective and the ability to accept when you need help.<br><br>With dementia patients, said Bunn, caretakers must recognize there must be a better way and be the impetus of change to best serve the patient. She also said caretakers must “build a bridge rather than a wall” as they build a caring team to work with the patient.<br><br>Snow’s method uses a GEMS® approach to different stages of brain change, based on the principle that until we see the beauty and value of a person at these different stages, they cannot be supported as they should.<br><br>Each stage is assigned a specific gem. In the sapphire stage, the person is generally fine but slowing down. In the diamond stage, they become harder, more rigid, and less flexible. In the emerald stage, they look to the past and want things to be the way they used to be.<br><br>Amber means caution, and when a patient reaches the amber stage, caretakers need to be cautious about sensations and under or over stimulation. Bunn recommends working to change the environment and giving the patient new things to explore.<br><br>In the ruby stage, the patient often loses motor skills, speech functions and comprehension, and visual awareness. In the final stage, pearl, patients become more hidden in their shells but still have many beautiful layers.<br><br>Bunn urged caretakers to take responsibility for change to help dementia patients at all stages “find their hidden sapphire.”<br><br>When Dr. Nicole Rochester’s late father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, she said it was “like a swift summer storm” that came out of nowhere.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="left">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/e7/37/0f6648204e3cafaa338f6f3063ab/aarp-caregivers-program-155.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 155.jpg" width="1419" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Dr. Nicole Rochester, founder and CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Rochester, founder and CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC, who was working as a pediatrician at the time, was “completely overwhelmed” and unsure how to integrate caregiving into her life.<br><br>Like many caregivers, she initially felt she could do everything herself and needed to learn how to ask for help. Once she communicated her need for help and accepted it, she felt transformed.<br><br>“In reality,” said Rochester, “the caregiving journey is like a maze – there is no roadmap.”<br>Nevertheless, she found many little glimmers of hope throughout the journey. “When the storm clouds start to shift, sometimes you can see a rainbow,” she said.<br><br>“Everyone sees a different rainbow,” said Rochester, but to see one, “the sun must be behind you.”<br><br>Rochester sees rainbows as connections that can restore many good aspects of a relationship, like laughing together over a memory or funny event. This helps caregivers to cherish the special moments when they connect with the dementia patient.<br><br>Rainbows help build resiliency. “Nothing can build strength like a caregiving journey,” said Rochester.<br><br>Rochester’s rainbows also helped illuminate her path to the future, as she ended up leaving her pediatric career to start her own company as an advocate for caregivers.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/84/d7/4a9d7b104cf184c0ec46c9fdbc6e/aarp-caregivers-program-080.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 080.jpg" width="1600" height="1067" style="height: auto; max-width: 350px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Attendees listen to presentations by caregiving experts.</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>The benefits of finding rainbows, said Rochester, are compassion, strength, organization, and resilience.<br><br>“Use your rainbow as a compass for your future to help you find rays of light in your journey,” she said.<br><br><br>Conference attendees had the opportunity to attend break-out sessions on a variety of helpful topics, including financial and legal issues, improving hands-on skills, nutrition, end-of-life care, and virtual reality as a way to explore care. Numerous vendors provided information and resources.</p></div>
    
</div>
</p></span>
		</div>
	</div>

		<p><i>This story is provided by AARP Virginia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/virginia/" target="_blank">AARP Virginia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p>
	
</div>
</div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script>
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css">

<!-- bypass -->
<style>
a:focus, a:hover {
    text-decoration: underline;
}
h1.article-headline {
margin: 0 0 1rem;
}
</style>



<!--
<style>
.Enhancement-item .Figure {
margin-bottom: 24px;
}
.RichTextArticleBody-body ul {
    margin-bottom: 24px;
}
.RichTextArticleBody-body p{
    margin: 12px 0;
}
.RichTextModule-items {
   clear: both;
    display: table;
    width: 100%;
    margin-bottom: 12px;
}
.VideoEnhancement>* {
    color: var(--primaryTextColor);
    font-size: 13px;
    font-weight: 400;
    line-height: 1.4;
    font-style: italic;
    background: #f0efed
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
    .VideoEnhancement>* {
        font-size:14px;
        font-weight: 400;
        line-height: 1.47
    }
}

.VideoEnhancement-title {
    padding: 20px
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
    .VideoEnhancement-title {
        padding:30px
    }
}

.VideoEnhancement-player>* {
    position: relative;
    width: 100%;
    height: 0;
    padding-bottom: 56.25%
}

.VideoEnhancement iframe {
    border: 0;
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%
}
[data-video-player] {
    display: block;
    padding-bottom: 56.25%;
    height: 0;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

[data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] {
    padding-bottom: 56.25%;
}

[data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] {
    padding-bottom: 56.25%
}
</style>
--></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750">
<a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" 
	href="/richmond-va/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" 
	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
</div></div></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default-->
<!-- module_RHS - AARP Events -->

<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
	<header>
		<div class="pull-right">
			<a href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">
				<img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" />
			</a>
		</div>
		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Richmond</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Richmond</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
			<ul class="list">
				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/young-onset-dementia-m4nb3ytc8v9.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-YOUNGONSET-DEMENTIA-AND-ITS-CAUSES">Young-Onset Dementia and its Causes</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Hybrid (Attend Online or In-Person)</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/richmond-caregiving-workshop-znn6v9dtkjp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-RICHMOND-CAREGIVING-WORKSHOP">Richmond Caregiving Workshop</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 9:00&nbsp;a.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">VCU Health Hub at 25th</p>
					<p class="loc">Richmond, VA</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/behind-the-headstones-amazing-stories-of-heroes-at-arlington-national-cemetery-part-2-fdn4vmhwzy4.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-BEHIND-THE-HEADSTONES-PART-2-HEROES-AT-ARLINGTON-NATIONAL-CEMETERY">Behind the Headstones Part 2: Heroes at Arlington National Cemetery</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 3:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div>
	<ul class="list">
		<li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li>
		<li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li>
		<li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li>
		<li>FREE second membership</li>
	</ul>
	<div class="action">
		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RICHMOND-VA">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RICHMOND-VA">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
	</div>
</div>
<style>
.membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;}
.membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; }
</style>
<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="module-spacer text-center">
<div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Virginia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Virginia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true">
	<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia">Facebook</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>

