SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS
January 1 & 2 (Thursday and Friday)
Leeza’s Place closed ~ Happy New Year!
January 6 (Tuesday) 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
E.A.S.E. “Alumni” Support Group (For participants of our Early Alzheimer Support and Education Classes). Please call 768-9575 for information.
January 23 & 30, February 6, 13, 20 & 27, and March 6, 13 & 20 (Fridays) 10:00 am to 12 Noon
INTRODUCING our new Advanced Caregiver Education Classà “Beyond the Basics: Specialized Training in Dementia Care” Led by Pat DeAngelis, R.N., Skills Instructor at Leeza’s Place. This is a 9-module eighteen hour Advanced Caregiving Education Course that is dedicated to the training and education of those caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s and related dementias and enhancing the quality of life of dementia patients. It is designed to help caregivers learn how to compassionately and safely care for their loved ones by focusing on understanding advancing stages of the disease and the essentials of good home personal and daily care as the disease progresses. The class will run for 9 consecutive Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and participants may register for the 9-week course, or register for individual classes. Any classes missed may be taken when the 9-module course begins again in the spring. Please call to register and to receive your complete course outline. 951-7118
JANUARY TOPICS:
Week 1: Understanding Dementia and the Disease Process
Week 2: Understanding and Managing Challenging Dementia Behaviors~ as the disease progresses
January 14 & 28 (Wednesday) 11:00 am to 12:30 pm
Gerda Murphy, LCSW, with Hospice of Health First, holds a bi-weekly Bereavement Support Group at Leeza’s Place designed to assist caregivers experiencing the loss of a loved one. In a caring and supportive environment, caregivers will be given the opportunity to share thoughts, feelings and experiences and will be assisted in their efforts to develop coping skills to understand the grieving process and to develop a support network.
January 16 (Friday) 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Journaling~ nurturing your spirit…leaving a legacy for loved ones. Led by Leeza Care Advocate, Joyce Kennedy. Please join us for the third session of our Journaling Class as participants share their journaling assignments of their life’s ‘stressful times and missed opportunities’ and we discuss the healing benefits of expressing feelings ‘from heart to paper’ and how life lessons can be teaching tools for future generations. Please RSVP at 951-7118 to reserve your space.
January 21 (Wednesday) 10:30 a.m.
William A. Johnson, P.A., Elder Law, Medicaid Planning, will discuss planning opportunities available under new Medicaid laws, including legal and financial strategies that can help preserve your assets from nursing home costs even after your loved one has entered a nursing home. Please RSVP at 951-7118
January 21 (Wednesday) 11:00 a.m.
Stacey Westphal, RN, MS, CEN, Health First Stroke Center Coordinator, facilitator of the Stroke Support Group for caregivers and stroke survivors. Stacey’s group includes guest speakers who specialize in Neurology, Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases. In addition, physical and occupational therapists specializing in stroke rehabilitation and recovery will be invited to speak. This month’s speaker will be Rachel Lefebvre, Ph. D., who will speak to the group about what stress can do to you and she will also teach you skills to manage stress. Please RSVP at 951-7118 to reserve your space.
January 29 (Thursday) 11:00 am
Dr. Rosemary Laird, Medical Director, Health First Aging Institute, to present, “Get the Skinny on Nutrition and Vitamins,” Please join us on the 29th for Dr. Laird’s “Caring for the Caregiver” lecture series as she presents her tips on the benefits of adopting a caregiver-healthy diet and answers questions about vitamins. Please RSVP at 951-7118 to reserve your space.
January 31 (Saturday) 8:00 am to 2:00 pm
Join us for the 6th annual conference for family caregivers providing care and support for their elder loved ones. This day will be filled with information to help each caregiver continue to provide care. The Caregiving for Seniors 2009 Conference will be held at the Melbourne Hilton Rialto with Keynote Speaker Rosemary D. Laird, MD, MSHA Medical Director for the Health First Aging Institute addressing “Caregiving ain’t for sissies” Navigating the Health Care Maze. Free to Family Caregivers but you must register early at www.eldercare.health-first.org or call 453-2994.
Coming In January
“Stitch and Lunch” ~ A time of relaxation, fun and camaraderie with Jane Kresge and Elaine Herron on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month~12 Noon to 1:30 p.m. These sessions are designed to increase your knitting and crocheting skills. Bring your knitting needles and crochet hooks…and yarn if you have it!
Remember…“The only place where housework comes before needlework is in the dictionary.” Mary Kurtz (Compliments of Jane Kresge J )
BINGO at Leeza’s Place- Be on the lookout for the flyer for date and time
Travel and Explore~ coming soon
ONGOING PROGRAMS
Educational Seminars
(Listed under “Special Educational and Support Programs” for the month of January – previous pages
PRESERVING MEMORIES WORKSHOP
Building and Preserving Family Memories through Scrapbooking
Led by Nancy Grabenhorst, Elaine Herron, Tina Goode and Sue Coates
Health First Leeza’s Place is pleased to offer an ongoing Scrapbooking Workshop for caregivers and their loved ones. Each workshop is designed to express creativity and build Family Memory Books. Our instructors teach participants how to use materials in an artistic way providing an enjoyable opportunity for families to relive cherished memories. Participants may attend classes on an ongoing, or drop-in basis.
