Alzheimer's Care Resource Center
December 2013 
In This Issue
Connect With Us
Gift Giving for Alzheimer's
Helping Children Understand Alzheimer's
National Commemorative Candle Lighting
Caregiver Support Groups
Becoming a Better Caregiver
Caregiver Resolutions
Alzheimer's Caregiving DVD's Sold Here
A Few Words from our Clients
December Events Calendar
Caregiver Cottage Programs
Connect With Us!
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Greetings!

Our newsletter is filled with information on some of the wonderful services we offer to caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease, dementia or other memory impairment.  

This month we will be bringing you some great tips via our Monday Mojo and Wednesday Workshops!  Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel so you don't miss a thing! And remember to check-out our Events Calendar.
 
As always, our team is here, whenever you are ready to relax, renew and reach-out!
Have a wonderful day!
Gift Giving for Alzheimer's
While most of us have already started our holiday shopping, some of us are still biting our nails trying to figure out the perfect presents for our loved ones. If you have a caregiver or person living with Alzheimer's disease on your gift-giving list, we've got some suggestions to make your shopping a bit easier.

Early Stage Gifts for Alzheimer's
Classic movies
Activity books and magazines
Strategy games like crosswords or sudoku 
Health club memberships
CD's / Music from their era

Mid Stage Gifts for Alzheimer's
Sensory stimulation gifts like scented lotions,a fluffy bath robe or bright-colored games
Framed photo collage
Life Alert
Photo phone so when people call their picture pops up instead of their phone number
Automatic medication dispenser
 
Late Stage Gifts for Alzheimer's
Dolls or stuffed animals
Comfortable clothing with lots or colors and fun textures
Slippers with good bottom grips
A manicure or spa day
Medical identification bracelet

Gifts for Alzheimer's Caregivers
A break from their care giving routine

Cost-effective and truly meaningful gifts are self-made coupons for cleaning the house, cooking a meal, mowing the lawn, shoveling the driveway, and giving time off so a caregiver can do something to meet their needs. Purchase DVR/TiVo and year's worth of service so the caregiver can record favorite shows or sports programs he or she may not be able watch in real time due to care responsibilities. Give gift certificates for restaurants, laundry/dry cleaning services, lawn care services, computer/technology support, maid services, and personal pampering services such as massages and pedicures. Also, consider giving the gift of respite care, which allows a deserving caregiver to take "time-off" for themselves. What will you give your loved ones this year?

  

Helping Children Understand Alzheimer's
Watching a loved one progress through the stages of Alzheimer's disease can be frightening, even for adults. Imagine being a child struggling to understand why grandma is acting so strangely or can't remember who you are. You can help by offering comfort and support when needed.
 
Anticipate your child's questions. When your child asks questions, respond with simple, honest answers.

 

For example:

  • What's wrong with grandma? Explain that Alzheimer's is a disease. Just as children get colds and tummy aches, older adults sometimes get an illness that causes them to act differently and to forget things. They might look the same on the outside, but their brains are changing on the inside.
 

If your child has trouble talking about the situation or withdraws from your loved one, open the conversation. Ask what changes your child has noticed in the loved one who has Alzheimer's disease. Your child's observations might lead naturally to an exploration of his or her own feelings and worries. Tell your child it's OK to feel nervous, sad or angry. You feel that way sometimes, too.

 

The Alzheimer's Care Resource Center offers a teen support group, an online, supervised chat room and a variety of age appropriate books to help parents and children understand Alzheimer's disease while learning ways in which they can continue to enjoy a strong, loving relationship with their grandparent. Our Coaching for Kids program also provides one-on-one education, counseling, guidance and support.

 

For more information call us at (855) 476-7600 or 561-588-4545.

National Commemorative Candle Lighting
Caregiver Support Groups

Caring for someone that has Alzheimer's disease, dementia or other cognitive impairment is hard. Our support groups are attended by caregivers who are struggling with all kinds of different challenges and emotions.