 
<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP<br />Virginia</h2>
</header>
<div class="wrap">

<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:VAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VAAARP@aarp.org</a></li>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/virginia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Virginia</a></li>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/contact-aarp-virginia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-RICHMOND-VA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>


</ul>
</div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://twitter.com/aarpVa" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a>



</div>
</div>

</div></div>
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div>
</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar -->
	<script type="text/javascript">
		jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() {
			window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href');
		});
	</script>
</div>
</div>
',
	'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024</title>
<meta name="page_title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/>
<meta content="AARP Virginia Volunteers staff the resource table “Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th" name="description"/>
<meta content="Northern, Virginia, Dementia, Caregiver, s, Conference, 2024" name="keywords"/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/virginia/northern-virginia-dementia-caregivers-conference-2024" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/northern-virginia-dementia-caregivers-conference-2024-va-2024-11-12.html"/>
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/>
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta name="twitter:description" content="“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern"/>
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/36c203c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1354x870+0+16/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Ff1%2F2c%2Fbe9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96%2Faarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg"/>
<meta property="og:type" content="article"/>
<meta property="og:title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta property="og:description" content="“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern"/>
<meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/36c203c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1354x870+0+16/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Ff1%2F2c%2Fbe9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96%2Faarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg"/>
        :root {
        --primaryColor: #ff1e3c;
        --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a;
        --linkTextColor: #1f66bd;
        --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd;
        --secondaryTextColor: #000000;
        --secondaryColor2: #000000;
        --secondaryColor3: #000000;
        --secondaryColor4: #000000;
        --secondaryColor5: #000000;
        --black: #000000;
        --white: #ffffff;
        --grey: #f0efed;
        --gridGutters: 30px;
        --modulePadding: 60px;
        --pageWidth: 86.11%;
        --maxPageWidth: 1240px;
        --horizontalAlignment: center;
        --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif;
        --headerBackgroundColor:#000000;
        --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF;
        --headerHeight:50px;
        --footerbackgroundColor:#000000;
        --footerTextColor:#918883;
        }',
	'title_for_layout' => '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP'
)
$content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box">

	<div>    
		<div class="module-spacer">
			<header><h1 class="article-headline">Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024</h1></header>	
						<div class="posted-on">
				Posted on 11/12/24 
				by <b>Linda Lindberg</b>			</div>
		</div>
		<div class="module-spacer">
			<span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody">
    
        <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/f1/2c/be9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96/aarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 008.jpg" width="1354" height="903" style="height: auto; max-width: 350px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">AARP Virginia Volunteers staff the resource table</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern Virginia Dementia Care Consortium.<br><br>The consortium is an alliance of 10 entities, including AARP Virginia, that present an annual conference to provide education, support, and services to promote the well-being of dementia caregivers.<br><br>“Caregivers have a job that they don’t sign up or train for,” said Jennifer Pauldurai, a neurologist at Inova’s Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center. Caring for someone with dementia can be stressful because the caregiver doesn’t understand why their loved ones act the way they do.<br><br>For dementia patients, stress becomes a self-conscious reaction because the brain is unaware of what is going on around them. “It’s as if they are lost in the woods with no GPS,” said Pauldurai.<br><br>Caregivers need to try to understand the dementia patient’s world, especially identifying stress triggers. The first step is to identify why they are acting the way they are. It’s important to focus on feelings and not facts. “Their reality is not your reality,” Pauldurai said.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="left">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/ca/22/e9fca756419894a7f3d061d254db/aarp-caregivers-program-066.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 066.jpg" width="1420" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Dr. Jennifer Pauldurai, MD</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Signs of stress in dementia patients include anxiety, restlessness or pacing, shadowing or following the caregiver everywhere, suspicion or paranoia, delusions or hallucinations, stubbornness or resistance, wandering, or verbal or physical aggression.<br><br>Pauldurai gave several examples of behavior seen in dementia patients. Delusions and hallucinations, as in seeing other people in the house, are common. Hallucinations may be triggered by something physical, such as a shadow.<br><br>Pauldurai explained that these delusions may be the patient’s way of trying to protect their family and home from intruders. Instead of trying to convince them there is no one present, caregivers should validate the patient’s perspective, saying “thank you for trying to protect me.”<br><br>Another common behavior is waking up early, getting dressed, and leaving the house to go for a walk. The person is probably used to having a routine or schedule, and they are trying to replicate the routine but have no awareness of time.<br><br>Caregivers need to address whether the patient’s basic physical needs are met, including any physical changes in the environment. Dementia patients often feel they are forced to do things against their will. “Words don’t matter as much as the way you say them,” said Pauldurai.<br><br>Some examples of changing the dementia person’s external environment include adjusting temperature and lighting; removing clutter and extra lights that cause shadows; dissolving pills in food or water if the person has trouble taking them; surrounding them with familiar faces and environments as much as possible; and ensuring regular sleep cycles and regular meals and hydration.<br><br>Caregivers may also need to make changes to the person’s internal environment, in collaboration with the person’s physician. Probiotics or prebiotics may help with digestion. Following a diet rich in nuts, berries, fruits, leafy vegetables, water, and low sugar, such as the Mediterranean Diet, may help reduce stress on the brain.<br><br>The dementia caretaking team, said Pauldurai, should work together to accomplish health and safety for the patient. This includes trying to understand the patient’s world and using dementia-friendly language.<br><br>“Practice the five Rs,” said Pauldurai: reassure, reorient, redirect, repeat, and most importantly, respect.<br><br>Pauldurai concluded by urging caregivers to know when they need help and to find the support they need to maintain a healthy work-life balance.<br><br>“When we join together, we make a difference,” said Melanie Bunn, a trainer for Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dd/61/03c84ac3463ea2c462f998598f64/aarp-caregivers-program-128.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 128.jpg" width="1252" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Melanie Bunn, trainer for Positive Approach to Care</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Snow is a dementia expert who developed a set of techniques based on understanding the parts of the brain that are no longer working in dementia patients and engaging the parts that are still active so patients and care partners can experience less stress and resistance and grow their relationships.<br><br>“The prefrontal cortex,” said Bunn, “is the last part of the brain to start working and the first to cause issues due to breakdown.”<br><br>The prefrontal cortex controls impulses, logic, and the ability to make choices. It also controls the ability to start, stay on a task, finish it, and move on. Another control is accurate self-awareness, or the ability to look at a situation and say either “I’ve got this” or “I need help,” along with perspective and the ability to accept when you need help.<br><br>With dementia patients, said Bunn, caretakers must recognize there must be a better way and be the impetus of change to best serve the patient. She also said caretakers must “build a bridge rather than a wall” as they build a caring team to work with the patient.<br><br>Snow’s method uses a GEMS® approach to different stages of brain change, based on the principle that until we see the beauty and value of a person at these different stages, they cannot be supported as they should.<br><br>Each stage is assigned a specific gem. In the sapphire stage, the person is generally fine but slowing down. In the diamond stage, they become harder, more rigid, and less flexible. In the emerald stage, they look to the past and want things to be the way they used to be.<br><br>Amber means caution, and when a patient reaches the amber stage, caretakers need to be cautious about sensations and under or over stimulation. Bunn recommends working to change the environment and giving the patient new things to explore.<br><br>In the ruby stage, the patient often loses motor skills, speech functions and comprehension, and visual awareness. In the final stage, pearl, patients become more hidden in their shells but still have many beautiful layers.<br><br>Bunn urged caretakers to take responsibility for change to help dementia patients at all stages “find their hidden sapphire.”<br><br>When Dr. Nicole Rochester’s late father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, she said it was “like a swift summer storm” that came out of nowhere.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="left">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/e7/37/0f6648204e3cafaa338f6f3063ab/aarp-caregivers-program-155.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 155.jpg" width="1419" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Dr. Nicole Rochester, founder and CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Rochester, founder and CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC, who was working as a pediatrician at the time, was “completely overwhelmed” and unsure how to integrate caregiving into her life.<br><br>Like many caregivers, she initially felt she could do everything herself and needed to learn how to ask for help. Once she communicated her need for help and accepted it, she felt transformed.<br><br>“In reality,” said Rochester, “the caregiving journey is like a maze – there is no roadmap.”<br>Nevertheless, she found many little glimmers of hope throughout the journey. “When the storm clouds start to shift, sometimes you can see a rainbow,” she said.<br><br>“Everyone sees a different rainbow,” said Rochester, but to see one, “the sun must be behind you.”<br><br>Rochester sees rainbows as connections that can restore many good aspects of a relationship, like laughing together over a memory or funny event. This helps caregivers to cherish the special moments when they connect with the dementia patient.<br><br>Rainbows help build resiliency. “Nothing can build strength like a caregiving journey,” said Rochester.<br><br>Rochester’s rainbows also helped illuminate her path to the future, as she ended up leaving her pediatric career to start her own company as an advocate for caregivers.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/84/d7/4a9d7b104cf184c0ec46c9fdbc6e/aarp-caregivers-program-080.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 080.jpg" width="1600" height="1067" style="height: auto; max-width: 350px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Attendees listen to presentations by caregiving experts.</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>The benefits of finding rainbows, said Rochester, are compassion, strength, organization, and resilience.<br><br>“Use your rainbow as a compass for your future to help you find rays of light in your journey,” she said.<br><br><br>Conference attendees had the opportunity to attend break-out sessions on a variety of helpful topics, including financial and legal issues, improving hands-on skills, nutrition, end-of-life care, and virtual reality as a way to explore care. Numerous vendors provided information and resources.</p></div>
    
