Heather Janes Dementia and Aging Expert

03/27/2026

The following two classes are free and available in-person and also virtually via Zoom. Below is a brief description of each.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers - This program helps family caregivers reduce stress, improve self-confidence, improve communication, balance their lives, increase their ability to make tough decisions, and locate helpful resources. The caregiver class consists of six sessions held once a week. Participants will receive a book, The Caregiver Helpbook. The class and the book are free to participants. Classes will be held April 2- May 7.

Savvy Caregiver - Caring for a person with dementia is a role like no other. This class is for unpaid family caregivers. The small group discussion classes address the progressive impact of the illness and the skills needed to manage daily caregiver responsibilities. Classes will be held April 14-May 19. Through the six sessions you will learn to:
· Understand dementia & its effect on behavior.

· Develop strategies to build contented involvement in the care recipient, creating a calmer environment for all.

· Develop effective strategies for caregiving and decision making.

· Adopt a more strategic outlook on caregiving and work.

For questions, please contact Carmen Spurling, Active Generations Caregiver Services Manager at cspurling@activegen.org or (605) 333-3319.

03/25/2026

Hot off the press! Here's your free Guide to Navigating Dementia

https://dhs.sd.gov/content/dam/digital/united-states/south-dakota/sdo/pdf/long-term-services-and-supports/caregiver-resources/Guide-to-Navigating-Dementia.pdf

03/22/2026

Death can be scary and it can be beautiful. Understanding the death process makes a difference. I support my patients and their families by giving them the most education around death as possible to help them feel comfortable and maybe experience even a little joy.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1FgahCLZx4/

03/11/2026

Losing someone can be hard, but watching this video might provide some insight or a glimmer of joy!

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1FpM7ux9Xa/

03/10/2026

🧠The US POINTER Study🧠
Healthy behavior has a powerful impact on brain health. Check out the study! Participants who participated in a structured program decreased their "brain age"!

The structured group in U.S. POINTER followed a program with greater structure, intensity and accountability than the self-guided group. This is the “recipe” they followed:

Physical exercise: 30-35 minutes of moderate-to-intense aerobic activity four times a week, plus strength and flexibility exercises twice a week.

Cognitive exercise: Computer-based brain training program three times a week for 30 minutes, plus regular engagement in other intellectually challenging and social activities.

Nutrition: Adherence to the MIND diet, which emphasizes dark leafy greens, berries, nuts, whole grains, olive oil and fish, and limits sugar and unhealthy fats.

Health monitoring: Regular check-ins on blood pressure, weight and lab results.

https://www.alz.org/us-pointer/study-results

03/09/2026

Welcome! If you're new here- I appreciate you joining the page! My name is Heather and I'm the owner of Monarch Dementia Caregiver Services, LLC founded in 2021! I provide knowledgeable resources, guidance, and support to those providing care and support to someone living with dementia. This can be a long, hard journey but with the right tools and support, there can be joy found.

Reach out at any time to schedule an appointment with me. No referral needed. Private-pay only option. Virtual and phone visits available. You do not need to live local for help.

Monarchdementiacare@yahoo.com

03/02/2026

Are you a rural caregiver (caring for someone with dementia)? Message me! I've got an awesome opportunity for you that doesn't require too much of your time (15mins and get $$ if you qualify)!

02/24/2026

Spark! FREE LINK BELOW!
Robin Williams' story with Lewy Body (without a diagnosis)- a widow's advocacy journey.

https://www.mediflix.com/channels/lewy-body-dementia-association/video/parkinsons-lbda-spark?collection=228&fbclid=IwVERTSAQJ6K9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR5kdKyk9nvR50z9DpDminMlUW8MMqcn7owzY27X1MSDuNMAs3Is75nW-Gf22Q_aem_7XamfORxtS0qO7yW9yoA_w

02/20/2026

It's National Caregiver Day!

Today is . But for 63 million family caregivers, caregiving isn't a one-day acknowledgment. It's a round-the-clock reality that reshapes everything. Finances. Health. Careers. Sense of self.

The latest Caregiving in the US 2025 report from the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP pulls back the curtain on what family caregivers face every day:

➡️ Nearly 1 in 3 are sandwich generation caregivers, raising kids while caring for an aging or disabled adult.
➡️ Nearly half face financial strain.
➡️ 1 in 5 report their own health as fair or poor.

Meet Whitney. She cared for her husband with brain cancer while raising a toddler and working as an attorney. She battled guilt over whether she was giving enough to either of them. When she needed help with medical tasks, she didn't qualify for assistance and couldn't afford it. When benefits didn't arrive, she had to call her Congresswoman. She describes caregiving as living in a bubble of high emotion and worry, where thinking straight felt impossible.

Meet Sarah. She cared for her brother through cognitive decline. After he passed, she realized his needs had hidden early signs of her mother's dementia. Then her husband was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's at 55. Now Sarah provides over 40 hours of care weekly—bathing, injections, finances—while her rural community offers no specialists. She was forced to retire early from her career. Her mother's assets are tied up in family land, a heritage they refuse to lose. If nursing home care becomes necessary, they could lose everything.

These are not isolated stories. They represent a national reality.

On , we celebrate caregivers. But celebration alone is not enough. Caregivers deserve systems that sustain them — not systems that rely on their sacrifice.

Explore the full Caregiving in the US 2025 report to better understand the experiences shaping families in your state and across the country: 🔗 caregivingintheus.org

Read Whitney’s care experience: 🔗 https://www.caregiving.org/care_stories/whitney/

Read Sarah’s care experience: 🔗 https://www.caregiving.org/care_stories/sarah/

02/18/2026

Monarch Dementia Caregiver Services, LLC.
Heather Janes
Monarchdementiacare@yahoo.com
2six2-358-3950

02/18/2026

Caregivers are the unsung heroes!

Need support? Reach out!

Monarchdementiacare@yahoo.com
262-358-3950

Heather 💕

02/11/2026

***Aging Well 2026: Join Us for a Free 3‑Part Webinar Series!***

You’re invited to this year’s Aging Well virtual workshop series, offering three sessions designed to support healthy, confident aging. All webinars are FREE and will be recorded for viewing later, so you can participate live or watch whenever it works for you!

*February 18 – Navigating Family Estrangement in Older Adulthood
Learn why estrangement happens, its impact on aging, and ways to support those affected.
*March 18 – Polypharmacy & Deprescribing
Understand medication risks and how deprescribing can enhance safety and quality of life.
*April 15 – Beyond the Will: The Decisions, Documents & People of Estate Planning
A 90‑minute deep dive into key estate planning documents, decision‑makers, and strategies to avoid common mistakes.

All workshops begin at 10:00 a.m. CT/9:00 a.m. MT, and you can register by searching “aging well” on the SDSU Extension Events Page: https://extension.sdstate.edu/events

Please share to help others discover these valuable, accessible learning opportunities!

SDSU Extension partners with DANR to offer pesticide certification program required for commercial applicators. The 2026 online course will be offered through Traininghouse and will be open from December 3, 2025, through February 28, 2026.