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Florida Gulf Coast Chapter
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Calendar
All programs are free to attend unless otherwise specified.
August 1st Caregiver Education: How Case Management Can Assist the Caregiver at The Inn and Health Center at Freedom Village, 6410 21st Avenue West, Bradenton; 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Please RSVP for a free lunch 941-798-8200.
August 2nd Caregiver Education: Caregiver Stress at The Shores,1700 3rd Avenue West, Bradenton; 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
August 7th Caregiver Education: The ABC's of Alzheimer's Disease at Emeritus at College Park, 5612 26th Street West, Bradenton; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
August 7th Caregiver Education: Planning Ahead: How Medicaid Planning Works at Hidden Lakes Living 1200 54th Avenue West, Bradenton; 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
August 14th Caregiver Education: What to Do When You are Having Difficulty Coping at Windsor Reflections, 8230 Nature's Way. Lakewood Ranch; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
August 15th Caregiver Education: Alzheimer's Overview at Braden River Care Center, 2010 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton; 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
August 16th Caregiver Education: Caregiver Stress: How to Cope at Palmetto Branch Library, 923 6th Street West, Palmetto; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
August 20th Caregiver Education: The ABC's of Caregiving at Clare Bridge of Bradenton, 6101 Pointe West Boulevard, Bradenton 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
August 22nd Caregiver Education: Caregiver Stress: How to Alleviate the Pressure at Summerfield Assisted Residence, 3409 26th Street West, Bradenton; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
August 23rd Caregiver Education: The ABC's of Alzheimer's at Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
August 28th Caregiver Education: The ABC's of Caregiving at Clare Bridge of Bradenton, 6101 Pointe West Boulevard, Bradenton; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
September 4th Caregiver Education: The ABC's of Alzheimer's Disease at Emeritus at College Park. 5612 26th Street West, Bradenton; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
September 4th Caregiver Education: Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia: What is the Difference at Hidden Lakes Living, 1200 57th Avenue West, Bradenton; 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
September 21st Celebrate World Alzheimer's Day with the Rays, Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, Saint Petersburg; 7:10 p.m; Tickets: $15.00. For groups 15 or more, contact Bob Windheim at 727-825-3220. For individual tickets visit: www.raysbaseball.com/alzheimers and use password: alz
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New Early Stage e-News Brief
Are you a person with a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia? If so, you may be interested in our online news brief that has event reminders, tips and feature stories pertaining to your needs.
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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.
Anna Maria Island
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: Deborah Luther/ Hope Winburn
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
The Bridge of Bradenton
4000 75th Street West
3rd Wednesday of each month at 12:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Hope Winburn (941)795-5533
Westminster Manor
1700 21st Avenue West
Every Wednesday of each month 3:45p.m.
Facillitator Carol Parham (941) 746-6549
Hidden Lakes Living
1200 54th Avenue West
3rdTuesday at 10:00a.m.
4th Tuesday at 1:00p.m.
Facillitator Jennifer Cassidy/Elisha Cunero
(941)254-7990
Lakewood Ranch
Windsor Reflections
8230 Nature's Way
2nd Tuesday of each month at 11:00 a.m.
Lunch provided with RSVP
Facilitator: Julie Gartside (941) 957-1400
Windsor Reflections
Younger Onset support Group
8230 Nature's Way
2nd Tuesday of each month at 11:00 a.m.
Lunch provided with RSVP at (941) 957-1400
Facilitator: Sue Fox
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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BASE Program
Are you or someone you care about experiencing early stage dementia? If so, you may qualify to participate in BASE.
Beginning Alzheimer's Support and Education (BASE) is a comprehensive program for individuals
with MCI or early stage Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia and their care partner.
BASE consists of nine weekly sessions; each two-hour session is dedicated to both education and support- with a primary emphasis on education.
Topics include: Basics of Dementia; Positive Communication; Living Day to Day; Skill-building; Feelings/Emotional Well Being; Medications and Current Research; Planning for the Future; and Creativity & Cognition.
Preregistration is required to participate in this program. Please contact our office for more information.
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National AD Plan Update
The National Alzheimer's Plan, first released in May 2012, has a primary goal of preventing and effectively treating Alzheimer's Disease by 2025. In June 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services released an update to the Plan that reviews progresses made during the past year and an updated timeline to achieve the primary goal.
The National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease: 2013 Update also includes:
- Creation of milestones to help achieve the goal of prevention and effective treatment;
- Development of a curriculum on Alzheimer's Disease for primary care physicians so that providers have necessary skills to provide high-quality dementia care;
- Convening an expert panel on advanced dementia to address unique needs of late stage patients; and
- Expanding public outreach efforts to increase awareness of the disease and link caregivers to available resources.
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Care for the Caregiver
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.
Address the Stress: The Sleep Factor
Joel Carrier, volunteer AAFGCC, family caregiver
Still waiting for that Elusive Good Night's Sleep?
Unless you're willing to make a few changes in your
daily routine, keep dreaming.
