Dear Friends,
As summer fades and the pace of life starts to settle back into routine, I find myself thinking about how much steadiness matters, especially for those of you caring for a loved one. This month, we’re turning our attention to something simple but powerful: safety. Small changes at home, a little extra awareness, and a few honest conversations are often what help our loved ones stay independent and protected as the seasons shift.
September is also National Fall Prevention Awareness Month, a timely reminder that even small precautions can prevent life-changing injuries. Inside this issue, you’ll find practical guidance on recognizing safety concerns, along with resources to support you every step of the way.
And, mark your calendars. Our Annual Aging Well Symposium & Resource Fair is just weeks away! You’ll find all the details inside.
Wishing you a season of steadiness, safety, and renewed routine.
With gratitude, Luz Johnson Founder, Aging Well of CA
Join us on Saturday, October 3rd, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Orangevale Community Center for a day of connection, encouragement, and practical tools for the aging journey. Plus, a Resource Fair filled with trusted local professionals ready to answer your questions and point you toward the support you need.
Know a friend, neighbor, or family member navigating caregiving or aging? Forward this along or invite them to join you. The more people who know about this day, the more families we can support together.
Registration is free. We encourage you to register in advance so we can plan for a great turnout. We can’t wait to see you there!
We’re thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of the Aging Well Life & Legacy Planner — a guided workbook to help you organize, plan, and navigate aging with confidence and dignity. Covering everything from health and financial planning to caregiving and legacy conversations, this planner will make its debut at the Symposium.
Stop by our table during the Symposium for more details and to purchase your copy!
Caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most emotionally complex roles a caregiver can face. Unlike many other illnesses, cognitive decline affects memory, judgment, personality, and communication — often changing the relationship long before physical health is lost. Caregivers must adapt continuously while grieving losses that unfold gradually over time.
Education is essential. Understanding that dementia is progressive helps set realistic expectations and reduces frustration. Confusion, repetition, mood changes, and agitation are symptoms of the disease, not intentional behavior. When caregivers recognize this, they are better able to respond with patience and compassion rather than fear or anger.
Communication often becomes increasingly difficult. Simple language, calm tones, eye contact, and reassurance help reduce anxiety and confusion. Correcting or arguing may escalate distress, while validating emotions and gently redirecting attention often leads to more peaceful interactions. Predictable routines can also provide comfort.
Safety becomes a growing concern as cognitive abilities decline. Risks such as wandering, medication errors, driving, and household hazards increase over time. Caregivers may need to make gradual environmental changes — securing exits, simplifying the home, removing dangerous items, or arranging additional supervision as needs evolve.
The emotional toll on caregivers is significant. Many experience anticipatory grief, mourning the gradual loss of the person they once knew while still providing daily care. Feelings of sadness, guilt, exhaustion, and isolation are common and should not be ignored. Support groups, counseling, and community resources can offer understanding and relief.
Caregivers must also plan for progression. Dementia care changes over time, often requiring increased supervision, outside help, or eventual placement. Preparing emotionally and practically for future stages allows caregivers to make decisions thoughtfully rather than in crisis — creating stability and reducing fear as needs evolve.
Dementia caregiving requires flexibility, resilience, and ongoing support. While the journey is challenging, caregivers do not have to walk it alone. With education, realistic expectations, and compassionate support, caregivers can provide meaningful care while also protecting their own emotional and physical well-being.
The Alzheimer’s Association is the largest nonprofit organization in the United States dedicated to support, care, and research related to Alzheimer’s disease and all forms of dementia. Founded in 1980, it serves as a trusted resource for families navigating the challenges of memory loss.
The organization supports people living with Alzheimer’s or related conditions at any stage, as well as family caregivers, friends, and loved ones providing daily care or emotional support.
A cornerstone of their work is support groups — held in-person and virtually — offering caregivers a safe, confidential setting to share experiences and learn from others facing similar challenges. These groups are facilitated by trained leaders and address topics such as daily caregiving challenges, disease progression, behavior changes, and caregiver self-care.
The Alzheimer’s Association also operates a free, toll-free 24/7 Helpline (800-272-3900), connecting families to trained specialists for emotional support, resource navigation, and crisis assistance in more than 200 languages. Additional online tools, including ALZNavigator™ and ALZConnected®, help families find next steps and connect with a moderated community for support.
