
Florida Gulf Coast Chapter
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Calendar
All programs are free to attend unless otherwise specified.
May 1st, Caregiver Education The ABC's of Caregiving, Emeritus at College Park, 5612 26th Street West, Bradenton, 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.*
May 2nd Caregiver Education The ABC's of Caregiving at Freedom Village, 3rd floor private dining room in the Inn and Health Center 6410 21st Avenue West, Bradenton. Please rsvp for lunch (941) 798-8200.11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.*
May 2nd, Public Education Alzheimer's Overview at Hidden Lakes Memory Care,1200 54th Avenue west, Bradenton. 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
May 3rd, Caregiver Education The Basics of Alzheimer's at Westminster Shores. 1700 3rd AvenueWest, Bradenton. 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
May 7th Caregiver Education: Caregiver Stress: How To Cope, Windsor Oaks, 2614 43rd Street west, Bradenton. 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
May 7th , Caregiver Education Navigating Life Changes Senior Identity Theft: How to Protect Yourself From It, H2U Cortez, 6670 Cortez Road West, Bradenton. 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
May 8th, Caregiver Education Advanced Directives: What Caregivers Need to Know at Windsor Reflections 8230 Nature's Way Lakewood Ranch 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
May 8th Caregiver Education: Caregiver Stress How to Cope at Manatee South Branch Library, 6051 26th Street West, Bradenton. 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
May 10th, Memory Screenings at H2U Bayshore Center, 6049 26th Street West, Bradenton. 9:00 a.m-12:00 p.m.
May 14th, Caregiver Education: Ways to Alleviate Stress at Windsor Oaks, 2614 43rd Street West, Bradenton. 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
May 16st Caregiver Education: Caregiver Stress, at Braden River Care Center,2010 Manatee Avenue East, Bradenton. 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.*
May 21st Caregiver Education: The ABC's of Caregiving at Clare Bridge,6101 Pointe West Boulevard, Bradenton. 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.*
May 21rd, Caregiver Education: Navigating Life Changes Lifetime Enrichment at H2U Cortez, 6670 Cortez Road west, Bradenton. 1:00p.m.-3:00p.m.
May 22nd, Caregiver Education: Acupuncture and the Alleviation of Stress at Summerfield Assisted Residence, 3409 26th Street West, Bradenton 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.*
May 24th Memory Screenings at Manatee Library South Branch, 6081 26th Street west, Bradenton, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
May 28th Caregiver Education Caring for the Caregiver at Windsor Oaks 2614 43rd Street West, Bradenton. 10:00a.m. -12:00 p.m.
May 28th, Caregiver Education Navigating Life Changes Help for You and Your Home at H2U Cortez 6670 Cortez Road West, Bradenton. 1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Coming in June
June 5th Caregiver Education The ABC's of Alzheimer's Disease Emeritus at College Park, 5612 26th Street west, Bradenton 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.*
June 6th Caregiver Education The Alzheimer's Virtual Tour at Freedom Village, 3rd floor private dining room, 6410 21st Avenue West, Bradenton; please rsvp for lunch (941) 798-8200. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.*
* Respite provided by host site; please call to RSVP. |
Support Groups
Alzheimer's Association-Florida Gulf Coast Chapter affiliated support groups are for family members, caregivers, and others interested in learning more about Alzheimer's disease. Meetings are open to everyone and free of charge. Support group facilitators have received training as required by Chapter and National Alzheimer's Association standards. For program information and to verify meeting dates, times, and locations, please use the telephone contacts listed below. For other questions or for respite care information so you can attend a group, call your local office or 1- 800-272-3900.
Message Boards: The Alzheimer's Association message boards and chat rooms are your online communication forum. Our message boards have over 9,000 registered members from around the United States, and many more people who simply browse the stories and information that is offered 24 hours a day. Join the Alzheimer's Association online community.