 

Our West Palm Beach area Alzheimer's caregiver support groups are different! Our caregivers are able to come together and share in a warm, relaxed and nurturing environment. 

 

Our support groups are filling up fast! 

Caregiver Support Group- Every Tuesday 10am-12pm

Call (561) 588-4545 to Register for the Caregiver Support Group

 

We also offer a monthly telephone support group for all Alzheimer's caregivers who are either unable to attend in person, or live out of State. This month the telephone support group will be held on Tuesday, November 12th at 7:00pm-8:00pm.

 

Please check out our Calendar of Events to find a support group or Caregiver Cottage Program that interests you, or call us to register at 561-588-4545!
  
Becoming a Better Caregiver
seniors on the beach Being a caregiver doesn't come with an instruction manual, but there are resources available to help. Use training courses, workshops, books and DVD's to gain care giving skills and practical advice. Click on the links below for more information.
 
                          Caregiver Books
                     The Caregiver Handbook

 

Caregiver Resolutions

As we head in to 2014, it is a great time for caregivers to take stock of their own personal health and well-being. The demands of care giving can contribute to everything from high blood pressure to heart disease, diabetes, back injuries and obesity. 

 

How long has it been since you've distanced yourself from care giving long enough to decide what is good for you? How long has it been since you've had guilt-free breaks from the needs of others, so that you can actually relax? How long has it been since you asked for help - hired or volunteer - so that you can be your own person for just a bit of time? How can caregivers resolve to get healthier in 2014? 

 

Here are 7 ways you can get started:

 

1. Ask for Help

2. Eat a Balanced Diet

3. Take a Break

4. Connect with Friends 

5. Have an Annual Check-Up

6. Turn on the Radio

7. Join a Support Group

 

The Alzheimer's Care Resource Center offers many caregiver support groups. Programs are  designed for family and professional caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. Our support groups are attended by caregivers who are struggling with all kinds of different challenges and emotions. 

 

Please check out our calendar of events to find a support group that interests you,

or call us to register at 561-588-4545.

 

Alzheimer's Caregiving DVD's Sold Here

The Alzheimer's Care Resource Center has been teaching Alzheimer's Disease Caregiver Education to family caregivers since February of 2003. Our Alzheimer's Caregiver DVD Series provides education, tips and techniques for caregivers of those with Alzheimer's, dementia or other memory impairment.

 

Whether you are looking for information on managing difficult behaviors or struggling with communicating with the Alzheimer's patient, you will find an educational DVD that will help and that you can watch in the comfort of your own home.

 

We have recently expanded the Alzheimer's / dementia specific educational services we offer to include topics that are important to caregivers and families suffering from Alzheimer's disease, dementia or other memory impairments.

 
Alzheimer's Caregiving DVD's, Shop Here! 
A Few Words from our Clients
Dear Alzheimer's Care Resource Center,
 
"My wife has Alzheimer's disease and won't go to day care. I can't put her into an assisted living facility yet and I am alone here with no family. 
 
The staff at the Alzheimer's Care Resource Center spent a great deal of time helping me and teaching me how to help my wife. I learned how to keep my wife busy and stimulated right in our own home, how to help her shower when she doesn't want to and how to use different techniques to distract her. 
 
With their help, I got myself into a support group where I have a chance to relate to others that are going through the same thing as me. Without the Alzheimer's Care Resource Center, I don't know where we'd be".
 
Thank you,

Sam, West Palm Beach

  

Read more testimonials here!

December Events Calendar
Click on the image to enlarge or print

About Us
ACRC LOGO 
The Alzheimer's Care Resource Center is the only non-profit organization in Palm Beach, Broward and Martin county focused strictly on meeting the needs of Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers. We are so excited that we can bring these wonderful programs and services to the community and further our mission of helping caregivers to relax, renew and reach-out to help meet their own unique self-care needs. 
 
 
You can reach us at 561-588-4545 or

  

Sincerely,

 

Alzheimer's Care Resource Center