Dr. Joseph Gaugler

So when you're talking about social connection, creating greater social connections, social engagement, whether it's through volunteering or whatnot, I would argue that has benefits across the life course for all segments of society, not just older people. Similarly, when you talk about how do we create a greater age friendly health system?

So when you're talking about social connection, creating greater social connections, social engagement, whether it's through volunteering or whatnot, I would argue that has benefits across the life course for all segments of society, not just older people. Similarly, when you talk about how do we create a greater age friendly health system?

I mean, to me, the knee jerk obvious response is we need to incorporate geriatric principles. more effectively within health care systems. Well, quite frankly, that's good for anyone, I would argue, because good geriatric care is really good chronic disease care. And again, our health care system, at least in some instances, maybe in many, has fallen short in that regard.

I mean, to me, the knee jerk obvious response is we need to incorporate geriatric principles. more effectively within health care systems. Well, quite frankly, that's good for anyone, I would argue, because good geriatric care is really good chronic disease care. And again, our health care system, at least in some instances, maybe in many, has fallen short in that regard.

Yeah, I mean, self-care is generally a recommended strategy and approach in many, many support programs and interventions for families who are caring for loved ones with dementia, either at home or those who are trying to navigate this placement experience. And it is very hard, I think, to get many caregivers, number one, even identify that they're a caregiver.

Yeah, I mean, self-care is generally a recommended strategy and approach in many, many support programs and interventions for families who are caring for loved ones with dementia, either at home or those who are trying to navigate this placement experience. And it is very hard, I think, to get many caregivers, number one, even identify that they're a caregiver.

There are many people, you might know some in your own lives, where you see them, they clearly are extending a lot of energy and caring for, say, a partner, a spouse, a parent who is living with a chronic disease. But if you try to get them to identify themselves as a caregiver, oftentimes that doesn't even register.

There are many people, you might know some in your own lives, where you see them, they clearly are extending a lot of energy and caring for, say, a partner, a spouse, a parent who is living with a chronic disease. But if you try to get them to identify themselves as a caregiver, oftentimes that doesn't even register.

Well, I'm just doing this because I'm their son or I'm their wife or husband or partner. And so that self-identification often is critical in a first step to then open the conversation as to you're doing a lot for your loved one. You know, in some cases you're doing a heroic amount of work.

Well, I'm just doing this because I'm their son or I'm their wife or husband or partner. And so that self-identification often is critical in a first step to then open the conversation as to you're doing a lot for your loved one. You know, in some cases you're doing a heroic amount of work.

However, you need to take care of yourself in order to be the best possible caregiver, son, partner, spouse to your loved one. And here are some strategies on how to do that. And oftentimes that's a light bulb moment for many families because they don't think about that.

However, you need to take care of yourself in order to be the best possible caregiver, son, partner, spouse to your loved one. And here are some strategies on how to do that. And oftentimes that's a light bulb moment for many families because they don't think about that.

Oftentimes, sometimes when people approach us for our studies, even though we're very clear about, you know, this is a study about dementia caregiving or caregiving support, they often will enroll because they either want to do it to help somebody else, whether it's their loved one directly or some other caregiver out there, altruism, and never really identify what their own specific needs are per se.

Oftentimes, sometimes when people approach us for our studies, even though we're very clear about, you know, this is a study about dementia caregiving or caregiving support, they often will enroll because they either want to do it to help somebody else, whether it's their loved one directly or some other caregiver out there, altruism, and never really identify what their own specific needs are per se.

So that to me is a critical first step often in helping families with this entire situation of care and caregiving. And You know, we hold an annual conference each year at the University of Minnesota, a free one called Caring for People with Memory Loss.

So that to me is a critical first step often in helping families with this entire situation of care and caregiving. And You know, we hold an annual conference each year at the University of Minnesota, a free one called Caring for People with Memory Loss.

It's all about tools and resources for families, people living with dementia, as well as healthcare professionals, and how to best help someone living with cognitive impairments. And let me, let me ask you, you know, can I just make, I just want to finish this real quick, Stan. Yeah. And the one thing, and it's getting to Clarence's question.

It's all about tools and resources for families, people living with dementia, as well as healthcare professionals, and how to best help someone living with cognitive impairments. And let me, let me ask you, you know, can I just make, I just want to finish this real quick, Stan. Yeah. And the one thing, and it's getting to Clarence's question.

And the one thing that always strikes me is when people come to the conference, particularly for the first time, you know, their reaction is always, I never knew there were this many other people in this situation. And so, you know, again, this all dovetails with the loneliness thing, but then also the issue of self-care, as you mentioned, Clarence, sorry, Stan.

And the one thing that always strikes me is when people come to the conference, particularly for the first time, you know, their reaction is always, I never knew there were this many other people in this situation. And so, you know, again, this all dovetails with the loneliness thing, but then also the issue of self-care, as you mentioned, Clarence, sorry, Stan.