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Florida Gulf Coast Chapter
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Charlotte & Desoto
Counties Update |
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Calendar
All programs are free to attend unless otherwise specified.
April 2, Memory Screenings, Lakewood Village, 5601 Duncan Road, Punta Gorda, 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
April 12, Caregiver Training, Activities with Dementia. Village Place Assisted Living, 18400 Cochran Boulevard, Port Charlotte, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
April 16, Clear Channel Radio Show with Arthritis Foundation, 11:05 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
April 18, Caregiver Training, Challenging Behaviors and Better Communication. Conficare Home Health, 22078 Kimble Avenue, Port Charlotte, 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
April 24, Memory Mobile, location to be announced (TBA), 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Upcoming in May
May 8, Memory Mobile, Charlotte, TBA
May 9, Memory Mobile, Charlotte, TBA
May 10, Memory Mobile, Charlotte, TBA |
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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.
*Royal Palm Retirement Center
2500 Aaron Street (33952)
4th Tuesday @ 10:00 a.m.
Katie Scott, 941-235-7470
Charlene Russell, 941-235-7470
South Port Square (Harbor Terrace)
23033 Westchester Blvd.
3rd Tuesday @ 3:00 p.m.
Marlene Bernard, 941-625-1220
Saint Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church
1441 Spear Street (33948)
4th Thursday @ 2:30 p.m.
Judy Jahn, 941-286-0584
Irma Nin, 941-504-2621
Port Charlotte Methodist Church
18400 Quesada Avenue (33952)
3rd Thursday @ 3:00 p.m.
Terri Jackman, 941-276-4307
Bea Ramirez, 941-624-4448
Charlotte Harbor Healthcare
4000 Kings Highway
3rd Thursday @4:00 p.m.
Elaine DeHof, 941-255-5855
PUNTA GORDA
Life Care Center
450 Shreve Street (33950)
3rd Monday @ 3:00 p.m.
Kelly Christie, 941- 639-8771
Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association
2001 Shreve Street (33950)
2nd Tuesday @ 3:00 p.m.
Terri Jackman, 941-276-4307
Bea Ramirez, 941-624-4448
ARCADIA
Arcadia Oaks
1013 Gibson St. (34266)
4th Monday @ 11:00 a.m.
2nd Saturday @ 10:00 a.m.
Evelyn Donato, 863-993-9760
* 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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Florida's Long-Term Care Managed Care Program
The National Senior Citizens Law Center released a Special Report entitled Summary of Florida's Long Term Care Managed Care Program which summarizes importantaspects of Florida's long-term care managed care program. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved Florida's proposal to provide Medicaid long-term services and supports through managed care in February.
The special report can be downloaded free from the NSCLC website (NSCLC.org) or directly through this link.
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Research & Caregiver's Role
Researchers at the University of Missouri-St. Louis are interested in learning about the experiences of women who currently have an older relative with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia. We are looking for women ages thirty to sixty- five years who have a parent living with dementia and are also parents themselves ("sandwich generation" caregivers). The study involves answering questions about the caregiving role and other health related questions. The survey will take approximately thirty minutes to complete and is done ONLINE. Participants who complete the survey will be eligible to win a $100 gift card. For more information e-mail
caregiverpsychology@umsl.edu and to take the survey go to Caregiver Health.
Trial Match
For information about other types of studies visit Trial Match. Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch® is a free, easy-to-use clinical studies matching service that connects individuals with Alzheimer's, caregivers, healthy volunteers and physicians with current studies. |
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New Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures Released
The 2013 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures is now available. The report, released every year covers quick facts about Alzheimer's disease, prevalence, mortality, i mpact on caregivers, c ost to the nation and specific facts related to each state (e.g. Florida). In addition, this year's report covers long-distance caregiving.
 | | Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures 2013 |
Some report highlights:
- Alzheimer's disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States overall and the 5th leading cause of death for those aged 65 and older.
- It is the only cause of death among the top 10 in America without a way to prevent it, cure it or even slow its progression.
