When my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, my mind filled with questions and apprehension. At that time, two friends’ parents were also diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
friends and I began monthly meetings at my home where we shared information and experiences while caring for our parents. At those meetings, we cried and we laughed together. Eventually, our group grew to include eight daughters of parents diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. We named our group “DPD” – Daughters of Parents with Dementia. DPD became a testimonial to the need for a support system when a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Each new member found comfort in the knowledge that anything they were experiencing or feeling was not unique tothem and their loved ones.
Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area is here to provide you with the many levels of support to help you in your everyday struggles in coping with the overwhelming diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.
Marcia L. Kirk, Respite Center Coordinator Assistant
Monday, August 30, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
In Support of Adult Day Centers
The National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA) is the leading voice of the rapidly growing adult day services (ADS) industry and the national focal point for ADS providers. Members include adult day center providers, state associations of providers, corporations, educators, students, retired workers and others interested in working to build better lives for adults in adult day programs every day. NADSA is positively impacting the lives of participants, families, communities and our nation.
Having recently attended the NADSA conference and Board Meeting, it was interesting to learn trends in the day center industry. The keynote speaker, Lisa Gwyther, MSW, LCSW, noted that there has been a 35% increase in adult day centers in the United States since last year. She also noted that Family Care is changing. There are more sole caregivers. There is less secondary support. More adult child caregivers as well as male caregivers are surging to the forefront. Additionally, caregiving has an impact on employers as 12% of the American workforce are now primary caregivers.
And, the growing trend, according to Gwyther, is RESPITE care. Unfortunately, caregivers resist this arrangement. RESPITE is the most referred, the least available, and utilized less than any other community service. Caregivers struggle not only with the meaning of the term, but also with the knowledge of services, the stigma, the loss of control, and even with the disclosures of privacy issues.
Yet, like Charlie’s Place, adult day centers and RESPITE care can reduce isolation and bring a productive and purposeful day to a loved one, especially one struggling with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia disorder. The quality of life for individuals with this disease can be enhanced and enriched in these environments and these environments are as good for the care receiver as well as the caregiver. Caregivers have a chance to relax, run errands, and have time away from the responsibilities of caring for their loved ones. Significant improvement in caregiver and patient quality of life is evidenced because of Adult Day Centers.
Not surprisingly, Gwyther closed her presentation with a strong recommendation for Day Centers across the country to open dementia-specific centers and Respite Care to accommodate the growing need and the rising numbers of those who are affected by Alzheimer’s.
It was refreshing to know that Charlie’s Place is on the leading edge of RESPITE care and that our continuing efforts in programming and services lend to a quality of life for both our beloved clients and their caregivers. We salute each of you….our clients, our caregivers, and all our staff as we celebrate National Adult Day Services Week in September. We believe in NADSA’s motto as the commemorative poster states: “Adult Day Services – An older adult’s good friend. A disabled adult’s source of dignity. A valuable community resource.” Thanks for supporting us as we support all of you!
by Dana Territo, Director of Services
Having recently attended the NADSA conference and Board Meeting, it was interesting to learn trends in the day center industry. The keynote speaker, Lisa Gwyther, MSW, LCSW, noted that there has been a 35% increase in adult day centers in the United States since last year. She also noted that Family Care is changing. There are more sole caregivers. There is less secondary support. More adult child caregivers as well as male caregivers are surging to the forefront. Additionally, caregiving has an impact on employers as 12% of the American workforce are now primary caregivers.
And, the growing trend, according to Gwyther, is RESPITE care. Unfortunately, caregivers resist this arrangement. RESPITE is the most referred, the least available, and utilized less than any other community service. Caregivers struggle not only with the meaning of the term, but also with the knowledge of services, the stigma, the loss of control, and even with the disclosures of privacy issues.
Yet, like Charlie’s Place, adult day centers and RESPITE care can reduce isolation and bring a productive and purposeful day to a loved one, especially one struggling with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia disorder. The quality of life for individuals with this disease can be enhanced and enriched in these environments and these environments are as good for the care receiver as well as the caregiver. Caregivers have a chance to relax, run errands, and have time away from the responsibilities of caring for their loved ones. Significant improvement in caregiver and patient quality of life is evidenced because of Adult Day Centers.
Not surprisingly, Gwyther closed her presentation with a strong recommendation for Day Centers across the country to open dementia-specific centers and Respite Care to accommodate the growing need and the rising numbers of those who are affected by Alzheimer’s.
It was refreshing to know that Charlie’s Place is on the leading edge of RESPITE care and that our continuing efforts in programming and services lend to a quality of life for both our beloved clients and their caregivers. We salute each of you….our clients, our caregivers, and all our staff as we celebrate National Adult Day Services Week in September. We believe in NADSA’s motto as the commemorative poster states: “Adult Day Services – An older adult’s good friend. A disabled adult’s source of dignity. A valuable community resource.” Thanks for supporting us as we support all of you!
by Dana Territo, Director of Services
Monday, August 16, 2010
2010 Walk/Run to Remember PSA
We are very excited about this year's Walk/Run to Remember. The Walk/Run PSA was created with our Walk/Run Honorary Chair Rolfe McCollister Jr. and Political Consultant James Carville.
2010 Walk/Run to Remember
October 9, 2010
LSU "Old Front Nine
Registration 8:00 am
Race 9:00 am
Walk 9:10 am
Memory Market Exhibitors 8:00 am
Don't forget the register yourself or a team early at BRhope .com. See you there!
2010 Walk/Run to Remember
October 9, 2010
LSU "Old Front Nine
Registration 8:00 am
Race 9:00 am
Walk 9:10 am
Memory Market Exhibitors 8:00 am
Don't forget the register yourself or a team early at BRhope .com. See you there!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Activity Ideas for Someone with Alzheimer's
Listed below are activity ideas for someone with Alzheimer's
Julie D. Brewer, MA
Program Coordinator/Respite Administrator
- Rake leaves
- Use the carpet sweeper
- Read out loud
- Feed fish and care for the tank
- Look up names in the phone book
- Read the daily paper out loud
- Ask someone to visit
- Listen to music
- Plant seeds indoors or out
- Look at family photographs
- Clean & top up the bird bath
- Weed the flower bed
- Fold clothes
- Have a friend visit with a calm pet
- Cut pictures out of greeting cards
- Polish silverware
- Baking / mixing
- Sort objects by shape or color
- Sing old songs
- Go for a drive/ride
- Take a walk
- Reminisce about 1st day of school
- Ask simple trivia questions
- Make a salad
- Sweep the patio
- Fold towels
- Have afternoon tea
- Paint a picture
- Cut out paper shapes
- Make a family tree poster
- Put feed out for the birds
- Water house plants
- Reminisce about the first kiss
- Dance
- Sing favorite hymns
- Make homemade ice cream
- Make Christmas / Birthday cards
- Write a letter to a family member
- Make popcorn
- Give a manicure
- Dusting
- Finish famous sayings
- Feed the ducks
- Mold with play dough
- Put a puzzle together
- Polish wood
- Rub in hand lotion
- Arrange fresh flowers
- Remember famous people
- Straighten out underwear drawer
Julie D. Brewer, MA
Program Coordinator/Respite Administrator
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