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Florida Gulf Coast Chapter
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Calendar
All programs are free to attend unless otherwise specified.
October 1st Caregiver Education When it's Time to Consider Long Term Care at Windsor Oaks, 2614 43rd Street west, Bradenton: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
October 2nd 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.
October 2nd Caregiver Education: Advanced Directives for Florida Seniors at Hidden Lakes Living, 1200 57th Avenue West, Bradenton.
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
October 3rd Caregiver Education How Caregivers Can Stay Fit at Freedom Village, 6410 21st Avenue West, Bradenton: 11:30a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Please rsvp for a free lunch 941-798-8200.
October 5th Walk to End Alzheimer's
Rossi-Riverwalk, 452 3rd Avenue West, Bradenton;
9:00 a.m.
October 8th Caregiver Education Creating Your Game Plan for Brain Health at Windsor Oaks, 2614 43rd Street west, Bradenton: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
October 9th Caregiver Education The Promise at Windsor Reflections, 8230 Nature's Way, Lakewood Ranch; 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
October 1st Caregiver Education at Windsor Oaks 2614 43rd Street west, Bradenton: 10:00 a.m.-12:
October 15 Caregiver Education Navagating Life Changes: The Introduction and Organizing for Life H2U Bayshore, 6049 26th Street West Bradenton; 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
October 16th Caregiver Education Creating Game Plan for Brain Health at Windsor Oaks, 2614 43rd Street west, Bradenton: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
October 22nd Caregiver Education Navigating Life Changes: Organizing Your Financial Affairs including Tax Tips, Documenting Assets and Legal Aspects at H2U Bayshore, 6049 26th Street West Bradenton; 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
October 23rd Caregiver Education Celebrating the Holidays With Loved One's With Dementia at Rocky Bluff Library, 6750 U.S. Hwy 301 North, Ellenton, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
October 25th Memory Screens at Island Branch Library, 5700 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
October 26th Caregiver Education Celebrating the Holidays with loved One's with Dementia at Summerfield Assisted Living, 3409 26th Street West, Bradenton; 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Coming in November
November 5th Caregiver Education Navigating Life Changes: Transportation and Companion Care at H2U Bayshore 6049 26th Street West Bradenton; 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
November 6th Caregiver Education The ABC's of Caregiving at Emeritus at College Park, 5612 26th Street west, Bradenton; 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
November 6th Caregiver Education Senior Identity Theft What Caregivers Need to Know at Hidden Lakes Living, 1200 54th Avenue West, Bradenton; 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
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Caregivers Take Note - Music as Therapy
When Glen Campbell took the stage at the Grammy Awards and accepted his Lifetime Achievement Award, he did so as one of the more than 5 million Americans diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. What is inspiring about the 75-year-old Campbell's Grammy night appearance is that he has not retired from his love of making music despite his recent diagnosis. In fact, he is starting his Farewell Tour and is cutting a new album.
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Glen Campbell Interview 2011: Discusses Battle With Alzheimer's Disease, Final Tour and New Album
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Is music one of the keys to a longer, happier life - despite your health issues? [...] Click here to read more.
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Click on the link below for the walk near you. If you will be out of town, you can still participate as a virtual walker.
JOIN US! Click on the links below to find a walk near you.
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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 3:45 p.m.
Facilitator Carol Parham (941) 746-6549
Hidden Lakes Living
1200 54th Avenue West
3rdTuesday at 10:00 a.m.
Hidden Lakes Living - Men's Support Group
1200 54th Avenue West
4th Tuesday at 1:00 p.m.
Facilitator 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 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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Why I Walk to End Alzheimer's
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Lessons from Super Seniors
Trish Watson, Estates at Carpenters
Pushing boundaries, ignoring stereotypes, and blazing new trails are the attributes of Super Seniors. Older adults who choose to discard the automatic, negative associations toward being old are aging in extraordinary ways.
 | | Bob Smith of Lakeland tandem jump's. |
Super Seniors live their lives with the motto "What's age got to do with it?"
The mindset you hold towards aging has a tremendous influence on how well you will age. Studies show that genetics have only a 30% influence on the length of our lives; the remaining 70% depends on whether you have the right attitude, stay active and continue doing the things you love, and remain open to trying new things.
If people believe that their later years can be a time of good health and vitality, and they are willing to incorporate the lifestyle behaviors that will make it happen, the results can be amazing. Several residents of the Estates at Carpenters possess this Super Senior mentality, among them are Bob Smith, Peggy Peppers, and Bunny MacMunn.
Bob Smith participated in a tandem parachute jump with Bob Crossman from Skydive Deland. Bob just wanted to try something new and exciting. Age wasn't part of his decision.
