Caring for a parent or a loved one can quickly become time-consuming and overwhelming. This doesn’t take away from how much you love the person. It just means that you’ve been thrust into a new role, and you may not have the knowledge or resources to provide the level of long-term care your loved one needs… or even to navigate the complex system of services and supports.

Developed in 2000, our Family Caregiver Support Program assists informal caregivers with information, training, and supplemental services. We provide long-term care choices, consumer protection and education, so that you can help your loved one achieve the highest possible quality of life. We have Medicaid, non-Medicaid, and community programming available to help support family caregivers.

Theresa Niewiadomski, LSW, Family Caregiver Support Specialist, and Certified Caregiver Consultant leads the DHAD Family Caregiver Support Program and is available to support you during this difficult time. Theresa can be reached by phone at 330-899-5243 or email at tniewiadomski@dhad.org.

Complete an online Caregiver Support Referral

To access our full services and support, simply call the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 877-770-5558. You can request a long-term care consultation, where we will assess your loved one for placement with services such as:

  • Personal care aids
  • Homemaker services
  • Emergency response system (ERS)
  • Home-delivered meals
     

September 9th: Mindful Caregivers (and those who support them): Build Resilience to Stress with Mindfulness
THIS SESSION IS VIRTUAL **ONLY**
1.0 CEU: Social Workers, Nurses, Licensed Counselors

How many people wonder what it is like to live 100% in the moment, fully experiencing all the beauty and joy that each moment brings? Research has shown many benefits associated with practicing mindfulness such as improved sleep, attention, and life satisfaction. Who wouldn't want to live in a way that reduces pain, depression, and job burnout? Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to improve caregiver resilience to stress by giving them the tools needed to alter their response to stress. Practicing mindfulness is not rocket science, but it does take practice. During this workshop we will dispel some myths surrounding mindful practices, dive into data driven health benefits, and learn some real-world mindfulness techniques we can share with family caregivers helping them to cope with stress.

CLICK HERE for more information and to register
 

Missed a session or want to re-watch? CLICK HERE to go to our Caregiver Noontime Knowledge playlist on YouTube.

 

Support Groups:

Free for anyone to attend.

Led by Theresa Niewiadomski, LSW and certified Caregiving Consultant, or Kali Jobes, MSW. You'll receive resources and support to aid in your caregiving journey. 

Virtual: Mondays at 1PM on Zoom (weekly)

In-person: 

North Canton Library
185 N Main St
North Canton 44720
Daytime group: Third Tuesday of the month 1-2 PM-HOLD DUE TO LACK OF ATTENDEES
Evening group: Second Monday of every month 6-730pm, *exception: Wed Sept 10th and Monday October 27th

Akron-Summit Green Library
4046 Massillon Rd. 
Uniontown 44685
Every first Wednesday of the month 2-3 PM

 

Stark Library --North Branch
189 25th St. NW
Canton, OH 44709 
Every second Tuesday of the month 2-3:30 PM 

 

Catholic Charities Adult Day Center -for caregivers of attendees:
815 Biruta Street
Akron, Ohio 
Every 2nd Wednesday of the month 10am-11am 

 

Portage County group: 
Access to Independence 
4960 S Prospect Street
Ravenna, Oh 44266 
Every Third Wednesday of the month from 1-2pm 

 

Wayne County group
Dementia Friendly LIFE Memory Café (do not need to be an attendee to join group) 
First Presbyterian Church
621 College Ave.
Wooster, Ohio 44691
Last Wednesday of the month 11:15am-12:15pm 

 

Registration required for any support group. Contact Theresa Niewiadomski at tniewiadomski@dhad.org // 330-899-5243, or Kali Jobes at kjobes@dhad.org // 330-776-4638.

 

I Care For/Want to Work for a Veteran

Veteran's Directed Care (Learn more! Email vdcinfo@dhad.org)

Self-Directed Care

Active Daily Living: Web-Based Support

Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities has partnered with Active Daily Living to help Seniors and Family Caregivers with free, personalized advice to enhance health, independence, and aging-in-place. Contact Theresa (330-899-5243tniewiadomski@dhad.org) to learn more.

 Click here to login or sign up

“When my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, her doctor suggested a nursing facility. But rather than taking her out of the home that she’s lived in for 30 years, I decided to help. It quickly became overwhelming – until I learned of your services. With adult day care and two personal care aides, my mother now receives the 24-hour supervision she needs. Thanks for keeping Mom home.” – Sue R.