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
**NEW** Family Caregiver Noontime Knowledge Series
We are excited to bring you our newest offering in supporting our Family Caregivers. Beginning in January, each month we will have topics and information that are important to you. Bring a lunch and hear from speakers who are experts in their field, connect with new resources, enjoy some stress relieving activities, and be among other caregivers who understand your ups and downs.
WHEN: the 2nd Tuesday of each month 11:00 am-12:00 pm with optional time after for Q&A
WHERE: Direction Home Akron Canton (1949 Town Park Blvd., Uniontown) ~~OR~~ Virtually on Zoom
SCHEDULE OF TOPICS:
April 8th: Understanding Vascular Dementia and Aphasia: Enhancing communication through knowledge and support
1.0 CEU: Social Workers, Licensed Counselors, Nurses
CLICK HERE for more information and to register
Vascular dementia and aphasia can severely impact an individual's ability to communicate their needs, wants, and thoughts. These deficits can present as difficulty finding words, producing sentences, and clearly articulating speech sounds. It can be challenging to watch a patient or love one struggle with these challenges, but natural responses and attempts to help may have the opposite effect. Throughout this presentation we will review causes of vascular dementia and aphasia, common deficits with these diagnoses, and appropriate supports to assist communication
May 13th: Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia
1.0 CEU: Social Workers, Licensed Counselors, Nurses
CLICK HERE for more information and to register
Alzheimer’s is not normal aging. It’s a disease of the brain that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Join us to learn about the impact of Alzheimer’s, the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, Alzheimer’s disease stages and risk factors, current research and treatments available to address some symptoms, and Alzheimer’s Association resources.
June 10th: The Dementia CARES Approach: Using a person-centered approach in caring for someone with dementia
1.0 CEU: Social Workers, Licensed Counselors, Nurses, pending LNHAs
CLICK HERE for more information and to register
The CARES Dementia 5-Step Method is an evidence-based, award-winning, and nationally recognized approach to improve dementia-care skills for you and your staff members. It goes beyond information about dementia and actually instructs on what to do differently if care for someone living with dementia is not going well. Each CARES online training program incorporates the CARES Dementia 5-Step Method, engaging content, interactive activities, and real-life videos (no actors) of actual staff, experts, families, and people living with dementia.
Missed a session or want to re-watch? CLICK HERE to go to our Caregiver Noontime Knowledge playlist on YouTube.
Support Groups:
Support Group Confidentiality Agreement Form
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)
North Canton Library
185 N Main St
North Canton 44720
Every third Tuesday of the month 1-2 PM
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
Access to Independence (Starts April 16, 2025)
4960 S Prospect St
Ravenna, Ohio 44266
Every third Wednesday of the month 1-2pm (pending participation)
In-person support groups also available for caregivers of attendees at Catholic Charities Adult Day Center in Akron (Biruta St).
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.
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 (330-899-5243 / tniewiadomski@dhad.org) to learn more.
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