Mahakian Opens Free Dementia Caregiver Groups in Santa Ynez and Rolling Hills
Family Connect Care founder provides in-person and virtual meetings for families managing the physical and emotional strain of dementia caregiving.
By Ana Castro ·
Lauren R. Mahakian, founder and CEO of Family Connect Care, has launched a series of complimentary support groups for families caring for individuals with dementia. The sessions operate in Santa Ynez and Rolling Hills Estates, with an additional virtual option available through Zoom. Mahakian, a Certified Dementia Practitioner and geriatric care manager, has facilitated these groups for nearly two decades.
The Santa Ynez Valley group meets at Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church in Santa Ynez. These sessions occur at 10 a.m. on the first and third Mondays of every month. The South Bay group convenes at Rolling Hills United Methodist Church, located at 26438 Crenshaw Blvd. in Rolling Hills Estates. Those meetings take place at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. A virtual group also holds sessions via Zoom on the first Wednesday of every month.
Mahakian emphasizes that a dementia diagnosis does not erase a person's identity. She states that loved ones still require meaningful engagement, companionship, laughter, and dignity. She notes that medication effects, depression, and sleep problems can also impact memory, meaning not every instance of forgetfulness indicates dementia.
According to Mahakian, no two individuals experience dementia in the same way. She advises caregivers, spouses, and healthcare professionals to look beyond the clinical diagnosis and adjust their expectations. She argues that while the condition may change how a person remembers or communicates, it does not reduce their value as a human being.
The support groups aim to address the emotional and physical exhaustion of caregiving. Mahakian describes the gatherings as confidential environments where participants can share experiences, ask questions, and find humor. She encourages attendees to join without needing all the answers, stating that they should simply come as they are.
Mahakian asserts that self-care is an essential component of caring for another person. She provides contact information for interested families, listing her email as Lauren@familyconnectcare.com, her phone number as 319-383-1877, and her website as familyconnectcare.com. The groups are open to spouses, adult children, and professional caregivers.