Educational workshops covering dementia behavior, communication strategies, safety planning, and legal and financial planning are offered throughout the year, often led by medical experts and experienced facilitators. The organization also hosts community events such as the Walk to End Alzheimer’s®, bringing together families, caregivers, and advocates to raise awareness and support research — creating spaces where families can connect with others who understand their journey.
Most Alzheimer’s Association programs — including support groups, the helpline, and educational resources — are free of charge. No family should face Alzheimer’s or dementia alone.
Visit their website: alz.org
Caregiver and loved one support groups offer something many families need but rarely ask for: understanding. These groups create a safe, welcoming space where caregivers and those they care for can connect with others who truly understand the emotional, physical, and relational challenges of aging and caregiving.
Unlike traditional support groups designed only for caregivers, combined caregiver-and-loved-one groups allow both individuals to participate together — reducing isolation and reminding everyone involved that they are not alone.
For caregivers, these groups provide an outlet to share concerns openly, learn coping strategies, and hear from others facing similar situations. For older adults or care recipients, participating restores a sense of autonomy and voice, reinforcing dignity and mutual respect.
These groups can take many forms — discussion-based sessions on stress management or navigating healthcare systems, or blended formats with light activities, education, or guided reflection. Meetings may be in-person or virtual, depending on accessibility needs.
Participating together helps reframe the caregiving relationship, easing tension and creating shared understanding. It also normalizes the challenges of caregiving — hearing others voice similar fears reduces shame and self-blame, and families often leave feeling more confident and emotionally grounded.
Social connection is another key benefit. Regular meetings build routine and friendship, especially important for caregivers who may have limited time for social interaction. Over time, groups often become trusted communities where members check in on one another outside meetings.
Caregiver and loved one support groups are a cornerstone of Aging Well — reminding families that while caregiving can be challenging, it does not have to be lonely.
Intergenerational activities bring older adults, caregivers, children, and younger adults together in meaningful ways. These shared experiences bridge age gaps, reduce isolation, and create a sense of purpose that benefits everyone involved.
Older adults often carry deep life experience, wisdom, and stories worth sharing. Younger generations bring energy, curiosity, and new perspectives. Together, these strengths complement one another — participants connect through shared interests, learning, and service rather than focusing on limitations.
For caregivers, intergenerational programs offer a refreshing change of environment. Caregiving can feel isolating, and these activities remind caregivers and loved ones that they remain active participants in the broader community — not defined solely by care needs.
Research shows that intergenerational interaction improves emotional well-being for older adults, boosting mood and reducing loneliness. For individuals experiencing cognitive changes, interacting with children or young adults often feels less intimidating and more joyful than peer-only settings. Younger participants benefit too, gaining empathy and appreciation for aging while breaking down stereotypes.
Examples include reading programs where older adults read with children, storytelling or oral history projects, shared art or craft sessions, gardening projects, and mentoring or tutoring programs. Some are structured partnerships with schools, libraries, or faith communities; others are informal family or neighborhood gatherings.
Intergenerational activities work best when participation feels natural rather than forced. They support Aging Well by reinforcing purpose, connection, and belonging — reminding older adults and caregivers that they remain valuable contributors to their communities.
Caregiving often brings financial challenges that families do not anticipate. Beyond medical expenses, caregivers may face reduced income, increased household costs, and long-term impacts on their own financial security. Without planning, the financial strain of caregiving can quickly become overwhelming.
Understanding the full cost of care is an important first step. Expenses may include in-home care services, assisted living or memory care, medications, medical equipment, transportation, home modifications, and uncovered healthcare costs — costs that can increase gradually or escalate suddenly.
Open conversations about finances are critical. Caregivers and loved ones should discuss income sources, savings, insurance coverage, and expectations for care. While these discussions can feel uncomfortable, transparency helps prevent misunderstandings and allows families to make informed decisions together.
Caregivers should also explore available resources early — long-term care insurance, veterans benefits, government assistance programs, or employer-based caregiver support. Many families miss opportunities for assistance simply because they are unaware these programs exist.
