Featured Colleagues

For those well individuals concerned about cognitive health and wishing to enhance mental function, LIAF offers a Brain Fitness program, consisting of 10-week series of classes, offered 3X/year. The course builds on research showing that the brain continues to form new connections throughout one's life.   During the weekly sessions, the program's professional facilitators coach participants through a series of structured exercises working those areas of the brain that are most susceptible to aging.

For those living with an early-stage memory disorder (Mild Cognitive Impairment, early Alzheimer's disease, or early-dementia), LIAF offers a multi-dimensional early-stage program, with a range of specialized activity groups. A LIAF staff member works collaboratively with each individual and family to determine which group program(s) will best meet the social, cognitive, and emotional needs of the diagnosed individual, while providing peace of mind and respite to the family caregiver(s). LIAF's early-stage programs include:

• Al'z Club: A socialization and mental stimulation program for those with early-stage Alzheimer's disease, related dementias, or Mild Cognitive Impairment.  Activities include trivia, word games, guest presentations, and live entertainment. Al'z Club provides the sort of stimulating programming one might find at an adult education program, geared to the needs of participants with early-stage dementia.
• Early-Stage Group: A professionally facilitated therapeutic group for individuals who acknowledge having a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or other progressive dementia and are interested in sharing feelings with their peers. The group offers participants with emotional support for coping with their diagnoses and the accompanying changes in roles and abilities.
• Train Your Brain: A small group cognitive training program for individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment and very early-stage dementias. The goal is to provide challenging mental stimulation to improve/maintain cognitive skills. Participants work through a range of tasks involving short-term memory, attention, problem solving, logical and abstract thinking, and spatial-constructive functions, with guidance and coaching by LIAF's cognitive trainer.
• Creative Expression: An innovative program for individuals diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer's disease, or a related dementia. The program integrates a variety of Eastern and Western artistic and therapeutic modalities, including Dance therapy, visual art, music, tai chi, and relaxation/visualization to promote body-mind connection, body image, self-expression, and interactive skills.
• Individual Cognitive Training: An opportunity for individuals wishing to enhance cognitive functioning to work one-to-one with LIAF's cognitive trainer on a personalized program of computer-based and/or pen-and-paper brain fitness tasks.

In addition to its early-stage programming, LIAF offers social adult day programming for those whose dementia has progressed beyond early stage.   LIAF's two specialized adult day programs are:

• Happy Days Club: A social model adult day program targeted at the needs and abilities of those living with Alzheimer's disease or dementia in the moderate stage. The program incorporates a variety of therapeutic and recreation modalities, including art, music, dance, pet therapy, and mental stimulation, while providing caregivers much-needed time off from the day-to-day challenges of their caregiving role.
• Memory Lane Club: A social model adult day program tailored to the needs of those with moderate to late-stage dementia. LIAF's caring professionals utilize music, movement, and art to provide opportunities for interconnection and manageable levels of social and mental stimulation for program participants. The program structure is flexible, and activities are adapted regularly to meet the current energy-level, mood, and abilities of participants.

For those wishing to receive services within the home environment, LIAF offers an In Home Respite Program for Nassau County and Queens County residents. Available for two hours every other week, the program offers cognitive and social stimulation for the participant, and much needed respite for the caregiver. During this period, caregivers are able to take care of personal appointments, engaging in social interactions of their own, run errands or take a needed rest. LIAF's experienced companions engage participants in various recreational activities, including arts and crafts, music, exercise, and current events. The respite program is an activities program, not a health care service.

For family caregivers, LIAF offers caregiver support groups, facilitated by Licensed Social Workers:

• Spousal Caregivers: Support Groups are available for the early, moderate, and late stages and offer a nurturing and supportive environment where caregivers can open up about the challenges they face and learn from others that relate to their issues. Group provides a safe space to explore a full range of emotions about a spouse's illness and the caregiving role.
• Adult Children: A professionally facilitated group geared to the unique issues that adult children face when juggling the needs of an ill parent with their own personal, professional, and/or family responsibilities. Members share personal experiences and offer mutual support, while also exploring the role family issues may play in their current experience with a parent's illness. Group provides a safe space to explore a full range of emotions about a parent's illness and the caregiving role.

To best meet the needs of all our participants and caregivers, LIAF is pleased to incorporate three new services, effective autumn 2011:

• Onsite Physical Therapy Through Distinctive Home Physical Therapy(PT): Distinctive Home PT's physical therapist will be onsite at the LIAF headquarters in Port Washington several days a week, allowing LIAF participants and their caregivers to get physical therapy services within the comfort of the familiar LIAF environment. By providing PT services at LIAF, this partnership will enhance convenience for caregivers, allowing them to avoid making an additional trip for their therapy services.
• Onsite Medical Massage/Chiropractic Services with Syosset Health and Wellness Center: Dr. Max Heller will be onsite at LIAF one day a week providing gentle massage for pain management. These sessions are designed to help manage the pain that may accompany movement, so that clients can begin to engage in exercise with less discomfort.
• Transportation Services: Beginning in fall 2011, LIAF will provide bussing to its headquarters in Port Washington, for participants in LIAF's day programs and early-stage programs (initially, this service will be limited to specific geographic areas).

 VIDEO SUPPORT MODULES PROVIDED BY LIAF

Module 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq3afuxt0BA

- The LIAF story

Module 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLPEANvGM3I 

- About support groups

Module 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCpDdj4cOaU

- Adult Day Care - Late Stage Care

LIAF Public Service Announcement http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=543Jfxx2SaA

Caregivers Can Assist In Helping To Keep Alzheimer's and Dementia Patients Engaged