Island Branch Library 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach 2nd Friday of each month at 2:00 p.m Facilitator: Sue Fox (941) 365-8883
Bradenton
Clare Bridge Bradenton 6101 Pointe West Boulevard 4th Tuesday of each month at 2:30 p.m. Facilitator: Debra Luther Clare Bridge phone (941) 795-5533
Summerfield Assisted Living 3409 26th Street West 3rd Wednesday of each month at 12:00 p.m. Facilitator: Pam Green (941) 751-7200 Free lunch with RSVP
Windsor Oaks 2614 43rd Street West 4th Thursday of each month at 10:00 a.m. Facilitators: Linda Delaberti/ Lulu Meyer (941) 798-9701
Freedom Village 6410 21st Avenue The Inn and Health Center 3rd floor dining room 3rd Thursday of each month at 2:30 p.m. Facilitators: Erika Gibson (941) 798-8200
The Bridge of Bradenton 4000 75th Street West 3rd Wednesday of each month at 12:30 p.m. Facilitator: Sue Fox (941) 365-8883
Lakewood Ranch
Windsor Reflections 8230 Nature's Way 2nd Wednesday of each month at 11:00 a.m. Lunch provided with RSVP Facilitator: Julie Gartside (941) 957-1400
Ellenton
H2U of Blake Medical Center 7042 US Hwy 301 North 3rd Friday of each month
Facilitators: Sue Fox 941-365-8883
* Indicates Free Respite is provided by the support group host during the support group meeting. Please call in advance for reservations.
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Early Stage Program
The Alzheimer's Association has early stage dementia programs.
Are you or someone you know experiencing early stage dementia? If so, they may qualify to participate in one of our early stage programs.
For more information contact your local office. |
Caregiver Stress Check
 Are you a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer's or dementia? Do you feel overwhelmed? You may be putting your own health at risk. Take our Caregiver Stress Check and get resources that can help. |
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Genes and Alzheimer's
The 23 human chromosome pairs contain all of the 30,000 genes that code the biological blueprint for a human being.

There are two categories of genes that influence whether a person develops a disease: (1) risk genes and (2) deterministic genes. Researchers have identified Alzheimer's genes in both categories.
Risk genes increase the likelihood of developing a disease, but do not guarantee it will happen. Researchers have found several genes that increase the risk of Alzheimer's. APOE-e4 is the first risk gene identified, and remains the gene with strongest impact on risk. APOE-e4 is one of three common forms of the APOE gene; the others are APOE-e2 and APOE-e3.
Deterministic genes directly cause a disease, guaranteeing that anyone who inherits one will develop a disorder. Scientists have found rare genes that cause Alzheimer's in only a few hundred extended families worldwide. These genes, which are estimated to account for less than 5 percent of Alzheimer's cases, cause familial early-onset forms in which symptoms usually develop between a person's early 40s and mid-50s.
| The Genetics of Alzheimer's |
Learn more:
(approx. 14 min.)
Overview: Is Alzheimer's inherited? In this digital video John Hardy, Ph.D., of the National Institute on Aging, explains how genes cause disease, the difference between deterministic and risk genes, and which genes of each type are implicated in early-onset and late-onset Alzheimer's. |
Care for the Caregiver
Stefanie Thompson, Sr. Prog. Specialist, AAFGCC
Caregivers may find that with so many responsibilities self care is placed as a lesser priority than care of a loved one. Yet, staying physically and emotionally strong is key to healthier caregiving. To this end, this column is dedicated to health promotion and personal care for the caregiver.
Caregiver Burnout
Joel Carrier, Guest Columnist
Family Caregiver
Volunteer, AAFGCC
Caregiver burnout. Google it: it's a real condition, at least according to WebMD, AARP, the American Heart Association and numerous other organizations and websites. Even Dr. Oz says so.
The signs are numerous, the symptoms similar to those for anxiety and depression. And if you're feeling the stress, you're not alone.
Whether you're a daughter or son, parent or spouse, sibling, or even a friend, if you're reading this, chances are you're one of more than 15.4 million Americans providing care to someone living with Alzheimer's disease. This means that you are partly responsible for providing 17.5 billion hours of unpaid care valued at $216 billion, according to the Alzheimer's Association 2013 Facts and Figures report.
