DLM University

The Distance Between Us : Understanding Family Estrangement, Emotional Distance, and Disconnection Course Description Join Us for An Online Community Conversation An Online Community Conversation Family relationships are an important part of our lives, but they don't always turn out the way we hoped or expected. Sometimes the relationships we once felt close to become strained, communication becomes difficult, or we find ourselves feeling emotionally distant from people we care about. Other times, relationships change so significantly that communication stops altogether. Whether you're experiencing complete estrangement, limited contact, emotional disconnection, or simply want to better understand these complicated family dynamics, we invite you to join us for an open and supportive conversation. Join Dr. Alyse November, PhD, LCSW, and Stephanie Newberg, LCSW, for a free online discussion about family estrangement, why it happens, how it affects us, and ways to navigate the challenges that come with changing family relationships. We also want to hear from you! What questions do you have? What challenges are you facing? What would you like to understand better? Your input will help us identify the topics and resources that would be most meaningful to individuals and families. This is an educational and supportive conversation, not group therapy. You're welcome to participate, ask questions, or simply listen.

Senior Culture : Building Empathy, Respect, and Community in Senior Living Environments Course Description Senior Culture© Program Building Empathy, Respect, and Community in Senior Living Environments The Senior Culture© Program was created after years of clinical and community work with older adults revealed a growing but often overlooked problem within senior living environments: relational conflict, exclusion, and late-life bullying among residents. Research suggests that 10–20% of seniors experience bullying in residential communities, and many more struggle with peer pressure, social conflict, and interpersonal challenges that can negatively impact their wellbeing and sense of belonging. The Senior Culture© Program is a comprehensive educational and community-building initiative designed to help both residents and staff create more respectful, empathic, and cooperative living environments. Through structured learning, interactive activities, and guided discussions, participants gain practical tools to better understand relational dynamics and foster healthier interactions within their community. This program is ideal for Independent Living Communities, Assisted Living Communities, Senior Centers, and 55+ residential communities seeking to proactively address interpersonal conflict while promoting a culture of empathy, acceptance, and connection. Program Highlights 10-session interactive series for residents 4-session educational series for staff Web-based learning modules and downloadable worksheets Interactive activities designed to promote empathy, communication, and conflict resolution Topics include: Late-life bullying and peer pressure The role of the bystander Conflict management Empathy development Creating cooperative and inclusive communities Strengthening interpersonal relationships Each lesson is designed to take approximately one hour and can be broken into shorter segments if needed. Materials are easy to implement and structured to encourage active participation and meaningful discussion. Additional Support The program also includes facilitator support, pre- and post-program assessment tools, and optional live facilitation by a trained presenter from Different Like Me Culture©. By fostering greater understanding and cooperation among residents and staff, the Senior Culture© Program helps communities: Improve resident satisfaction and wellbeing Strengthen relationships within the community Reduce conflict and social isolation Enhance reputation and word-of-mouth referrals

Dementia Activity- Missing Features Course Description This short video will provide caregivers with interactive hands-on activities designed to stimulate cognitive processes and foster a positive interaction with the person they are caring for. Caring for someone who has dementia is one of the most challenging and complicated experiences a person will encounter. Dementia/ Alzheimer’s Activity ”Missing Features”, provides mentally stimulating activities that promote positive interactions between caregivers and people with any stage of memory loss. For these activities we will give you ideas for objects that are commonly found around the house, but you can always improvise. The activities will be offered at three different skill levels and you can modify as needed.  You will need paper and a pen for this activity.

Dementia Activity: Spare Change Course Description Available On Demand Now  This short video will provide caregivers with interactive hands-on activities designed to stimulate cognitive processes and foster a positive interaction with the person they are caring for. Caring for someone who has dementia is one of the most challenging and complicated experiences a person will encounter. Dementia/ Alzheimer’s Activity ”Spare Change”, provides mentally stimulating activities that promote positive interactions between caregivers and people with any stage of memory loss. For these activities we will give you ideas for objects that are commonly found around the house, but you can always improvise. The activities will be offered at three different skill levels and you can modify as needed.  You will need pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, four paper bags and a pen for this activity.

