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Senior Committee

The Senior Committee of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities offers its expertise to caregivers of aging individuals with I/DD. 

Who We Are

The Lucas DD Senior Committee offers consultations and resources for providers, family members, and Lucas DD staff with cases involving an individual with a developmental disability who is aging and/or experiencing dementia-related symptoms.

This includes helping families plan for when the caregiver ages, and other family members and friends may need to take on a bigger role.

To make arrangements for a consultation or make any other inquiries about resources, email seniorcommittee@lucasdd.org.

 

Printed Resources

Tip sheets and other printed resources addressing a variety of topics related to supporting someone with dementia are available free of charge at the Lucas DD Larc Lane Center, 1155 Larc Lane (Door A). Spanish versions are also available.

Aging Gracefully Newsletter

Aging Gracefully is a monthly newsletter published and edited by the Senior Committee at the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Click here to read the current and previous issues.

 

Online Resources

Alzheimers.gov, the official US government web site about Alzheimer's, which is managed by the National Institutes on Aging, has a wealth of information about the various forms of dementia, and includes a page focusing on resources for caregivers, https://www.alzheimers.gov/life-with-dementia/resources-caregivers.

The Ohio Department of Aging includes a Caregiver Support Page, a link about Dementia Caregiving specifically, plus navigation tools for finding nursing homes and other services. (available on the home page.)

As the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age, AARP has a wealth of information for seniors and their caregivers.

USAging, the national association representing Area Agencies on Aging throughout the country, also offers webinars and other online resources about aging: https://www.usaging.org/content.asp?contentid=148

Careforth is a national HBCS organization that offers caregiving coaching and links caregivers with resources in their local communities, including in Ohio. This past post from their blog lists 10 of The Best Free Resources for Dementia Caregivers

The Ability Center of Greater Toledo's Disability-Friendly Toolkit features an always-updated list of resources on everything from housing to transportation to recreation and education.

We Thrive Together has a wide variety of virtual games, workouts, classes, parties and more, all free to individuals served by Lucas DD. For any questions regarding We Thrive Together, email Alyssa Criscito at alyssa@wethrivetogether.org.

 

Ohio-and-Michigan-Based Support Groups and Senior Programming 

(Mostly In-Person, Some Virtual)

Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio has all sorts of programs, activities, services, and referrals for seniors - including support for those caring for an older person and support for grandparents raising grandchildren. (Scroll through the Programs page.) You can call their main number at 419-382-0624, and ask to be connected to their Aging and Disability Resource Network. Ask about options for transportation to their programs. There are also numerous Senior Centers around Northwest Ohio, most with their own programs.

Senior Centers, Inc is another Toledo-based non-profit offer a wealth of information, resources, services, and activity opportunities for seniors.

The University of Toledo Center for Successful Aging offers presentations on a variety of aging-related topics, which they will bring to a group or organization's location on request, plus a walking-for-fitness program.

YMCA Toledo offers various fitness programs for Active Older Adults at various branches.

MemoryLane Care Services is a Toledo-based organization serving people with dementia and their families and educating the public. They offer regular virtual and in-person information sessions for caregivers

The Alzheimer's Association's Northwest Ohio Chapter offers support groups throughout 24 counties that they serve in Northwest Ohio.  Find additional Alzheimer's education events in the area at this link

Access a virtual support group, specifically for caregivers of people with IDD and dementia, from anywhere.

The Michigan State University Kinship Care Resource Center and the MSU Extensions host online parenting seminars with a focus on "kinship caregivers," meaning grandparents and relatives caregiving in place of parents. Click here and here.  

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Resource Center here in the area: https://tbirc.org/hours/

Brain Injury Association of Ohio has local support groups: https://www.biaoh.org/support-groups

 
Icon announcing Updated September 2024

Resources/Groups Designed Especially for the Siblings of People with DD

 

 

Lucas County SibShops logo

 

Click here for the 2024-2025 schedule of SibShops for siblings ages 8-16, hosted by the Educational Service Center of Lake Erie West and the Autism Society of Northwest Ohio - and more information

Click here for information about groups and networks supporting siblings who are caregivers of the sibling with DD, or preparing to be.