Sleep deprivation is nothing to yawn at. According to
the National Institute of Health, more than 40 million Americans suffer from chronic, long-term sleep
disorders, and an additional 20 million report
occasional sleeping problems. This doesn't even begin to reflect the number of folks for whom sleep is challenged due to additional factors like stress and
anxiety.
Caregivers for those living with Alzheimer's and related dementias may find the dilemma of sleep deprivation even more perplexing: to reduce stress, you need more sleep; to sleep better, you need to reduce stress.
Go figure.
Time to bust a few myths:
* You cannot make up for lost sleep. Just like lost
time, lost sleep is one commodity we can't replenish.
In fact, sleeping in or longer a couple days a week can upset your body's internal clock, making a good
night's rest even more elusive for those of us who are already sleep-challenged.
* You will not learn to need less sleep. You can fool
yourself into believing you can get by on less sleep:
Truth is we can. But this isn't the same as training our bodies to need less sleep. We're born with a set sleep needs; ignoring this can lead to serious consequences, like poor job performance (remember: paid or unpaid, caregiving is our job), increased risks of accidents and a host of health issues too numerous to list here.
* Your sleep problems will not go away on their own. Whether due to sleep disorders or stresses related to care giving, sleep deprivation needs to be hit head-on if you want to get back to your fully functioning self. Forget about being tired: Lack of sleep makes us irritable, less patient, more easily agitated and can jeopardize and impair our judgment. Not a good recipe when it comes to caring for those who depend on us.
Admittedly, as caregivers our own sleep challenges
may stem from sleep issues our loved ones are having. Which is why it's important to address the sleep issues of all involved: wandering or confusing days with nights does not make for sound sleep for anyone. If this is the case, talk to your loved one's doctor. He or she may be able to make suggestions to address your loved ones sleep, including better sleep hygiene, environmental changes, behavior modification techniques or medications.
None of this addresses the bigger, all-consuming issue of time, though. Sometimes, there is just not enough - and sleep is almost always the first thing to go. Unfortunately, there are no easy fixes for this other than self-discipline.
So the next time you're tempted to forgo sleep in lieu of folding laundry, running the vacuum, worrying about tomorrow's meal plan, checking your bank account online and shopping for groceries at midnight, remember this: Everything we do or don't do to take care of ourselves directly impacts our abilities to care for our loved ones.
For more information on sleep disorders, sleep deprivation and suggestions for improving quality of sleep speak to your health care professional. You may also want to gain more information by visiting the following websites:
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Caregiver Jewels
Emily Reese, Program Specialist, AAFGCC
August Tip
Using Memory Aids
A caregiver shared that his wife used a daily dairy quite successfully for a period of time. She kept the diary by the phone so she could note telephone calls, appointments and general reminders and tasks.
We all use memory aids from time to time but for someone with early memory loss, using aids can
be essential to maintaining independence longer.
Labels, lists, notebooks and sticky notes can help a
person cope with their memory loss.
Other memory aid ideas:
- Label drawers to help your loved one find things.
- Keep important numbers by the phone.
- Post reminders to lock doors or shut windows.
- Have step-by-step instructions on how to work appliances (such as the computer), or complete routine tasks (such as fixing your hair, applying make-up or brushing teeth).
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About this column: Caregiver Jewels is a column featuring tips from 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 by sending 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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Nominate a 'Hero'
Nominate a 'Hero' who could win $50,000 award for the Alzheimer's Association.
The Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation is looking for Community Hero nominations, and we need your help.
If you know of someone to nominate as a Community Hero, the Alzheimer's Association would like to know. With your help, we can submit one nomination on behalf of the Alzheimer's Association who, if selected, earns $50,000 for their sponsoring charity.
The Hero must live in one of the following seven Florida counties: Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, or Sarasota.
The Foundation is looking for "everyday heroes" who do extraordinary things, such as:
- Overcame personal tragedies or challenges (inspired others).
- Became a catalyst to helping others with similar challenges (gone above and beyond).
- Made personal financial sacrifices to make a difference (selflessness).
- Started small grass roots effort which grew in scope over time (significant community impact).
The key word is "everyday hero." The Foundation is not focused on people who are already well-known and have been acknowledged for their efforts. The application asks for specific examples.
For more information, visit the Lightning website: http://lightning.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=69658
If you have a nomination to suggest, please contact Lori Sims, VP of Development, Alzheimer's Association, Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, at simsl@alzflgulf.org or call 941-365-8883.
The first nomination cycle runs through August 16, 2013. There will be two additional deadlines throughout the season. We can submit only one name this season.
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If you have questions, concerns or just wish to talk to someone please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Sue Fox MA, Program Specialist
Manatee Office
Alzheimer's Association-Florida Gulf Coast Chapter
3277A Fruitville Road, Suite 1, Sarasota, FL 34237
Office phone: 941-365-8883
Facsimile: 941-365-8885
Alzheimer's Association Florida Gulf Coast Chapter
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 Thank you! 2013 Walk to End Alzheimer's 5,000 Steps Sponsorships.    |
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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