Selection of Mentors for Training.  We will select 10 – 12 people, each with an extended experience caregiving a person with dementia.  Applications and interviews, as well as a standard Background Check will be necessary.  A critical component will be the commitment to the period of training and to working with one or more new dementia caregivers, forat least as much as 6 months if needed.  The time per week will not be great—around 3 hours per week during training and an hour or so per week after that.

            For every aspect of this program, we will provide caregiver relief for those who want and need that, free of charge.

            Phase 1.  We will have a single meeting with all Mentor-in-Training, for an Introduction to the program and personal “get acquainted.”  We will have brief introduction, with role plays, on the issues of Confidentiality and Boundaries in Mentoring.  Subsequently, each Mentor-in Training will complete Alzheimer’s Association online training courses available for free.  Total time:  2 – 3 hours at their convenience.  These courses are brief and help provide a broader view of dementia than most trainees will have from their caregiving experience with one person with dementia.  

            We will provide the books about dementia caregiving and mentoring.  In addition, we may assign other online materials (blog entries, such as Joy in the Moment, Anger & Aggression, Happy Lies, and Finding a Facility).

            Phase 2.  Training will consist of six weekly (evening or weekend) training sessions,  Each session will consist of two hours of training, including skill learning through role playing.  Each session will require some advance reading/responding.  Planned sessions are:

1.      Introduction to the Program.  Avoiding Personal Viewpoints (religious, political, etc.). Assertiveness. Making appointments and initial time with Mentee, Record Keeping.  Deep Listening.  Finding Joy.

2.     Interaction Principles.  Open ended Questioning, Uncovering Feelings.  Process vs Results.  All with role plays.

3.     Medical/Mental Health Referral Dementia Patient and Caregiver.  Emotional Support for Caregiver.  Role plays about stresses, depression, and other mental health issues.

4.     Paperwork and Outside Help.  Will, Advance Directive, POLST, POA.  Family & friend help.  Extended Care:  In Home, Memory Care Facilities.  Role plays about making those decisions.

5.     Community Resources.  Role plays.

6.     Late Dementia Issues.  Medical decisions, Dying.

Many sessions will include discussion with experts.

Phase 3.  Mentees will be recruited/screened prior to completion of Mentor training.  Mentees will be individuals who are early in the process of caregiving for a person with dementia.  Applications, interviews, and background check will be necessary.  A discussion with each of them will raise issues of confidentiality, boundaries, regular meetings, etc.  Matching will be based on, to the extent possible, similarity of background and experience.  Mentor interactions with mentees should initially be in person and weekly and restricted to about an hour. 

Supervision.  We will maintain ongoing contact with Mentors, both by supervisory contact and by availability for support.   There will be monthly meetings (live and/or ZOOM) with all Mentors to discuss their experiences and provide mutual feedback.  Additional training experiences will also be provided during those meetings.

Data Acquisition.  This is a pilot project.  We will develop qualitative questions and quantitative rating forms to be administered to all participants at appropriate intervals.

BLOGS.  We will post information related to caregiver mentoring, as a resource for anyone dealing with dementia caregiving and the support/mentoring we can provide.  First blog is a broad view of dementia caregiving issues that caregivers must deal with.Make it stand out