</div>
</p></span>
		</div>
	</div>

		<p><i>This story is provided by AARP Virginia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/virginia/" target="_blank">AARP Virginia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p>
	
</div>
</div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script>
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css">

<!-- bypass -->
<style>
a:focus, a:hover {
    text-decoration: underline;
}
h1.article-headline {
margin: 0 0 1rem;
}
</style>



<!--
<style>
.Enhancement-item .Figure {
margin-bottom: 24px;
}
.RichTextArticleBody-body ul {
    margin-bottom: 24px;
}
.RichTextArticleBody-body p{
    margin: 12px 0;
}
.RichTextModule-items {
   clear: both;
    display: table;
    width: 100%;
    margin-bottom: 12px;
}
.VideoEnhancement>* {
    color: var(--primaryTextColor);
    font-size: 13px;
    font-weight: 400;
    line-height: 1.4;
    font-style: italic;
    background: #f0efed
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
    .VideoEnhancement>* {
        font-size:14px;
        font-weight: 400;
        line-height: 1.47
    }
}

.VideoEnhancement-title {
    padding: 20px
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
    .VideoEnhancement-title {
        padding:30px
    }
}

.VideoEnhancement-player>* {
    position: relative;
    width: 100%;
    height: 0;
    padding-bottom: 56.25%
}

.VideoEnhancement iframe {
    border: 0;
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%
}
[data-video-player] {
    display: block;
    padding-bottom: 56.25%;
    height: 0;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

[data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] {
    padding-bottom: 56.25%;
}

[data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] {
    padding-bottom: 56.25%
}
</style>
--></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750">
<a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" 
	href="/richmond-va/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" 
	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
</div></div></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default-->
<!-- module_RHS - AARP Events -->

<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
	<header>
		<div class="pull-right">
			<a href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">
				<img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" />
			</a>
		</div>
		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Richmond</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Richmond</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
			<ul class="list">
				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/young-onset-dementia-m4nb3ytc8v9.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-YOUNGONSET-DEMENTIA-AND-ITS-CAUSES">Young-Onset Dementia and its Causes</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Hybrid (Attend Online or In-Person)</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/richmond-caregiving-workshop-znn6v9dtkjp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-RICHMOND-CAREGIVING-WORKSHOP">Richmond Caregiving Workshop</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 9:00&nbsp;a.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">VCU Health Hub at 25th</p>
					<p class="loc">Richmond, VA</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/behind-the-headstones-amazing-stories-of-heroes-at-arlington-national-cemetery-part-2-fdn4vmhwzy4.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-BEHIND-THE-HEADSTONES-PART-2-HEROES-AT-ARLINGTON-NATIONAL-CEMETERY">Behind the Headstones Part 2: Heroes at Arlington National Cemetery</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 3:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div>
	<ul class="list">
		<li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li>
		<li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li>
		<li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li>
		<li>FREE second membership</li>
	</ul>
	<div class="action">
		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RICHMOND-VA">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RICHMOND-VA">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
	</div>
</div>
<style>
.membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;}
.membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; }
</style>
<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="module-spacer text-center">
<div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Virginia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Virginia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true">
	<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia">Facebook</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>