That's a big responsibility.
I get it: Caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease can be overwhelming at best and, if you're like many other caregivers, tending to yourself is last on your ever-growing to do list.
But take a moment to think through what would happen to the person for whom you're caring for if you're suddenly not there. What value do you place on your role as caregiver?
A lot, obviously, or you probably wouldn't still be reading.
Click here to read the full column including tips. |
Caregiver Jewels
Emily Reese, Program Specialist, AAFGCC
May Tip Travel Tip for Early-Stage Alzheimer's
A caregiver in planning for a cruise with their loved one went to a local hospital and asked for a couple of plastic patient wristbands. (Every hospital may not be as accommodating). She then wrote her husband's name on the band, cruise ship name and cabin number.
The husband wore the waterproof wristband throughout the cruise, which provided him an easy memory cue if needed but also a layer of safety for shore excursions if he became separated from group.
This tip could also be applied to travel tours (name of Travel Company and cell phone number) and airline travel (airline name, flight number and gate).
People with mild memory loss can enjoy travel but careful planning is essential and often a travel companion is recommended. For people with more advanced memory loss, travel may no longer be wise. The change in routine, crowds, noisy situations can trigger agitation and disorientation (even in familiar places).
Planning carefully can help ensure a pleasant travel experience for someone with mild memory loss.
- Keep it simple! Avoid itineraries where you're in a different place every night. Try to book a direct flight.
- Don't try to fit too many activities in one day and schedule rest periods.
- Write down travel plans, i.e., flight details, airline phone numbers, hotel addresses and phone numbers, confirmation numbers, etc., and include a list of emergency contact numbers. Provide a copy of this list to family and friends and keep a copy with you.
For more travel tips please click here.
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About this column
Caregiver Jewels is a column featuring caregiving tips by family and professional caregivers throughout our 17 county service area. These "golden nuggets" represent caregiving strategies and tricks of the trade.
For the column to be a success we need your input! It may be a "golden nugget" you say to get your loved one to attend a program or an activity to redirect their attention. Whether your tip is a diamond, emerald or ruby - all are valuable! So, please share the wealth! Send your tip to reesee@alzflgulf.org or contact your local office.
Note: The information in this column is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional or medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. |
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Purple Ribbon Task Force
The Purple Ribbon Task Force was created by the Florida State Legislature and approved by the Governor to create a comprehensive state plan to address the growing public health impact of Alzheimer's disease and identify ways to meet the needs of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and their caregivers.
The task force, of which the Alzheimer's Association - Florida Gulf Coast Chapter is apart of, created five surveys. Each of the five surveys is tailored to the experiences of a specific group of individuals, including 1) people with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias; 2) family caregivers; 3) family and friends; 4) healthcare providers and paid caregivers; and 5) policy, legal, education and other professionals.
To take a survey or get more information, go to Purple Ribbon Task Force Surveys.
(http://elderaffairs.state.fl.us/doea/purple_ribbon_survey.php)
For additional information about the surveys, please contact Dr. Darlene Heinrich at 850-414-2111 (heinrichd@elderaffairs.org).
The surveys will be available online through
May 3, 2013. |
If you have questions, concerns or just wish to talk to someone please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Sue Fox, M.A.
Program Specialist
Alzheimer's Association Florida Gulf Coast Chapter
Sarasota/Manatee Office
3277A Building 1 suite A, Sarasota, Florida 34237
Email: foxs@alzflgulf.org
Office: 941.365.8883
Facsimile: 941.365.8885
www.alz.org/flgulfcoast |
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Alzheimer's Association - Florida Gulf Coast Chapter
Chapter Headquarters, 14010 Roosevelt Blvd., Suite 709, Clearwater, FL 33762 Telephone: 727.578.2558
National Headquarters-Alzheimer's Association National Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601
Alzheimer's Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization © 2010 Alzheimer's Association. All rights reserved.
24/7 Helpline: 1.800.272.3900 |
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