Dementia Activity: Where Have You Bean Course Description This short video will provide caregivers with interactive hands-on activities designed to stimulate cognitive processes and foster a positive interaction with the person they are caring for. Caring for someone who has dementia is one of the most challenging and complicated experiences a person will encounter. Dementia/ Alzheimer’s Activity “Where have you BEAN?”, provides mentally stimulating activities that promote positive interactions between caregivers and people with any stage of memory loss. For these activities we will give you ideas for objects that are commonly found around the house, but you can always improvise. The activities will be offered at three different skill levels and you can modify as needed.  You will need a piece of paper and something to write with for this activity.

Dementia Activity: Copy Design Course Description This short video will provide caregivers with interactive hands-on activities designed to stimulate cognitive processes and foster a positive interaction with the person they are caring for. Caring for someone who has dementia is one of the most challenging and complicated experiences a person will encounter. Dementia/ Alzheimer’s Activity “Copy Design” provides mentally stimulating activities that promote positive interactions between caregivers and people with any stage of memory loss. For these activities we will give you ideas for objects that are commonly found around the house, but you can always improvise. The activities will be offered at three different skill levels and you can modify as needed.  You will need a piece of paper and something to write with for this activity. Can be used with someone who has Alzheimer’s or any type of dementia.

Dementia and Wandering Course Description This short video will cover some basic safety issues about dementia and wandering. Why do people wander? People wander for all different reasons, maybe they are bored, maybe they want to go for a walk, or maybe they think they must be somewhere. In any case, wandering can be a major safety concern for someone with Dementia/ Alzheimer’s.  Not all people with a cognitive disorder wander, but many do. You always want to make sure someone is safe even if they have never wandered before. We know this is an ever-changing disease and wandering behavior can occur at any time even if it has never occurred in the past.  We provide instructions and suggestions to caregivers on how to manage a variety of challenges and difficult behaviors presented by someone who has a cognitive disorder. Caring for someone who has dementia is one of the most challenging and complicated experiences a person will encounter.

Dementia and Repeating Questions Course Description This short video will address challenges that caregivers have when asked the same question over and over again by someone who has dementia. When someone has dementia, they may ask the same question over and over again.  Do you feel frustrated, overwhelmed and not sure how to respond? This is a common occurrence when someone has Dementia/ Alzheimer’s and there are multiple suggestions that may help. We provide instructions and suggestions to caregivers on how to manage a variety of challenges and difficult behaviors presented by someone who has Dementia/ Alzheimer’s. Caring for someone who has dementia is one of the most challenging and complicated experiences a person will encounter.

Dementia and Driving Course Description This short video will cover some basic safety issues about dementia and driving safety. When your family member has a cognitive disorder at what point they should no longer be able to drive.  How do you take away the car keys? We provide instructions and suggestions to caregivers on how to manage a variety of challenges and difficult behaviors presented by someone who has Dementia/ Alzheimer’s. Caring for someone who has dementia is one of the most challenging and complicated experiences a person will encounter.

Dementia and Cooking Safety Course Description This short video will cover some basic safety issues about dementia and cooking safety. When a person has a memory disorder should they still be able to use the stove? What safety issues may arise? Do they forget that they are cooking and go into another room? How do you effectively and safely manage this issue? We provide instructions and suggestions to caregivers on how to manage a variety of challenges and difficult behaviors presented by someone who has Dementia/ Alzheimer’s. Caring for someone who has dementia is one of the most challenging and complicated experiences a person will encounter.

Marriage and Dementia Course Description When a spouse or partner has dementia, everything changes.  Roles, the relationship, intimacy, family dynamics, hopes for the future, safety issues, planning and more.  This course will help you as a professional address the marital and partners needs of this growing population.  Information is based on research as well as therapeutic experience. This course will provide you with information, instruction and therapeutic techniques you can utilize in your practice. Course Outline and Objectives Understand dementia and the different diagnosis Presentation of challenges for spouses and partners Intimacy redefined Managing safety concerns addressing capacity issues and challenges Managing the relationship with home health care in the home or placement