 
<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP<br />Virginia</h2>
</header>
<div class="wrap">

<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:VAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VAAARP@aarp.org</a></li>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/virginia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Virginia</a></li>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/contact-aarp-virginia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-RICHMOND-VA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>


</ul>
</div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://twitter.com/aarpVa" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a>



</div>
</div>

</div></div>
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div>
</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar -->
	<script type="text/javascript">
		jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() {
			window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href');
		});
	</script>
</div>
</div>
'
$scripts_for_layout = '<title>Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024</title>
<meta name="page_title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/>
<meta content="AARP Virginia Volunteers staff the resource table “Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th" name="description"/>
<meta content="Northern, Virginia, Dementia, Caregiver, s, Conference, 2024" name="keywords"/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/virginia/northern-virginia-dementia-caregivers-conference-2024" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/northern-virginia-dementia-caregivers-conference-2024-va-2024-11-12.html"/>
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/>
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta name="twitter:description" content="“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern"/>
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/36c203c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1354x870+0+16/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Ff1%2F2c%2Fbe9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96%2Faarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg"/>
<meta property="og:type" content="article"/>
<meta property="og:title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta property="og:description" content="“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern"/>
<meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/36c203c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1354x870+0+16/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Ff1%2F2c%2Fbe9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96%2Faarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg"/>
        :root {
        --primaryColor: #ff1e3c;
        --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a;
        --linkTextColor: #1f66bd;
        --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd;
        --secondaryTextColor: #000000;
        --secondaryColor2: #000000;
        --secondaryColor3: #000000;
        --secondaryColor4: #000000;
        --secondaryColor5: #000000;
        --black: #000000;
        --white: #ffffff;
        --grey: #f0efed;
        --gridGutters: 30px;
        --modulePadding: 60px;
        --pageWidth: 86.11%;
        --maxPageWidth: 1240px;
        --horizontalAlignment: center;
        --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif;
        --headerBackgroundColor:#000000;
        --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF;
        --headerHeight:50px;
        --footerbackgroundColor:#000000;
        --footerTextColor:#918883;
        }'
$title_for_layout = '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP'
$asset_version = '230831'
$min = true
$nowrapper = false
$css = '        :root {
        --primaryColor: #ff1e3c;
        --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a;
        --linkTextColor: #1f66bd;
        --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd;
        --secondaryTextColor: #000000;
        --secondaryColor2: #000000;
        --secondaryColor3: #000000;
        --secondaryColor4: #000000;
        --secondaryColor5: #000000;
        --black: #000000;
        --white: #ffffff;
        --grey: #f0efed;
        --gridGutters: 30px;
        --modulePadding: 60px;
        --pageWidth: 86.11%;
        --maxPageWidth: 1240px;
        --horizontalAlignment: center;
        --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif;
        --headerBackgroundColor:#000000;
        --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF;
        --headerHeight:50px;
        --footerbackgroundColor:#000000;
        --footerTextColor:#918883;
        }'
$highlighting = ''
$location = '<a href="/richmond-va/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Richmond, VA</a>'
$no_header = false
$header_title = '<a href="/richmond-va/happenings/">News Feed</a>'
$header_subtitle = ''
$isPR = false
$navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse">
	<div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div>
	<ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true">
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li>
		<li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more">
			<span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span>
			<ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu">
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li>
				<!--
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li>
				-->
			</ul>
		</li>
		
	</ul>
</nav>'
$header_custom = ''
$breadcrumbs = array(
	(int) 0 => array(
		'title' => 'News Feed',
		'slug' => 'happenings'
	)
)
$row = array(
	'title' => 'Back to News Feed',
	'slug' => 'happenings'
)
$i = (int) 0
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136
BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81
ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ??
Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118

Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244]
Code Context
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box">

	<div>    
		<div class="module-spacer">
			<header><h1 class="article-headline">Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024</h1></header>	
						<div class="posted-on">
				Posted on 11/12/24 
				by <b>Linda Lindberg</b>			</div>
		</div>
		<div class="module-spacer">
			<span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody">
    
