Free Webinar on Surviving Caregiving and Finding JOY

Can I survive as a caregiver?
By the way, is it too much to ask for a sprinkle of JOY?

On November 10th at 2pm ET – one week from today, I will be conducting my first webinar on Finding the JOY in Caregiving. Hint: The first step is to survive caregiving (and conducting this webinar)!

This is based on my popular keynote with the same name: Can I Survive as a Caregiver? If you register in advance (link at end of this message), you’ll have the opportunity to interact with me at no cost (beyond your internet connection). You will not be on video; so, no need to worry about how you look. However, you will be able to key in comments and questions and I’ll respond live via video (and audio) to as many of your messages as possible while continuing the thread of Surviving as a caregiver and Finding the JOY.

Caregivers ask, “Do we LAUGH or do we CRY?

While a caregiver to my late father with Alzheimer’s, I knew that no matter how difficult the journey, I was always able to find a sprinkle of JOY. As the disease progressed, the joys got smaller and smaller, but they helped my husband and me care for him another day…that was until we started showing signs of Alzheimer’s! We couldn’t believe it, there is actually a name for it – Caregiver Dementia.

Here is an example: Caregiver drives into the garage door–once, twice, then three times – ruining two power antennas (on her car then her husband’s), one back end (not her’s – the car’s) and the garage door. We were getting Alzheimer’s trying to keep up with my father’s care!

“These uplifting, funny, and joyous experiences will bring caregivers hope and much-needed strength to cope from one day to the next.” –Brenda Avadian, MA

HealthCentral and Wellsphere, in partnership with JustinTV, have invited me to present this live webinar for National Family Caregiver’s Month and National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.

“You are a master of story who entertained the audience by weaving humor into your tragic tale…I would absolutely recommend you to anyone in need of an animated, humorous, and heartfelt spokesperson.”—SuzAnn Nelsen, Director of Supportive Services
Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center, California

As an expert speaker for thirty years and author of eight books, including “Where’s my shoes?” My Father’s Walk through Alzheimer’s and the Finding the JOY brand of books, my goal will be to cover as much of the entire range of the caregiving experience as time and our interaction will allow.

Topics may include:

1. Why and How we made the decision to get involved.
Don’t do it our way!
2. The joys, challenges, and hardships of caregiving.
In the middle of our street, my father screams: Help they’re holding me prisoner! Wandering, the kidnapping, and a visit to the Sheriff’s station.
3. Diagnosis 
Dementia? Who are you calling demented? How do you spell Alzheimer’s?
5. Respite through adult day care.
My father will never go to a day care center…well, not until he began dancing with the ladies!
6. Community support: Support group, Resources, Internet
7. Joy through the hardships
8. Legacy of lives changed

My mission is to provide INSPIRING messages to bring HOPE, STRENGTH, and JOY to you the family caregiver and professional.

“Brenda is very passionate and engaging with the group. The genuine honesty and willingness to share her personal experiences, really makes the life of a caregiver come to life, so that all can relate.” —A Professional

Sign up in advance! [Updated 11/11/2017: Link disabled since webinar has passed.] After my introductory remarks, I will invite you to text your questions/comments. Technology is amazing, isn’t it?  The test run certainly stretched the left and right hemispheres of my brain!

There are too many caregivers who die before their loved ones do. Don’t be one of them. Join us!

Besides, you won’t want to miss my Top Three Tips to Survive and Find the JOY in Caregiving.

Share with your family, friends, and colleagues. The more who join this Webinar, the more FUN we’ll have, the more productive we’ll be, and we’ll even learn from each other how to Survive then Find the JOY in Caregiving.

We can survive caregiving and we may even find a sprinkle of JOY!

We may even be joined by our Family Caregiver of the Month of November – Carol Wright. Read about Carol at the above link to see the creative ways she has found to bring joy to her mom in late stage Alzheimer’s.

If you’re on Facebook, sign up for the event at  Webinar: Can I Survive as a Caregiver? [Updated 11/11/2017: Link disabled since webinar has passed.]

Join us on November 10, 2010 at 2pm ET.  For free registration, click on: Surviving then finding JOY in Caregiving Webinar with Brenda Avadian  [Updated 11/11/2017: Link disabled since webinar has passed.]

Brenda Avadian, MA
Caregiver Spokesperson, Advocate, & Author
Editor, TheCaregiversVoice.com