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 b-monthly (every other month) 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.
Ask us about this training - Sensory and Relaxation Techniques for Individuals with IDD and Dementia - and search for "Seniors" and "Dementia" on the Lucas DD YouTube Channel. Ask us about other trainings we can present to your agency or organization.
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.
The Parent 2 Parent network matches parents, siblings, foster parents, grandparents, and other caretakers, whose loved one of any age has a disability or special health need, with Support Parents, who are peer mentors who have been through similar experiences, for one-on-one mentoring and support based on individual needs and issues.
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
Resources/Groups Designed Especially for the Siblings of People with DD
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/
Activities
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:
Rummikub is a classic numbers game combining elements of rummy and mahjongg, involving creating sets and runs from number tiles. Click here and here to learn more.
Click the links below for games, puzzles, and activities that offer both fun and exercise for the brain as you get older. (New updates for May 2025.)
Read about the benefits of pinball and local spots to play pinball, as well as the history of pinball.
Click here for an updated list of 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 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.)
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.