Leeza’s Place is “A Place for Caregivers”, a community gathering place and resource center for caregivers impacted by chronic or progressive illness.We support all families by connecting caregivers to one another, and by offering individual guidance, information and referrals, as well as a calendar full of programs designed to Educate, Empower & Energize.

MARCH 2010

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EDUCATION:

• Hopeless: The Alzheimer’s Project
  • “Momentum in Science” (Thursday, April 8 at 6 PM)
  • “Caregivers” (Thursday, April 15 at 6 PM)
  • “Grandpa, Do you know who I am?” (Thursday, April 22 at 6PM)
• Volunteering Is Priceless (VIP) Meeting (Thursday, April 15 at 11AM)
• Family Caregiver Support Program (Thursday, April 29 at 6:30 PM)
  

EMPOWERMENT:

• Memory Workshop Through Journaling Exercises (Thursdays at 10AM)
• Empowered Caregivers Support Group (Tuesdays at 11AM; Thursdays at 6:30PM)
• Memory Preservation Through Scrapbooking (Wednesdays at 10AM)
• Brain Injury Support Group (Wednesdays at 6:30PM)
• Stroke Support Group (Thursday, April 29 at 3PM)

ENERGY:

• The Pampered Chef & Tastefully Simple – Fun and Tasty Fundraiser and Product Party (Thursday, April 1 at 1PM)
• Walk It Off – Leeza’s Place Walk Team (Tuesdays at 9:30AM; Thursdays at 3:15PM)
• Crochet Stress Away Workshop (Tuesdays at 1PM)
• Day Out Together: Paint to “Rock” Music (Thursdays at 1 PM)
• This Month’s Refreshments Sponsor – Deerbrook Care Centre
• Save the Dates:
  • Fuzzy Slipper Night (Thursday, May 6 at 7 PM)
  • Tiptoe thru’ the Tulips: A Spring Tea Party (Tuesday, May 25 at 1 PM)

 

EDUCATION

HOPELESS: THE ALZHEIMER’S PROJECT–HBO Documentary
Alzheimer’s is a growing problem throughout our community. In fact, few Americans are untouched by this devastating disease. As loved ones lose the qualities and memories that made them unique and vital individuals, family members are often unprepared to handle the challenging behaviors that only increase over time.
The best way to arm ourselves against the consequences of Alzheimer’s is through increased knowledge and understanding. That’s why the Deerbrook Senior Education Institute is hosting a series of FREE informative seminars presented by the Alzheimer’s Association, Leeza’s Place at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center, and Deerbrook Care Centre.

DATES: Consecutive Thursdays: April 8, 15, and 22 (see boxes below)

TIME: 6:00 – 8:00 PM (Refreshments will be served)

LOCATION: Deerbrook Care Centre ~ 306 North Larkin Avenue ~ Joliet, IL

RSVP: 815-744-5560 or visit www.deerbrookcarecentre.com/alzheimers

“Momentum in Science”
Two years in the making, this film details the current explosion of knowledge within the scientific and medical communities with regard to treatment, early detection, and ultimately the prevention of Alzheimer’s.

• Thursday, April 8, 2010 ~ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

“Caregivers”
A frank and compassionate look at five families caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s in various stages of the disease. This film will be followed by a discussion facilitated by Caryn Etkin, PhD, MPH of the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center and Rush University College of Nursing.

• Thursday, April 15, 2010 ~ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

“Grandpa, Do you know who I am?”
Geared towards children and young teens coping with a grandparent’s illness, this film presents vignettes that can help children understand and deal with the confusion and upsets of a relative’s gradual decline into Alzheimer’s. Insightful lessons are accompanied by commentary from Maria Shriver, whose father was diagnosed with the disease, and who is the author of the book What’s Happening to Grandpa?.

• Thursday, April 22, 2010 ~ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

VOLUNTEERING IS PRICELESS (VIP) –VolunteersMeeting
VOLUNTEERS… We are asking our Leeza’s Place volunteers to attend a monthly meeting to help us organize volunteer opportunities for upcoming programs and events. Our meetings will be held the third Thursday of every month. It is important that all volunteers attend these meetings. If you are unable to attend, please contact Leeza’s Place at 817-741-0077. Your help is so greatly appreciated.

• Thursday, April 15, 2010 ~ 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAM –Help for the Unpaid Caregiver
A repeat from a program offered in March, Toni Ann Brandolino, Caregiver Support Coordinator at Will County Senior Services, will talk about the Family Caregiver Support Program. This program provides valuable resources for those who are giving unpaid care to adults age 60+ and for those with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder.

• Thursday, April 29, 2010 ~ 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

EMPOWERMENT

MEMORY WORKSHOP THROUGH JOURNALING EXERCISES – EmpoweringYour Words
This memory workshop, using journaling, will help you exercise your mind and strengthen your memory, and at the same time help you reduce stress by releasing the intensity of your feelings. You will use questions from the book “Journaling, The footprints of your life…” by Kim Jackson (available for purchase at Leeza’s Place, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Leeza’s Place). Each week a specific life event will be introduced.