Thursdays, January 8, 15, 22 & 29; 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS
“Caregiver to Caregiver” (Tuesday) - Leeza’s Place Support Group
Led by Joyce Kennedy, Leeza Care Advocate, Leeza’s Place
Our Tuesday morning support group for caregivers caring for someone with memory loss focuses on finding a path to resilient living through EDUCATION* (gaining the tools to cope) EMPOWERMENT* (taking action- “Action is the antidote to despair.”) and ENERGY* (reaping the rewardsà reducing anxiety with information, encouragement and camaraderie!) Please join us each week for a time of sharing, guidance, friendship and support! Respite Care for your loved one is provided by our Leeza’s Place volunteers.
Tuesdays, January 6, 13, 20 & 27; 10:30 am to 11:30 am
“Empowered Caregivers” (Thursday) - Support Group
Led by Meg Rayder, MSW, Social Worker, Health First Aging Institute,
This “Empowered Caregivers” Support Group allows caregivers caring for someone with memory loss to share the journey with those who understand what they are going through. This group meets once a week and includes group discussions, education, and encouragement. Respite care for your loved one is provided by our volunteers at Leeza's Place during the caregiver support group.
Tuesdays, January 8, 15, 22 & 29 (Thursday) 11:00 a.m. to Noon
E.A.S.E. Alumni Support Groups for caregivers and their diagnosed loved ones
Support Groups for graduates of the previous E.A.S.E.classes which are designed to meet the needs of both the patient and the caregiver. Please call 768-9575 for information.
Tuesday, January 6; 1:30 to 2:30 pm
Leeza’s Memory Television
Visit Leeza’s Place to see just how easy it is to record the highlights, memories, and accomplishments etc., of your life and leave a “live” family legacy for future generations. (By appointment)
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Joe Cataldo’s “Sit and Fit” exercise class
Led by volunteer instructor, Joe Cataldo, Certified Fitness Instructor, Certified in Balance and Stability for individuals over 50 and American Red Cross, CPR and First Aid- THE FOUNTAINS Senior Living Community
Please join us for our weekly fitness class especially for caregivers and their loved ones. This dynamic fitness program is designed to increase strength and improve flexibility while enhancing balance and reducing falls. Our fun, friendly environment incorporates and encourages socialization and exercise.
Wednesdays, January 7, 14, 21 & 28; 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Memory Media Center - Please take advantage of our Leeza’s Place Library!
Leeza’s Place is a community-based education and resource center designed to provide the most current information about Alzheimer’s disease and related memory disorders. The Memory Media Center includes literature, videos, DVD’s, books and computer stations providing internet access. Our visitors may view materials at our location in Melbourne, or check them out to review at home. Several new books have been added to our collection.
Hospice of Health First
Please call 952-0494 for more information on the “award winning” Hospice Team of Health First.
Survivor Support Services…Programs focusing on different stages of the grief process…are offered for survivors dealing with the loss of a loved one. Please call Leeza’s Place at 951-7118 for more information.
For information regarding the Health First Bright Star program for grieving children and their families, please call 733-7672.
“Keeping Your Loved One Healthy, Safe, and Monitored”
Health First Home Care-434-7300
Health First Private Duty-868-8310
CST-Critical Signals Technologies-Emergency Medical Alert Systems-868-5809
ElderCARE is now available: www.eldercare.health-first.org
Eldercare, brought to you by the Health First Aging Institute, is a free online information, referral and care coordination resource for older adults and those who care about them.
HEALTH FIRST DEMENTIA SPECIFIC CARE RESOURCES
East Central Florida Memory Clinic, 3661 South Babcock Street, 2nd floor, Melbourne, Fl 32901
Collaborative effort with Florida Institute of Technology and funded by the state of Florida to provide memory screenings, caregiver education, and professional education on memory loss. Memory screening, diagnosis and treatment are the most important aspects of living successfully with a memory disorder. Call 768-9575 for Memory Screening or dementia education.
Health First Aging Institute (Two locations, Merritt Island and Melbourne)
Medical Director, Rosemary Laird, MD, Geriatrics, call 727-9764
Visa Srinivasan, MD Geriatrics, Babcock Center, 3661 South Babcock Street, 2nd floor, Melbourne, 727-3370
220 S. Courtenay Parkway, Suite B, Merritt Island, call 868-5815
The Health First Aging Institute, a comprehensive patient-centered resource, represents a multidisciplinary team approach to elder care. With locations on Merritt Island and in Melbourne, the Aging Institute’s healthcare team is directed by Rosemary Laird, MD, a specialty fellowship-trained, board-certified Geriatrician and includes Visa Srinivasan, MD (Dr. Visa),– fellowship-trained, board-certified Geriatrician.
Both the East Central Florida Memory Clinic and Health First Leeza’s Place are affiliated programs of the Health First Aging Institute
