Conversations in Caregiving
When the Person You Love Is Experiencing Brain Changes
How do you stay connected with someone you love when dementia or other brain changes affect the way you communicate? Sheli Monacchio and Holly Gainsboro discuss caregiver grief, changing relationships, and ways to meet your loved one where they are.
Watch the WebinarA Conversation About Caregiving Through Brain Changes
Brain changes can affect memory, processing, communication, and everyday routines. In this recorded webinar, a New Jersey dementia care educator and a grief specialist share personal experiences and practical perspectives on caring for a loved one through these changes. The discussion focuses on communication, connection, and the caregiver's experience.
Who Should Watch?
This conversation is for family caregivers, care partners, professionals, and anyone supporting a person experiencing brain changes. Viewers in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and beyond can watch online. The discussion mentions Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, brain tumors, stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, and other conditions. Experiences vary by person and diagnosis.
Communication Through Change
Hear why listening for the feeling behind a loved one’s words, checking basic needs, and allowing time to respond can change a conversation.
Connection Over Correction
Explore ways to preserve dignity and adapt familiar routines so the person you love can still take part in daily life.
Grief During Caregiving
Understand anticipatory grief, changing roles, and the losses that can arise while a loved one is still living.
Caregiver Wellbeing
Hear how small moments of rest, support from others, and staying connected to your own interests can fit into a caregiving day.
Meet the Panelists
Sheli Monacchio and Holly Gainsboro bring professional experience and personal caregiving stories to this conversation.
Sheli Monacchio
Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, The Dementia Center
Sheli is a Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer. Based in Princeton and Bridgewater, New Jersey, The Dementia Center helps families and care professionals find ways to communicate and connect with people living with dementia. Sheli teaches Connection Over Correction and draws on her own experience as a family caregiver.
Holly Gainsboro
Founder, Golden Heart Grief Support & Education
Holly is a Grief Coach, Grief Support Specialist, and Grief Educator. Her experience caring for her late husband after a glioblastoma diagnosis informs her work with people navigating grief. In this webinar, she talks about anticipatory grief, changing caregiver roles, and finding support.
Part of the Conversations in Caregiving Series
This is the second recorded conversation in Family Resource Network’s series for family caregivers, care partners, and professionals. The first webinar, Navigating the ALS Journey, features four I AM ALS volunteers speaking about changing care needs, independence, caregiver mental health, and support.
The series leads into the National Caregivers Conference, November 1–2, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Princeton in Princeton, New Jersey. Learn about the conference.
Watch the First Conversation
Hear caregivers share their experiences in Navigating the ALS Journey.
Caregivers of New Jersey
Find caregiver information, education, and links to New Jersey resources through FRN’s Caregivers of New Jersey affiliate.
FRN Caregiver Support
Explore New Jersey caregiver resources, including respite information and support groups.
Looking for more education? Browse Family Resource Network videos and webinars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this recorded caregiver webinar about?
Sheli Monacchio and Holly Gainsboro discuss caring for someone experiencing brain changes. The conversation covers communication, dementia care, anticipatory grief, changing relationships, moments of connection, and caregiver support.
How can I communicate with a loved one experiencing dementia-related changes?
Sheli suggests listening for the feeling behind a person’s words, considering whether a basic need may be unmet, using simple language, and giving the person time to respond. The approach may need to change from one day to the next.
Can I grieve changes in my loved one while they are still here?
Yes. Holly describes anticipatory grief and the grief caregivers may feel as roles, routines, abilities, and hopes for the future change. She also talks about remaining present with the person you love.
Does this webinar only cover Alzheimer’s disease?
No. The discussion includes dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, along with experiences involving brain tumors, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other conditions. It focuses on caregiving themes that may be relevant across diagnoses, while recognizing that each person’s experience differs.
Is the webinar free to watch on demand?
Yes. The recording is free and runs approximately 71 minutes. Watch it on YouTube or use the player at the top of this page.
Where can caregivers in New Jersey find more support?
Explore Caregivers of New Jersey resources and FRN’s New Jersey caregiver support guide for education, information, and links to local resources. Availability and eligibility depend on the program.
Does this recording provide medical advice?
This webinar shares general educational information and caregiving perspectives. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, safety concerns, or decisions related to an individual’s care.
Watch the Conversation
Return to the recording for ideas about communication, caregiver grief, and staying connected through change.
Watch the Recorded Webinar