        <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/f1/2c/be9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96/aarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 008.jpg" width="1354" height="903" style="height: auto; max-width: 350px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">AARP Virginia Volunteers staff the resource table</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern Virginia Dementia Care Consortium.<br><br>The consortium is an alliance of 10 entities, including AARP Virginia, that present an annual conference to provide education, support, and services to promote the well-being of dementia caregivers.<br><br>“Caregivers have a job that they don’t sign up or train for,” said Jennifer Pauldurai, a neurologist at Inova’s Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center. Caring for someone with dementia can be stressful because the caregiver doesn’t understand why their loved ones act the way they do.<br><br>For dementia patients, stress becomes a self-conscious reaction because the brain is unaware of what is going on around them. “It’s as if they are lost in the woods with no GPS,” said Pauldurai.<br><br>Caregivers need to try to understand the dementia patient’s world, especially identifying stress triggers. The first step is to identify why they are acting the way they are. It’s important to focus on feelings and not facts. “Their reality is not your reality,” Pauldurai said.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="left">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/ca/22/e9fca756419894a7f3d061d254db/aarp-caregivers-program-066.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 066.jpg" width="1420" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Dr. Jennifer Pauldurai, MD</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Signs of stress in dementia patients include anxiety, restlessness or pacing, shadowing or following the caregiver everywhere, suspicion or paranoia, delusions or hallucinations, stubbornness or resistance, wandering, or verbal or physical aggression.<br><br>Pauldurai gave several examples of behavior seen in dementia patients. Delusions and hallucinations, as in seeing other people in the house, are common. Hallucinations may be triggered by something physical, such as a shadow.<br><br>Pauldurai explained that these delusions may be the patient’s way of trying to protect their family and home from intruders. Instead of trying to convince them there is no one present, caregivers should validate the patient’s perspective, saying “thank you for trying to protect me.”<br><br>Another common behavior is waking up early, getting dressed, and leaving the house to go for a walk. The person is probably used to having a routine or schedule, and they are trying to replicate the routine but have no awareness of time.<br><br>Caregivers need to address whether the patient’s basic physical needs are met, including any physical changes in the environment. Dementia patients often feel they are forced to do things against their will. “Words don’t matter as much as the way you say them,” said Pauldurai.<br><br>Some examples of changing the dementia person’s external environment include adjusting temperature and lighting; removing clutter and extra lights that cause shadows; dissolving pills in food or water if the person has trouble taking them; surrounding them with familiar faces and environments as much as possible; and ensuring regular sleep cycles and regular meals and hydration.<br><br>Caregivers may also need to make changes to the person’s internal environment, in collaboration with the person’s physician. Probiotics or prebiotics may help with digestion. Following a diet rich in nuts, berries, fruits, leafy vegetables, water, and low sugar, such as the Mediterranean Diet, may help reduce stress on the brain.<br><br>The dementia caretaking team, said Pauldurai, should work together to accomplish health and safety for the patient. This includes trying to understand the patient’s world and using dementia-friendly language.<br><br>“Practice the five Rs,” said Pauldurai: reassure, reorient, redirect, repeat, and most importantly, respect.<br><br>Pauldurai concluded by urging caregivers to know when they need help and to find the support they need to maintain a healthy work-life balance.<br><br>“When we join together, we make a difference,” said Melanie Bunn, a trainer for Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dd/61/03c84ac3463ea2c462f998598f64/aarp-caregivers-program-128.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 128.jpg" width="1252" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Melanie Bunn, trainer for Positive Approach to Care</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Snow is a dementia expert who developed a set of techniques based on understanding the parts of the brain that are no longer working in dementia patients and engaging the parts that are still active so patients and care partners can experience less stress and resistance and grow their relationships.<br><br>“The prefrontal cortex,” said Bunn, “is the last part of the brain to start working and the first to cause issues due to breakdown.”<br><br>The prefrontal cortex controls impulses, logic, and the ability to make choices. It also controls the ability to start, stay on a task, finish it, and move on. Another control is accurate self-awareness, or the ability to look at a situation and say either “I’ve got this” or “I need help,” along with perspective and the ability to accept when you need help.<br><br>With dementia patients, said Bunn, caretakers must recognize there must be a better way and be the impetus of change to best serve the patient. She also said caretakers must “build a bridge rather than a wall” as they build a caring team to work with the patient.<br><br>Snow’s method uses a GEMS® approach to different stages of brain change, based on the principle that until we see the beauty and value of a person at these different stages, they cannot be supported as they should.<br><br>Each stage is assigned a specific gem. In the sapphire stage, the person is generally fine but slowing down. In the diamond stage, they become harder, more rigid, and less flexible. In the emerald stage, they look to the past and want things to be the way they used to be.<br><br>Amber means caution, and when a patient reaches the amber stage, caretakers need to be cautious about sensations and under or over stimulation. Bunn recommends working to change the environment and giving the patient new things to explore.<br><br>In the ruby stage, the patient often loses motor skills, speech functions and comprehension, and visual awareness. In the final stage, pearl, patients become more hidden in their shells but still have many beautiful layers.<br><br>Bunn urged caretakers to take responsibility for change to help dementia patients at all stages “find their hidden sapphire.”<br><br>When Dr. Nicole Rochester’s late father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, she said it was “like a swift summer storm” that came out of nowhere.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="left">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/e7/37/0f6648204e3cafaa338f6f3063ab/aarp-caregivers-program-155.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 155.jpg" width="1419" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Dr. Nicole Rochester, founder and CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Rochester, founder and CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC, who was working as a pediatrician at the time, was “completely overwhelmed” and unsure how to integrate caregiving into her life.<br><br>Like many caregivers, she initially felt she could do everything herself and needed to learn how to ask for help. Once she communicated her need for help and accepted it, she felt transformed.<br><br>“In reality,” said Rochester, “the caregiving journey is like a maze – there is no roadmap.”<br>Nevertheless, she found many little glimmers of hope throughout the journey. “When the storm clouds start to shift, sometimes you can see a rainbow,” she said.<br><br>“Everyone sees a different rainbow,” said Rochester, but to see one, “the sun must be behind you.”<br><br>Rochester sees rainbows as connections that can restore many good aspects of a relationship, like laughing together over a memory or funny event. This helps caregivers to cherish the special moments when they connect with the dementia patient.<br><br>Rainbows help build resiliency. “Nothing can build strength like a caregiving journey,” said Rochester.<br><br>Rochester’s rainbows also helped illuminate her path to the future, as she ended up leaving her pediatric career to start her own company as an advocate for caregivers.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/84/d7/4a9d7b104cf184c0ec46c9fdbc6e/aarp-caregivers-program-080.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 080.jpg" width="1600" height="1067" style="height: auto; max-width: 350px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Attendees listen to presentations by caregiving experts.</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>The benefits of finding rainbows, said Rochester, are compassion, strength, organization, and resilience.<br><br>“Use your rainbow as a compass for your future to help you find rays of light in your journey,” she said.<br><br><br>Conference attendees had the opportunity to attend break-out sessions on a variety of helpful topics, including financial and legal issues, improving hands-on skills, nutrition, end-of-life care, and virtual reality as a way to explore care. Numerous vendors provided information and resources.</p></div>
    
</div>
</p></span>
		</div>
	</div>

		<p><i>This story is provided by AARP Virginia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/virginia/" target="_blank">AARP Virginia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p>
	
</div>
</div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script>
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css">

<!-- bypass -->
<style>
a:focus, a:hover {
    text-decoration: underline;
}
h1.article-headline {
margin: 0 0 1rem;
}
</style>



<!--
<style>
.Enhancement-item .Figure {
margin-bottom: 24px;
}
.RichTextArticleBody-body ul {
    margin-bottom: 24px;
}
.RichTextArticleBody-body p{
    margin: 12px 0;
}
.RichTextModule-items {
   clear: both;
    display: table;
    width: 100%;
    margin-bottom: 12px;
}
.VideoEnhancement>* {
    color: var(--primaryTextColor);
    font-size: 13px;
    font-weight: 400;
    line-height: 1.4;
    font-style: italic;
    background: #f0efed
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
    .VideoEnhancement>* {
        font-size:14px;
        font-weight: 400;
        line-height: 1.47
    }
}

.VideoEnhancement-title {
    padding: 20px
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
    .VideoEnhancement-title {
        padding:30px
    }
}

.VideoEnhancement-player>* {
    position: relative;
    width: 100%;
    height: 0;
    padding-bottom: 56.25%
}