 

Virtual Training Programs - IDD and Dementia

The Alzheimer's Association Michigan Chapter offers a free webinar series about supporting those with both IDD and dementia, as part of its Developmental Disabilities Supportive Services Program. Click here to learn more

National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices (sometimes referred to as NTG) is dedicated to promoting services and supports for people with IDD and their families affected by dementia. Look on their site for Webinars and Trainings -including under the Webinars and Education tabs, and their Family Support page.

Virtual Training Programs - Dementia Generally

Dementia Friends is a global initiative to help everyone better understand dementia and learn how to make a difference in the life of someone affected by it. The Ohio Council for Cognitive Health operates Dementia Friends Ohio. Dementia Friends offers virtual trainings that any provider, family member, friend or community member can take. While many of their webinars are about dementia generally, Dementia Friends also offers information about people with both IDD and dementia, and has a program for helping people with IDD understand when dementia affects someone in their life.

 

Dementia Society of America

https://www.dementiasociety.org/videos-publications

The following offer, in addition to formal webinars and trainings, short videos that have practical, easy-to-follow, hands-on tips for addressing the everyday challenges of supporting someone with dementia.

Teepa Snow: Positive Approach to Care

Main Site: https://teepasnow.com/

Teepa Snow Video Page on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/teepasnow

Dementia Careblazers

Main Site: https://www.careblazers.com/ (social media pages at the bottom)

Youtube Video Page: https://www.youtube.com/dementiacareblazers

"Return to You" 

This online session with practical tips for how caregivers can prioritize self-care and their own mental health is available on-demand here. Although it was presented by the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities, the principles apply to caregivers caring for a person of any age with illness, disabilities, or dementia.

Old School Anti-Ageism Clearinghouse

Clearinghouse of resources - including videos, papers, infographics and more - dedicated to pushing back against stereotypes and prejudice related to age.

https://oldschool.info/

New Update September 2024 graphic

Activities 

Supplies for crafting - markers, buttons and popsicle sticks - on top of paper

Activity Toolkit developed by the Senior Committee-  for those who have developmental disabilities and/or are experiencing memory loss - Click Here!

Includes activities that promote calming and cognitive stimulation, as well as physical, outdoor, and creative activities. Videos and demonstrations, where to find activity supplies, tips for planning and implementing, and more.

 

Featured Game:

All About Us box, board and game pieces

All About Us is a cooperative, life-story-telling board game in which all players share their stories and explore their lives with one another - promoting conversation and connection with one another and with positive memories. Click here for more.

 

 

Click here for additional games, puzzles, and activities that offer both fun and exercise for the brain as you get older. 

Click here for art and craft project ideas and resources. 

 

Sites with Toledo's best parties, concerts, cultural events, classes and other attractions - some senior-focused, some for all ages:

MLiving News (meaning "Mature Living" - part of Adams Street Publishing - links to their other magazines at the bottom)

Toledo.com

The Buzz Book

Toledo Lucas County Public Library - Programs Tab

Education 

  • Celebrate EDU has online self-advocacy and business classes for people with I/DD:
  • The Toledo Lucas County Public Library is the place for free movies, books, online learning and homeschool programs for all ages!
  • Inside Wink is an online lifestyle magazine featuring: Recipes, gardening tips, reading suggestions, TV/movie suggestions, positive headlines and affirmations.

 

Future Planning

These resources are about planning for different stages of life, including financial, legal, and other planning to transition caregiving for the individual from one family member to another, as the initial caregiver ages. We encourage families to discuss to talk with your Service and Support Specialist and ISP Team about getting this kind of plan in place. 

ARC of the United States Center for Future Planning

https://futureplanning.thearc.org/

https://thearc.org/our-initiatives/future-planning/  (The ARC-affiliated sibling initiatives found above also address this subject.)

Charting the LifeCourse Tools

 https://frnohio.org/about-lifecourse/

Ohio Developmental Disabilities Resources and Publications page

https://ddc.ohio.gov/resources-and-publications

The Guardianship, Financial and Estate Planning, and Family Support pages in particular have resources related to long-term planning.

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