Dementia touches thousands of families across the Northwest Valley, often bringing with it confusion, exhaustion, and a deep sense of uncertainty about how to best support a loved one. To help families navigate this challenging journey, the Care and Support Ministry of The Church of the Palms will host a free community workshop, “When Love Doesn’t Feel Like It’s Enough: Living with the Diagnosis of Dementia in Your Family,” on Saturday, October 3, from 10 a.m. to noon.
The workshop will be led by Jack Register, a licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and founder of Catharsis Counseling Center in Phoenix. Register brings years of experience working with individuals and families affected by dementia, trauma, and major life transitions. He is currently completing his PhD through Yeshiva University in New York, with a focus on clinical practice and family systems. His work is known for blending compassion, clarity, and practical tools that caregivers can use immediately.
The morning will offer participants a grounded understanding of what dementia is, how it progresses, and how its symptoms affect daily life. Register will guide attendees through caregiving strategies that support both the person living with dementia and the caregiver
themselves—recognizing that the emotional, physical, and spiritual toll on caregivers is often profound.
Topics will include communication approaches that reduce frustration, environmental adjustments that promote safety and calm, and ways to create routines that honor dignity while easing daily challenges. The workshop will also highlight the importance of caregiver self-care, offering insight into burnout, boundary-setting, and how to build a sustainable support network.
Organizers emphasize that while love is the foundation of caregiving, dementia often demands more than love alone can carry. Education, community, and practical tools can make an enormous difference in the lives of both caregivers and those they support.
The event is free and open to all community members—caregivers, family, friends, neighbors, and anyone who wants to better understand dementia and how to respond with compassion and confidence.