.VideoEnhancement iframe {
    border: 0;
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%
}
[data-video-player] {
    display: block;
    padding-bottom: 56.25%;
    height: 0;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

[data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] {
    padding-bottom: 56.25%;
}

[data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] {
    padding-bottom: 56.25%
}
</style>
--></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750">
<a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" 
	href="/richmond-va/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" 
	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
</div></div></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default-->
<!-- module_RHS - AARP Events -->

<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
	<header>
		<div class="pull-right">
			<a href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">
				<img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" />
			</a>
		</div>
		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Richmond</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Richmond</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
			<ul class="list">
				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/young-onset-dementia-m4nb3ytc8v9.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-YOUNGONSET-DEMENTIA-AND-ITS-CAUSES">Young-Onset Dementia and its Causes</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Hybrid (Attend Online or In-Person)</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/richmond-caregiving-workshop-znn6v9dtkjp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-RICHMOND-CAREGIVING-WORKSHOP">Richmond Caregiving Workshop</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 9:00&nbsp;a.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">VCU Health Hub at 25th</p>
					<p class="loc">Richmond, VA</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/behind-the-headstones-amazing-stories-of-heroes-at-arlington-national-cemetery-part-2-fdn4vmhwzy4.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-BEHIND-THE-HEADSTONES-PART-2-HEROES-AT-ARLINGTON-NATIONAL-CEMETERY">Behind the Headstones Part 2: Heroes at Arlington National Cemetery</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 3:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div>
	<ul class="list">
		<li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li>
		<li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li>
		<li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li>
		<li>FREE second membership</li>
	</ul>
	<div class="action">
		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RICHMOND-VA">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RICHMOND-VA">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
	</div>
</div>
<style>
.membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;}
.membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; }
</style>
<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="module-spacer text-center">
<div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Virginia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Virginia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true">
	<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia">Facebook</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>

 
<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP<br />Virginia</h2>
</header>
<div class="wrap">

<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:VAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VAAARP@aarp.org</a></li>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/virginia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Virginia</a></li>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/contact-aarp-virginia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-RICHMOND-VA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>


</ul>
</div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://twitter.com/aarpVa" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a>



</div>
</div>

</div></div>
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div>
</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar -->
	<script type="text/javascript">
		jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() {
			window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href');
		});
	</script>
</div>
</div>
',
	'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024</title>
<meta name="page_title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/>
<meta content="AARP Virginia Volunteers staff the resource table “Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th" name="description"/>
<meta content="Northern, Virginia, Dementia, Caregiver, s, Conference, 2024" name="keywords"/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/virginia/northern-virginia-dementia-caregivers-conference-2024" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/northern-virginia-dementia-caregivers-conference-2024-va-2024-11-12.html"/>
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/>
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta name="twitter:description" content="“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern"/>
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/36c203c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1354x870+0+16/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Ff1%2F2c%2Fbe9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96%2Faarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg"/>
<meta property="og:type" content="article"/>
<meta property="og:title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta property="og:description" content="“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern"/>
<meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/36c203c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1354x870+0+16/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Ff1%2F2c%2Fbe9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96%2Faarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg"/>
        :root {
        --primaryColor: #ff1e3c;
        --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a;
        --linkTextColor: #1f66bd;
        --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd;
        --secondaryTextColor: #000000;
        --secondaryColor2: #000000;
        --secondaryColor3: #000000;
        --secondaryColor4: #000000;
        --secondaryColor5: #000000;
        --black: #000000;
        --white: #ffffff;
        --grey: #f0efed;
        --gridGutters: 30px;
        --modulePadding: 60px;
        --pageWidth: 86.11%;
        --maxPageWidth: 1240px;
        --horizontalAlignment: center;
        --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif;
        --headerBackgroundColor:#000000;
        --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF;
        --headerHeight:50px;
        --footerbackgroundColor:#000000;
        --footerTextColor:#918883;
        }',
	'title_for_layout' => '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP'
)
$content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box">

	<div>    
		<div class="module-spacer">
			<header><h1 class="article-headline">Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024</h1></header>	
						<div class="posted-on">
				Posted on 11/12/24 
				by <b>Linda Lindberg</b>			</div>
		</div>
		<div class="module-spacer">
			<span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody">
    