- Deaths from Alzheimer's increased 68 percent between 2000 and 2010, while deaths from other major diseases, including the number one cause of death (heart disease), decreased.
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While ambiguity about the underlying cause of death can make it difficult to determine how many people die from Alzheimer's, there are no survivors. If you do not die from Alzheimer's disease, you die with it. One in every three seniors dies with Alzheimer's or another dementia. -
In 2013, an estimated 450,000 people in the United States will die with Alzheimer's. - In 2012, Caregivers provided over 17 billion hours of unpaid care valued at more than $216 billion.
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Nearly 15 percent of caregivers for people with Alzheimer's or another dementia are long-distance caregivers. - Out-of-pocket expenses for long-distance caregivers are nearly twice as much as local caregivers.
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In 2013, Alzheimer's will cost the nation $203 billion. This number is expected to rise to $1.2 trillion by 2050.
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Make a Commitment to End Alzheimer's
 Join the 2013 Walk To End Alzheimer's. Walk to End Alzheimer's unites the entire community - family, friends, co-workers, social and religious groups and more --- in a display of combined strength and dedication in the fight against this devastating disease. While there is no fee to register, each participant is expected to fundraise in order to contribute to the cause and raise awareness. The Alzheimer's Association provides free, easy-to-use tools and staff support to help each participant reach their fundraising goal.
Your local Walk:
Punta Gorda - Nov. 2nd Act.alz.org/PuntaGorda
Sarasota - Oct. 12th Act.alz.org/Sarasota
When you participate in Walk, your fundraising dollars fuel mission-related initiatives of care, support and research. In addition, your actions, both through fundraising and participating in the event, help to change the level of Alzheimer's awareness in your community. At a Walk event, you can learn more about Alzheimer's disease and the support programs and services offered by your local chapter. You will also have unique opportunities to get involved with the cause through advocacy initiatives and clinical trial enrollment. These experiences, in addition to other on-site opportunities, help each participant connect to their reason for walking.
Join a Walk Committee
Another way to get involved is my joining a Walk Committee. These local meetings are once a month and help organize and facilitate Walk day events. If you are interested contact Rachel Farinas at (727) 259-2317 or by email at farinasr@alzflgulf.org
Nicole Melnick at (941) 365-8883 or by email melnickn@alzflgulf.org. |
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Caregiver Jewels
Emily Reese, Program Specialist, AAFGCC
Welcome to Caregiver Jewels, 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.
April Tip
Respite Care
Everyone needs a break
"My husband who has Alzheimer's disease was reluctant to go to adult day care (thankfully, it is called The Senior Friendship Center!) because in his view, he didn't need to be there. I explained to him that going to the Friendship Center is his "job" because some of the folks are not as fortunate as him and that by making friends and reaching out, he is helping those less fortunate. This strategy works every time! Now he is happy to go!"
Caregiving is demanding; it is normal to need a break. Respite care provides caregivers a temporary rest from caregiving, while the person with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia continues to receive care in a safe environment.
Taking that first step and initiating services can, at times, be challenging for the caregiver and the care recipient. The tip above was a creative response that maintained the care recipients dignity and self-esteem, key goals in any interaction with a person with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia.
Respite care can provide the caregiver with:
- A chance to spend time with other friends and family, or to just relax
- Time to take care of errands such as shopping, exercising, getting a haircut or going to the doctor
- Comfort and peace of mind knowing that the person with dementia is spending time with another caring individual
Respite care services can give the person with dementia an opportunity to:
- Interact with others having similar experiences
- Spend time in a safe, supportive environment
- Participate in activities designed to match personal abilities and need
For more information on Adult Day Centers click here and on other types of respite services click here.
For respite services available in your community contact your local program specialist.
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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If you have questions, concerns or just wish to talk to someone please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Katie Scott
Program Specialist
Alzheimer's Association Florida Gulf Coast Chapter
4075 Tamiami Trail #2, Port Charlotte, FL 33952
Email: scottk@alzflgulf.org
Office: 941-235-7470
Facsimile: 941-235-7473
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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