Peggy Peppers didn't see why her age should stop her from going zip lining in the foothills of the Missouri Ozarks.
Bunny MacMunn is teaching Gentle Yoga to her fellow Estates residents. She isn't short of students either. Residents who were starting to have trouble with balance and flexibility couldn't wait to give Bunny's classes a try, even though some of them were never health-conscious or even involved in physical activities when they were younger. The difference is that they don't let that stop them.
Super Seniors have four key elements in their lives.
- They are optimistic and have a positive attitude.
- They are engaged and feel a passion for life, and retain, discover, or develop a sense of purpose.
- The third element is being active and mobile. They move, function, and maintain independence by exercising and staying active.
- The final element is being adaptable when it comes to loss. Super Seniors are resilient. They deal with and adapt to the difficulties of life by dealing with a loss or problem and then letting it go.
Life is what you make of it. Negative beliefs about aging will prevent you from experiencing growing older as a positive thing. Instead of waking up in the morning, and asking themselves "How much longer do I have left to live?" these Super Seniors ask themselves "What can I do to make the best of today?" _________
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Caregiver Jewels
Emily Reese, Program Specialist, AAFGCC
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! Send your tip to reesee@alzflgulf.org or contact your local office.
October Tip
More than Exercise
A caregiver shared how much she enjoys using an audio cassette (which she had copied to CD) titled "Walk to the Beat" as an exercise activity for her and her husband. She and her husband listen to the CD while they walk about in the comfort of their air-conditioned home.
Benefits for the caregiver
Benefits for the person with dementia
- Enjoyable activity to share with their loved one.
- Exercise may improve balance and reduce falls.
- Adequate exercise during the day can promote more restful sleep at night.
- Music can help stimulate motor coordination.
The audio cassette she uses is no longer produced but there are other exercise audio C.D.'s available. Try searching for music at the Alzheimer's Store ( http://www.alzstore.com) or simply use music that you already have. Good choices are music with an upbeat rhythm that the person with dementia enjoys. Note that this would be a great project for a grandchild to "burn" a CD for grandparents to use.
Visit the links below for more information about music and exercise:
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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Staying Engaged
Stefanie Thompson, director early stage programs
A person in the early stages of dementia may withdraw from activities he or she previously enjoyed. Caregivers can help their loved one stay engaged by offering support and helping to encourage slight adjustments (e.g., choosing smaller social groups over larger groups, or choosing to paint abstractly verses realistically).
As dementia, such as Alzheimer's, progresses, other adjustments may be necessary. If your loved one is beyond the early stages of dementia try using some of the following tips to help keep them engaged.
- Keep the person's skills and abilities in mind. A person with dementia may be able to play simple songs learned on the piano years ago. Bring these types of skills into daily activities.
- Pay special attention to what the person enjoys. Take note when the person seems happy, anxious, distracted or irritable. Some people enjoy watching sports, while others may be frightened by the pace or noise.
- Consider if the person begins activities without direction. Does he or she set the table before dinner or sweep the kitchen floor mid-morning? If so, you may wish to plan these activities as part of the daily routine.
- Be aware of physical problems. Does he or she get tired quickly or have difficulty seeing, hearing or performing simple movements?
- Focus on enjoyment, not achievement. Find activities that build on remaining skills and talents. A professional artist might become frustrated over the declining quality of work, but an amateur might enjoy a new opportunity for self expression. For activity ideas join ALZConnected, our message boards and online support community. Every day, caregivers like you share new ideas and encourage one another.
- Encourage involvement in daily life. Activities that help the individual feel like a valued part of the household - like setting the table - can provide a sense of success and accomplishment.
- Relate to past work life. A former office worker might enjoy activities that involve organizing, like putting coins in a holder or making a to-do list. A farmer or gardener may take pleasure in working in the yard.
- Look for favorites. The person who always enjoyed drinking coffee and reading the newspaper may still find these activities enjoyable, even if he or she is not able to completely understand what the newspaper says.
- Consider time of day. Caregivers may find they have more success with certain activities at specific times of day, such as bathing and dressing in the morning.
- Adjust activities to disease stages. As the disease progresses, you may want to introduce more repetitive tasks. Be prepared for the person to eventually take a less active role in activities.
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Early Stage Programs
BASE (Beginning Alzheimer's Support and Education) provides education, resources, skill-building tools and support for people
affected by dementia.
If you or your loved one is currently in the early
stages of the dementia, please call our office for more information.
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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 M.A., 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
Email: foxs@alzflgulf.org
Website: www.alz.org/flgulfcoast
Programs made possible in part through funding by
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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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