        <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/f1/2c/be9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96/aarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 008.jpg" width="1354" height="903" style="height: auto; max-width: 350px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">AARP Virginia Volunteers staff the resource table</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern Virginia Dementia Care Consortium.<br><br>The consortium is an alliance of 10 entities, including AARP Virginia, that present an annual conference to provide education, support, and services to promote the well-being of dementia caregivers.<br><br>“Caregivers have a job that they don’t sign up or train for,” said Jennifer Pauldurai, a neurologist at Inova’s Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center. Caring for someone with dementia can be stressful because the caregiver doesn’t understand why their loved ones act the way they do.<br><br>For dementia patients, stress becomes a self-conscious reaction because the brain is unaware of what is going on around them. “It’s as if they are lost in the woods with no GPS,” said Pauldurai.<br><br>Caregivers need to try to understand the dementia patient’s world, especially identifying stress triggers. The first step is to identify why they are acting the way they are. It’s important to focus on feelings and not facts. “Their reality is not your reality,” Pauldurai said.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="left">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/ca/22/e9fca756419894a7f3d061d254db/aarp-caregivers-program-066.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 066.jpg" width="1420" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Dr. Jennifer Pauldurai, MD</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Signs of stress in dementia patients include anxiety, restlessness or pacing, shadowing or following the caregiver everywhere, suspicion or paranoia, delusions or hallucinations, stubbornness or resistance, wandering, or verbal or physical aggression.<br><br>Pauldurai gave several examples of behavior seen in dementia patients. Delusions and hallucinations, as in seeing other people in the house, are common. Hallucinations may be triggered by something physical, such as a shadow.<br><br>Pauldurai explained that these delusions may be the patient’s way of trying to protect their family and home from intruders. Instead of trying to convince them there is no one present, caregivers should validate the patient’s perspective, saying “thank you for trying to protect me.”<br><br>Another common behavior is waking up early, getting dressed, and leaving the house to go for a walk. The person is probably used to having a routine or schedule, and they are trying to replicate the routine but have no awareness of time.<br><br>Caregivers need to address whether the patient’s basic physical needs are met, including any physical changes in the environment. Dementia patients often feel they are forced to do things against their will. “Words don’t matter as much as the way you say them,” said Pauldurai.<br><br>Some examples of changing the dementia person’s external environment include adjusting temperature and lighting; removing clutter and extra lights that cause shadows; dissolving pills in food or water if the person has trouble taking them; surrounding them with familiar faces and environments as much as possible; and ensuring regular sleep cycles and regular meals and hydration.<br><br>Caregivers may also need to make changes to the person’s internal environment, in collaboration with the person’s physician. Probiotics or prebiotics may help with digestion. Following a diet rich in nuts, berries, fruits, leafy vegetables, water, and low sugar, such as the Mediterranean Diet, may help reduce stress on the brain.<br><br>The dementia caretaking team, said Pauldurai, should work together to accomplish health and safety for the patient. This includes trying to understand the patient’s world and using dementia-friendly language.<br><br>“Practice the five Rs,” said Pauldurai: reassure, reorient, redirect, repeat, and most importantly, respect.<br><br>Pauldurai concluded by urging caregivers to know when they need help and to find the support they need to maintain a healthy work-life balance.<br><br>“When we join together, we make a difference,” said Melanie Bunn, a trainer for Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dd/61/03c84ac3463ea2c462f998598f64/aarp-caregivers-program-128.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 128.jpg" width="1252" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Melanie Bunn, trainer for Positive Approach to Care</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Snow is a dementia expert who developed a set of techniques based on understanding the parts of the brain that are no longer working in dementia patients and engaging the parts that are still active so patients and care partners can experience less stress and resistance and grow their relationships.<br><br>“The prefrontal cortex,” said Bunn, “is the last part of the brain to start working and the first to cause issues due to breakdown.”<br><br>The prefrontal cortex controls impulses, logic, and the ability to make choices. It also controls the ability to start, stay on a task, finish it, and move on. Another control is accurate self-awareness, or the ability to look at a situation and say either “I’ve got this” or “I need help,” along with perspective and the ability to accept when you need help.<br><br>With dementia patients, said Bunn, caretakers must recognize there must be a better way and be the impetus of change to best serve the patient. She also said caretakers must “build a bridge rather than a wall” as they build a caring team to work with the patient.<br><br>Snow’s method uses a GEMS® approach to different stages of brain change, based on the principle that until we see the beauty and value of a person at these different stages, they cannot be supported as they should.<br><br>Each stage is assigned a specific gem. In the sapphire stage, the person is generally fine but slowing down. In the diamond stage, they become harder, more rigid, and less flexible. In the emerald stage, they look to the past and want things to be the way they used to be.<br><br>Amber means caution, and when a patient reaches the amber stage, caretakers need to be cautious about sensations and under or over stimulation. Bunn recommends working to change the environment and giving the patient new things to explore.<br><br>In the ruby stage, the patient often loses motor skills, speech functions and comprehension, and visual awareness. In the final stage, pearl, patients become more hidden in their shells but still have many beautiful layers.<br><br>Bunn urged caretakers to take responsibility for change to help dementia patients at all stages “find their hidden sapphire.”<br><br>When Dr. Nicole Rochester’s late father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, she said it was “like a swift summer storm” that came out of nowhere.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="left">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/e7/37/0f6648204e3cafaa338f6f3063ab/aarp-caregivers-program-155.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 155.jpg" width="1419" height="1600" style="height: auto; max-width: 300px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Dr. Nicole Rochester, founder and CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>Rochester, founder and CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC, who was working as a pediatrician at the time, was “completely overwhelmed” and unsure how to integrate caregiving into her life.<br><br>Like many caregivers, she initially felt she could do everything herself and needed to learn how to ask for help. Once she communicated her need for help and accepted it, she felt transformed.<br><br>“In reality,” said Rochester, “the caregiving journey is like a maze – there is no roadmap.”<br>Nevertheless, she found many little glimmers of hope throughout the journey. “When the storm clouds start to shift, sometimes you can see a rainbow,” she said.<br><br>“Everyone sees a different rainbow,” said Rochester, but to see one, “the sun must be behind you.”<br><br>Rochester sees rainbows as connections that can restore many good aspects of a relationship, like laughing together over a memory or funny event. This helps caregivers to cherish the special moments when they connect with the dementia patient.<br><br>Rainbows help build resiliency. “Nothing can build strength like a caregiving journey,” said Rochester.<br><br>Rochester’s rainbows also helped illuminate her path to the future, as she ended up leaving her pediatric career to start her own company as an advocate for caregivers.</p><div class="Enhancement"   >
            
                <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure"
     data-alignment="right">
    <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/84/d7/4a9d7b104cf184c0ec46c9fdbc6e/aarp-caregivers-program-080.jpg" alt="AARP Caregivers Program 080.jpg" width="1600" height="1067" style="height: auto; max-width: 350px;"/>
    
        <figcaption class="Figure-caption">Attendees listen to presentations by caregiving experts.</figcaption>
    
    
</figure>
</div>
            
        </div><p>The benefits of finding rainbows, said Rochester, are compassion, strength, organization, and resilience.<br><br>“Use your rainbow as a compass for your future to help you find rays of light in your journey,” she said.<br><br><br>Conference attendees had the opportunity to attend break-out sessions on a variety of helpful topics, including financial and legal issues, improving hands-on skills, nutrition, end-of-life care, and virtual reality as a way to explore care. Numerous vendors provided information and resources.</p></div>
    
</div>
</p></span>
		</div>
	</div>

		<p><i>This story is provided by AARP Virginia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/virginia/" target="_blank">AARP Virginia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p>
	
</div>
</div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script>
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css">

<!-- bypass -->
<style>
a:focus, a:hover {
    text-decoration: underline;
}
h1.article-headline {
margin: 0 0 1rem;
}
</style>



<!--
<style>
.Enhancement-item .Figure {
margin-bottom: 24px;
}
.RichTextArticleBody-body ul {
    margin-bottom: 24px;
}
.RichTextArticleBody-body p{
    margin: 12px 0;
}
.RichTextModule-items {
   clear: both;
    display: table;
    width: 100%;
    margin-bottom: 12px;
}
.VideoEnhancement>* {
    color: var(--primaryTextColor);
    font-size: 13px;
    font-weight: 400;
    line-height: 1.4;
    font-style: italic;
    background: #f0efed
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
    .VideoEnhancement>* {
        font-size:14px;
        font-weight: 400;
        line-height: 1.47
    }
}

