Caring for the Caregiver Webinar Series

Overview

Are you a family caregiver living in Massachusetts? Your support and care may include managing medications, getting to a doctor’s appointment, helping with groceries, or organizing finances. 

Caregiving is a journey. You may just be starting to create a care plan, or already providing full-time care. Either way, caregiving is an emotional and physical time commitment, and the Executive Office of Aging & Independence is here to be your partner in managing any emotional, physical, and/or financial stress that can come from caring for a loved one.  

The Agency partners with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to bring you the Caring for the Caregiver webinar series. This virtual series connects family caregivers in Massachusetts with information and resources regarding their caregiver responsibilities, as well as tips to care for themselves. Each webinar focuses on a different aspect of caregiving, such as self-care for caregivers and navigating family dynamics. 

The Caring for the Caregiver webinar series brings simple, practical solutions to family caregivers throughout Massachusetts.

Never miss an episode. Click here to receive email notifications when new webinars are posted. 

Upcoming Webinars

Webinar Topic: When the Brain’s Warning System Fails: Understanding Dementia’s Hidden Challenge

When: Tuesday, Oct. 21 from 12:00 -1:00 PM

Webinar Description: 

Imagine a computer with antivirus software that stopped working. Normally, the antivirus scans for problems, detects threats, and sends alerts when something is wrong. But when that system fails, "viruses" can spread silently, and no warnings appear. 

This is what happens in the brain with anosognosia, a neurological condition common in dementia. When the brain’s “self-monitoring system” is damaged, a person doesn’t realize they are experiencing cognitive decline, no matter how obvious the symptoms may seem to their loved ones. This lack of awareness is not stubbornness or denial, but a direct result of brain changes beyond their control. 

Understanding anosognosia is critical because it directly impacts important care decisions, such as medications, driving, and future planning. When families recognize their loved one isn’t intentionally resisting help, they can approach these situations with greater compassion and make decisions that prioritize safety and dignity. 

In this webinar, Christopher Wight, MSW, LICSW, Senior Clinical Social Worker at Massachusetts General Hospital Outpatient Neurology, specifically the Memory Disorders Unit and the Movement Disorders Clinic, will share examples and practical strategies from his work with families and individuals living with dementia. Key takeaways: 

• What anosognosia is, why it happens, & how it differs from denial
• Common challenges families face and strategies for responding with effective, compassionate communication
• How to manage caregiver stress, grief, & expectations to prevent burnout and strengthen care relationships
• How understanding anosognosia can guide safer decisions around medication, driving, & future planning By the end of the session, participants will gain a clearer understanding of the neurological basis of anosognosia, along with tools to navigate difficult conversations and care decisions while fostering empathy, resilience, and emotional well-being for both themselves and their loved one.

Register here

Previous Webinars

To watch previous episodes in the Caring for the Caregiver webinar series, explore our YouTube playlist or select specific episodes from the list below: 

• Self-Care for Caregivers
• Fraud, Scams, and Financial Abuse – What Caregivers Should Know
• Ambiguous Loss
• Family Dynamics & Communication with Other Family Members
• Training Opportunities for Caregivers 

For questions, comments, or feedback about the webinar series, email MassCaregiver@Mass.gov.