• Thursday, April 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2010 ~ 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

EMPOWERED CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP–Leeza’s Place Support Group
LEEZA’S PLACE AT PROVENA SAINT JOSEPH MEDICAL CENTER offer Caregiver Support Group sessions that provide an atmosphere of understanding and support for caregivers to explore common difficulties and experiences that come with being the primary caregiver. Group discussions will be facilitated by Kathy A. Miller, Joliet’s Leeza Care Advocate and Kim Jackson, Leeza Care Advocate Assistant. You are welcome to join us for a time of education, sharing, caregiver support, and to enjoy the company of other caregivers.

• Tuesday, April 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2010 ~ 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (No meeting April 1)
  
• Thursday, April 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2010 ~ 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

MEMORY PRESERVATION THROUGH SCRAPBOOKING–Building & Preserving Family Memories
LEEZA’S PLACE AT PROVENA SAINT JOSEPH MEDICAL CENTER offers an on-going Memory Preservation Workshop for the caregiver and their recently diagnosed loved one. Each workshop is designed to help families create Family Memory Books. Our instructor Kathy Mueller, a scrapbooking genius, teaches participants how to use materials in an artistic way providing an enjoyable and uplifting experience. All materials are provided; just bring your family photos and enjoy! This workshop is for all levels of scrapbookers from beginners to experienced. Please RSVP to 741-0077.

• Wednesday, April 7, 14, and 21, 2010 ~ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (No class April 28) Participants may attend classes on an ongoing, or “drop in” basis

BRAIN INJURY SUPPORT GROUP–You Are Not Alone
LEEZA’S PLACE AT PROVENA SAINT JOSEPH MEDICAL CENTER offers a weekly support group for persons who have suffered a brain injury. Support groups enable individuals to exchange ideas in a confidential atmosphere where both positive and negative views can be expressed without being judged. Remember – you are not alone. Support groups provide: hope, information, friendship, sharing, problem-solving, personal growth, and self-advocacy.

• Wednesday, April 7, 14, 21, and 38, 2010 ~ 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

STROKE SUPPORT GROUP – You Have the Power to End Stroke!
LEEZA’S PLACE AT PROVENA SAINT JOSEPH MEDICAL CENTER offers a monthly support group for stroke survivors and their families. Guests will have the opportunity to increase their knowledge of diagnostic and treatment options and to develop problem-solving and coping skills. This is a monthly support group and is held the last Thursday of the month.

• Thursday, April 29, 2010 ~ 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

ENERGY

WALK IT OFF – Taking Your Oxygen First with Leeza’s Place Walk Team
Whether you want to walk off some weight, walk off stress, or just get out and get some fresh air, take your oxygen first at Leeza’s Place and join our walk team. Every Tuesday and Thursday (weather permitting and no conflicting programs) we will be donning our walking shoes and “Trekking the Trails on Tuesdays & Thursdays”. We walk the Joliet Junction Trail which is located behind Leeza’s Place.

• Thursday, April 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2010 ~ 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM
  
• Tuesday, April 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2010 ~ 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

CROCHET (STRESS) AWAY – Crochet, Coffee, and Caregivers Club
Join us for our Crochet (STRESS) Away Club at Leeza’s Place at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve never held a crochet hook in your hand before or you whiz through crochet projects daily, join us for an afternoon of carefree sharing and fun.
For those who don’t know how to crochet but would like to learn, lessons will be provided by Kathy A. Miller, Leeza Care Advocate. If you prefer to knit instead of crochet, we are equal opportunity crafters and invite you to join us; knitting lessons will be provided by Kim Jackson, Leeza Care Advocate Assistant.
Take time for yourself and reconnect with your spirit… … crochet or knit the stress away!
Supplies (yarn, crochet hooks, and patterns) will be provided; or you may bring your own favorites.
We are also crocheting and knitting baby hats and lap robes that we donate to Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center. All yarn is supplied and volunteer hours are provided.

• Tuesday, April 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2010 ~ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

DAY OUT TOGETHER – Paint to “Rock” Music
If you’re buggin’ to get in the spring spirit, join us for a fun afternoon as we celebrate spring and paint lucky ladybugs on rocks. Finding a ladybug represents good luck…so ensure your luck and create your own little bug to sit on your desk, in your garden… it’s sure to bring a smile. Rock On!

• Thursday, April 8, 2010 ~ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

GOODIES & TREATS – This month’s refreshments sponsored by….
When accident, illness, or just the consequences of aging make reliable, comprehensive compassionate care a necessity, Deerbrook Care Centre offers a continuum of care from short term rehab to long-term skilled nursing. We provide a broad range of specialized services including a self contained dementia care unit, a rehabilitation program, a wound care program, respiratory care and IV therapy and a (soon to open) dialysis program for in house residents. We also offer short-term respite programs for families who need a break from their everyday caregiving routines. "The Village", our self-contained dementia care unit combines specialized programming, personalized care planning and the 24-hour personal support that individuals with Alzheimer's and related dementias need to maintain quality of life, retain personal dignity and maximize independence. Our close-knit unit helps give those in our care a sense of purpose, belonging and well-being. Compassionate staff receive extensive training focused on the special physical, emotional, social and dietary needs of our residents.

While in our care, residents at Deerbrook are able to enjoy a range of social and recreational activities designed to keep hands nimble, bodies moving, minds active and spirits up.

Deerbrook is located at 306 N. Larkin, Joliet, IL. For more information please call our Admissions Department at 815-744-5560.