.VideoEnhancement-title {
    padding: 20px
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
    .VideoEnhancement-title {
        padding:30px
    }
}

.VideoEnhancement-player>* {
    position: relative;
    width: 100%;
    height: 0;
    padding-bottom: 56.25%
}

.VideoEnhancement iframe {
    border: 0;
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%
}
[data-video-player] {
    display: block;
    padding-bottom: 56.25%;
    height: 0;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

[data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] {
    padding-bottom: 56.25%;
}

[data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] {
    padding-bottom: 56.25%
}
</style>
--></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750">
<a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" 
	href="/richmond-va/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" 
	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
</div></div></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default-->
<!-- module_RHS - AARP Events -->

<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
	<header>
		<div class="pull-right">
			<a href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">
				<img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" />
			</a>
		</div>
		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Richmond</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Richmond</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
			<ul class="list">
				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/young-onset-dementia-m4nb3ytc8v9.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-YOUNGONSET-DEMENTIA-AND-ITS-CAUSES">Young-Onset Dementia and its Causes</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Hybrid (Attend Online or In-Person)</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/richmond-caregiving-workshop-znn6v9dtkjp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-RICHMOND-CAREGIVING-WORKSHOP">Richmond Caregiving Workshop</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 9:00&nbsp;a.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">VCU Health Hub at 25th</p>
					<p class="loc">Richmond, VA</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/behind-the-headstones-amazing-stories-of-heroes-at-arlington-national-cemetery-part-2-fdn4vmhwzy4.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-BEHIND-THE-HEADSTONES-PART-2-HEROES-AT-ARLINGTON-NATIONAL-CEMETERY">Behind the Headstones Part 2: Heroes at Arlington National Cemetery</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Nov 14, 2024 at 3:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div>
	<ul class="list">
		<li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li>
		<li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li>
		<li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li>
		<li>FREE second membership</li>
	</ul>
	<div class="action">
		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RICHMOND-VA">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RICHMOND-VA">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
	</div>
</div>
<style>
.membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;}
.membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; }
</style>
<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="module-spacer text-center">
<div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Virginia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Virginia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true">
	<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia">Facebook</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>

 
<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP<br />Virginia</h2>
</header>
<div class="wrap">

<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:VAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VAAARP@aarp.org</a></li>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/virginia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Virginia</a></li>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/contact-aarp-virginia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-RICHMOND-VA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>


</ul>
</div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPVirginia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://twitter.com/aarpVa" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a>



</div>
</div>

</div></div>
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div>
</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar -->
	<script type="text/javascript">
		jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() {
			window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href');
		});
	</script>
</div>
</div>
'
$scripts_for_layout = '<title>Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024</title>
<meta name="page_title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/>
<meta content="AARP Virginia Volunteers staff the resource table “Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th" name="description"/>
<meta content="Northern, Virginia, Dementia, Caregiver, s, Conference, 2024" name="keywords"/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/virginia/northern-virginia-dementia-caregivers-conference-2024" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/northern-virginia-dementia-caregivers-conference-2024-va-2024-11-12.html"/>
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/>
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta name="twitter:description" content="“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern"/>
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/36c203c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1354x870+0+16/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Ff1%2F2c%2Fbe9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96%2Faarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg"/>
<meta property="og:type" content="article"/>
<meta property="og:title" content="Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver’s Conference 2024"/>
<meta property="og:description" content="“Navigating the Journey: Adjusting the Sails in Dementia Caregiving” was the theme of the 38th Annual Caregiver’s Conference, presented by the Northern"/>
<meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/36c203c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1354x870+0+16/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Ff1%2F2c%2Fbe9c48d4489aad47d87fc8d35f96%2Faarp-caregivers-program-008.jpg"/>
        :root {
        --primaryColor: #ff1e3c;
        --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a;
        --linkTextColor: #1f66bd;
        --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd;
        --secondaryTextColor: #000000;
        --secondaryColor2: #000000;
        --secondaryColor3: #000000;
        --secondaryColor4: #000000;
        --secondaryColor5: #000000;
        --black: #000000;
        --white: #ffffff;
        --grey: #f0efed;
        --gridGutters: 30px;
        --modulePadding: 60px;
        --pageWidth: 86.11%;
        --maxPageWidth: 1240px;
        --horizontalAlignment: center;
        --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif;
        --headerBackgroundColor:#000000;
        --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF;
        --headerHeight:50px;
        --footerbackgroundColor:#000000;
        --footerTextColor:#918883;
        }'
$title_for_layout = '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP'
$asset_version = '230831'
$min = true
$nowrapper = false
$css = '        :root {
        --primaryColor: #ff1e3c;
        --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a;
        --linkTextColor: #1f66bd;
        --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd;
        --secondaryTextColor: #000000;
        --secondaryColor2: #000000;
        --secondaryColor3: #000000;
        --secondaryColor4: #000000;
        --secondaryColor5: #000000;
        --black: #000000;
        --white: #ffffff;
        --grey: #f0efed;
        --gridGutters: 30px;
        --modulePadding: 60px;
        --pageWidth: 86.11%;
        --maxPageWidth: 1240px;
        --horizontalAlignment: center;
        --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif;
        --headerBackgroundColor:#000000;
        --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF;
        --headerHeight:50px;
        --footerbackgroundColor:#000000;
        --footerTextColor:#918883;
        }'
$highlighting = ''
$location = '<a href="/richmond-va/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Richmond, VA</a>'
$no_header = false
$header_title = '<a href="/richmond-va/happenings/">News Feed</a>'
$header_subtitle = ''
$isPR = false
$navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse">
	<div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div>
	<ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true">
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li>
		<li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/richmond-va/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more">
			<span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span>
			<ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu">
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li>
				<!--
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/richmond-va/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li>
				-->
			</ul>
		</li>
		
	</ul>
</nav>'
$header_custom = ''
$breadcrumbs = array(
	(int) 0 => array(
		'title' => 'News Feed',
		'slug' => 'happenings'
	)
)
$row = array(
	'title' => 'Back to News Feed',
	'slug' => 'happenings'
)
$i = (int) 0
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136
BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81
ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ??
Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118