Protecting the caregiver’s own financial future is equally important. Using personal funds without documentation or reducing retirement contributions for extended periods can have lasting consequences. Keeping records, setting clear agreements, and seeking professional guidance can help caregivers support their loved one without sacrificing long-term stability.
Caregivers should also consider how caregiving affects employment and future earning potential. Reducing work hours or leaving the workforce can significantly impact long-term financial security. Understanding these tradeoffs allows caregivers to plan proactively and seek benefits that may offset lost income.
Financial planning does not eliminate emotional stress, but it creates structure and options — helping caregivers make thoughtful decisions that protect both generations.
Artisan Mind blends the power of art with faith-based care to nurture individuals living with Alzheimer’s, cognitive, and physical challenges. Through personalized art sessions, expressive painting, and guided “Art Reveals” experiences, participants are invited to reconnect with memory, meaning, and self-expression — often easing some of the emotional side effects of dementia. Programs are offered in both group and one-on-one settings across Northern California and are tailored to each person’s interests and abilities, whether or not art has been part of their life before.
Artisan Mind also offers dedicated caregiver support, including practical and spiritual resources for the questions and challenges caregiving brings. Their work reflects a simple belief: creativity and connection remain possible at every stage of memory loss.
Join us as we celebrate the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of Right at Home Folsom Lake! Stop by our new El Dorado Hills office to meet our team, connect with members of the community, and learn more about how we help older adults remain safe, comfortable, and independent at home. Enjoy refreshments, live music, and a special ribbon-cutting ceremony as we celebrate this exciting milestone in partnership with the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce. We’d love to have you join us!
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
5:00–7:00 PM
4993 Golden Foothill Pkwy., Suite 1
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
Registration & Event Details
https://web.eldoradohillschamber.org/events/Grand-Opening-Ribbon-Cutting-Mixer-at-Right-at-Home-Folsom-Lake-10553/details
Caring for a loved one takes tremendous heart. This 6-session series invites caregivers to pause, breathe, and reconnect through painting and collage — no artistic experience necessary, all materials provided. Sessions run October 5–November 23, 1:30–3:30 PM, at Auburn Senior Center. Funded by the Auburn Host Lions and the Arts Council of Placer County. RSVP with Monica Sherman at 530-823-8172 or monica.sherman@auburnseniorcenter.org.
Caring for a loved one with dementia brings unique, exhausting challenges. Join this monthly 1-hour education series for practical, proven approaches to managing complex behaviors and symptoms. Held the 1st Tuesday of each month, starting September 1st, 5:30–6:30 PM, at Town Square Innovative Adult Day in Folsom. Call 916-461-4123 to RSVP.
Do you have an event, workshop, or resource the caregiving community should know about? We’re actively welcoming new sponsors and partner organizations to feature their events right here, starting at just $100. And, Newsletter Sponsors are also added to our exclusive Speakers Bureau, opening the door to speaking opportunities throughout the year.
Our Annual Aging Well Symposium & Resource Fair is just weeks away, bringing together caregivers, seniors, and healthcare professionals actively seeking services like yours. Sponsorship opportunities start at $75. Every table-level sponsorship and above includes a $250 donation to Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center and the Orangevale Parks & Rec Senior Program. Don’t miss this chance to connect with our community and grow your business.
Beyond the Symposium, our monthly newsletter puts your business in front of caregivers, seniors, and healthcare professionals across Sacramento County and surrounding areas, month after month. Sponsorship includes a themed article, your logo, and an event listing.
**NEW*** As a Newsletter Sponsor, you’ll also be added to our exclusive Speakers Bureau — a curated directory of trusted local experts that Luz turns to first when speaking opportunities arise in the community. It’s one more way to stay visible and share your expertise, even between issues.
Options start at $100 for a single event listing, $300 for a 6-month cycle, or $550 for full-year visibility. Spots are limited to 3 businesses per month.
Looking for trusted information on caregiving, aging, and senior services? Our Resource page has you covered. From expert video conversations with senior industry professionals to past newsletters packed with practical guidance, everything you need is just one click away. Whether you are a caregiver navigating a new challenge or a family member looking for answers, these tools are here to support you every step of the way.
