Alzheimer's Learning
Series Offered
at Solimine Community
Center
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Kim Anderson Hogan and Pam Taylor had been looking for a while to find a project to work on that combined their unique skills and friendship.
Kim is the community liaison at Solimine Funeral Homes and Pam is a MSW at Care Dimensions. One of the questions they asked centered
around what kind of educational needs people have. After some discussion, these two ladies decided there was a need for more education about Alzheimer's Disease. Many families in the Lynn area have a loved one struggling with memory impairment. Kim and Pam not only wanted to get area residents more information on Alzheimer's, they desired to help people get access to more formal services.
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Pam Taylor of Care Dimensions and Kim Hogan of
Solimine Funeral Homes
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The result of asking numerous questions and holding brainstorming sessions about Alzheimer's is a three-part Learning Series for the community.
The last session of this Alzheimer's Learning Series will be offered on June 2nd at the Solimine Community Center in Lynn.
People are welcome to attend any or all of the sessions.
The classes offered are designed not only for family members, but also for patients who have received an Alzheimer's diagnosis.
UPCOMING SEMINAR
June 2, 2015:
Keeping your home safe
for a family member with memory loss
There are many things you can do to make your home a safer place for someone who might be easily confused. The use of light colors and making sure the home is free of clutter can go a long way toward lowering frustration levels. Pam went to a patient's home that had knickknacks and other items covering most surfaces in the main living areas. She was able to help the family see the importance of a clutter-free environment, resulting in a much calmer atmosphere for everyone.
Too much stimulus has a negative effect, so this class will address other areas of possible problems such
as noise levels.
These series descriptions are just a small sampling of the critical information that will be shared during class time.
In addition to helpful materials, people participating in the series will have a chance to meet others experiencing the
same issues and gain
support for the future. Important information
will also be shared about services available from
Care Dimensions for people suffering from dementia.
"When it comes to a dementia diagnosis, the sooner you start receiving information and treatment, the better," advised Pam. "These classes can go a long way toward making the road ahead easier to navigate."
Please plan on joining us
for this meaningful
Learning Series.
All classes will be held on Tuesdays from 9:30 am - 10:30 am and will include
a free continental breakfast. The Solimine Community Center is located at 586 Chestnut Street, Suite 6 in Lynn. You can RSVP to Kim Anderson Hogan, Director of Community Outreach for Solimine Funeral Homes at
(781)-718-5668 or at kim@Solimine.com.
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Association
has a Heart for
the North Shore
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For more than 70 years, an important
organization has existed that supports cancer patients, helps health care facilities on the North Shore acquire new equipment, and funds scholarships for local residents. This
non-profit institution has given grant money to hospitals for new equipment and educated not only the public about the prevention and treatment of cancer, but also contributed to the education of medical professionals who deal with cancer. This dedicated group of men and women that diligently works to fund and educate area wide residents is the Boston North Cancer Association.
 The Boston North Cancer Association, Inc., was formerly known as the Lynn
Cancer Association. The name was changed in 2011 to give everyone a better idea of the area this group served - the communities of the North Shore.
In the beginning, the BNCA wanted to help people recognize the symptoms of cancer and become better informed about early detection. Since then, it has grown to include the prevention and treatment of cancer as well.
GRANT PROGRAMS
The Association offers grants to the communities it serves and to professionals in the area. Community grants are given to organizations that have a connection to cancer in some way. For example, money is given to a melanoma foundation that visits high schools and warns of the danger of suntanning, and to an organization called Challenge Unlimited, Inc., at Ironstone Farm. Ironstone Farm offers one-day retreats for cancer survivors and people who are currently battling the d i s e a s e. Men and
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women are able to use the special relationship b e t w e e n people and horses to help them build a renewed sense of themselves, increase their confidence, and feel support offered by these truly wonderful horses. Susan McCarthy, president of Boston North Cancer Association, finds this program especially touching. When asked, she responded, "It's a powerful experience to witness, and I love seeing how the participants relate to the horses." For more information on this free program, please visit their website at www. ironstonefarm.org or or contact Carolyn Burt, Director of New Programs, at carolynburt@challengeunlimited.org. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS
Boston North Cancer Association has been offering scholarships for the last six years. They award two $3,500 scholarships, plus a $7,500 scholarship in the spring of each year. The deadline for 2015 has already passed, but 2016 applicants will need to have their applications in by April 1, 2016. Applications can be found on the Association's website at www.bostonnorthcancer.org. |
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Alix Lara, previous scholarship winner and David Solimine, Sr.
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The David J. Solimine, Sr. Honorary Scholarship is awarded annually to a North Shore high school senior who is a cancer survivor or currently undergoing treatment for cancer.
The Hope Begins Here Scholarship is also given annually to a high school senior from the North Shore who has a parent that either passed away from cancer, survived cancer or is undergoing treatment
for cancer.
The F. John Bargoot, MD Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship to benefit a medical school student who resided in and completed high school on the North Shore and has an interest in working in the cancer field.
"I am incredibly honored that a scholarship program has been implemented in my name," states David Solimine, Sr. "It's very moving to have 17 fine applicants this year."
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Association's Fifth Annual Hope Begins Here Awards Reception will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2015, from
6 - 9 pm, at the Marriott Peabody.
This will be an inspirational evening full of great music, appetizers, cocktails and incredible people.
We have the privilege of honoring Diane T. Stringer, President and CEO of Care Dimensions.
She will be receiving the Hope Begins Here Award in appreciation for her compassionate care of families affected by cancer for the last 25 years.
 To purchase tickets online, you may go the Boston North Cancer Association website ( www.bostonnorthcancer.org). You may also download and print a mail-in reply if you would rather not pay online. The Boston North Cancer Association plans to continue raising and managing money to fund their grant and scholarship programs. They are always looking for new ways to make their presence known so that more organizations know they have funds available. New ideas include a program to enable the group to see a need and help people right away. Patients and families need assistance with practical, everyday things, such as helping with parking expenses, cleaning their homes, and finding someone to provide rides for those who need it. |
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The Chapel Building at Pine Grove Cemetery
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What do Daisy Davis, pro baseball player for the Boston Beaneaters in 1885, Alonzo Draper, brigadier general during the Civil War, and Lydia Pinkham, savvy business woman in the mid-1800's, all have in common? Besides being remarkable during their collective lifetimes, they are all buried in the Pine Grove Cemetery in Lynn. Pine Grove Cemetery has been in operation since 1849, when it opened as a private cemetery. In 1855, the city of Lynn purchased the cemetery and maintains ownership today. This property is filled with beautiful architecture, including the Rhodes Memorial Chapel and the Cemetery Office Building, both built well over 100 years ago. The cemetery also has a unique wall built of fieldstone that was erected by the WPA in 1930.
Pine Grove is very proud to be added to the list of U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2014.
Pine Grove Cemetery has many options for burial including traditional burial, entombment, or interment of cremated remains. Lot prices typically start at $880 for a resident and go up to $1380 for a non-resident. Cremation lots are available starting at $800 for a lot that holds six cremations. Some people may not be aware that cremation lots can have upright burial stones. Future plans for Pine Grove Cemetery include the possibility of adding a columbarium. A columbarium is a building for the purpose of storing cremated remains, usually full of niches to hold individual remains. The cemetery staff is also in the process of creating a scattering garden for cremations. This is a large undertaking and will probably take around two years to complete. More information can be gathered by calling the Pine Grove Cemetery Office at (781)-268-8000 Ext. 13, or by visiting their website at www.ci.lynn.ma.us. If you wish to visit Pine Grove, the main entrance is located on Boston Street in Lynn. Joel Solimine explains, "Many people have questions about cemetery property and we are happy to answer any inquiries you may have." |
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Frequently Asked Questions
"How Can I Deal
With the Loss of my Pet?"
Dealing with the loss of a pet can be just as emotionally taxing, and in some cases more so, than losing a human loved one. For some of us, pets are our constant companions; they are at our sides at home, accompany us on our travels, and even take up more than their share of space in our bed. When that camaraderie is gone, we can feel a deep sense of loss and emptiness.
You must give yourself permission to openly grieve the death of your beloved pet. Some people may believe that it is foolish or childish to grieve over an animal, but the fact is that their loss can be acutely felt. Feel free to talk about how much you miss your pet just as you would talk about missing a family member. If you are in the habit of keeping a journal, take advantage of that practice to write your feelings out on paper. If you don't have a diary of some sort, now could be a good time to
start one.
You may find it helpful in your grief process to do something in your pet's memory. You might make a donation of money or supplies to the local Humane Society or animal shelter. It's possible that you could find it even more meaningful to donate your time. Animal rescues and shelters rely heavily on volunteers to help care for the pets they are housing. You can memorialize your furry friend by making a place to visit to remember them. Some people purchase a gravestone or plant a tree as a living memorial.
If you have a surviving pet, spending extra quality time with them is good for
them and for you. You might want to watch for signs that your surviving pet is grieving. If they are overly anxious or restless, have changes in eating or sleeping patterns, become disinterested in normal activities or start engaging in destructive behavior they could actually be feeling the loss of their friend. Additional walks or increased play time can be soothing and lift both of your spirits. In a case of extreme anxiety, you may need to visit your veterinarian.
In instances where there are no other pets, deciding whether to get another pet is a very individual decision. Some feel the loss so greatly that they want to get another fur baby right away. Others wonder if they will ever be able to get another pet because they don't want to experience this kind of loss again. Many professionals think it's a good idea to wait at least a month before bringing another animal into your life. When you're ready you can check out the dogs and cats in your local shelter and feel positive about giving another pet a good home.
If you need additional support, please check out these online resources for dealing with grief over the loss of a beloved pet:
You can also call the ASPCA Pet Loss Hotline at (877) GRIEF-10 for support in dealing with the loss of
a pet. Allow yourself time
to grieve and heal, and be grateful that your life was made that much better by sharing it with your
furry friend.
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