Circle of Care Leeza’s Place is an intimate and safe setting where caregivers and loved ones recently diagnosed with any memory disorder can gather for education and support, and to prepare themselves for the challenging journey ahead. Developed in response to the challenges Leeza Gibbons and her family encountered while seeking specific and needed support, and funded in full by the generosity of our community through the Circle of Care Foundation, Circle of Care Leeza’s Place offers new supportive settings for the purpose of
Educating, Empowering & Energizing.

All programs are FREE OF CHARGE & held on site unless otherwise noted. Please feel free to contact Stefanie Elkins at 818-817-3259 or selkins@leezasplace.org.

JANUARY 2009

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EDUCATION

Caregiver to Caregiver Support Group*
Tuesday, January 6, 20; 6:00 pm-7:30 pm
Facilitator: Barbara Shaffer
Thursday, January 8, 22; 6:15-7:45 pm
Facilitator: Dorothy Fried
Wednesday, January 7, 21; 10:30 am-12 pm
Co-Facilitator: Leta Nadler/Sandy Kessler
Wednesday, January 14; 10:30 am-12 pm                          
Facilitators: Nancy Kavin
*Please call Circle of Care Leeza’s Place before attending Support Group.
Circle of Care Leeza’s Place offers a support group for caregivers caring for someone with memory loss. You are welcome to join us for a time of education, support and friendship. Activities for your loved one is provided at Circle of Care Leeza’s Place during the caregiver support group, so please come for a time of respite, learning and encouragement.
Support Group Facilitators:
Barbara Shaffer is a Marriage and Family Therapist who enjoys working with adults, families and the senior population.   She has led grief support groups in the past and is affiliated with UCLA Extension's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.  Her current research interest is "positive aging."
Leta Nadler and Sandy Kessler are both Human Services Paraprofessional that were trained at the Wagner Program at University of Judaism.  She has led caregiver support groups for the last 6 six years and is a certified Caregiver Support Group Facilitator with the Alzheimer’s Association.  
Dorothy Fried is a Geriatric Care Manager with her own practice in the San Fernando Valley & Nancy Kavin is a Geriatric Care Manager at Silverado and has worked with seniors and developmentally disabled individuals and families for over 15 years.

Early Memory Loss Support Group
Thursday, January 8, 15, 22, 29; 10:30 am-12 pm   
*Please call Circle of Care Leeza’s Place before attending the Early Memory Support Group.
This is a support group for those that are recently diagnosed with any memory impairment (i.e. mild cognitive impairments, dementia, Alzheimer’s, traumatic brain injury, stroke, etc…) Acknowledgement of having a memory loss can bring up many feelings and is a time where many changes occur. We wanted to provide a space where individuals can speaking freely about what is going on in their lives.
Support Group facilitators:
Joy Fruth, S+AGE Program Director, will be leading the support group.  She has years of experience working with seniors and their families.

Bereavement Support Group
Monday, January 5, 19; 10:30 am-12 pm
This group is dedicated to those caregivers that have lost their loved one in this past year. This group will be co-facilitated by Ellen Ginsburg Kaplan and Lillian Roth graduates of the Wagner Para-professional program that concentrates on counseling and human services.

Parkinson’s Support Group-Topic is "Apokyn treatment for off-episode motor symptoms"
Thursday, January 8; 1-2:30 pm
Guest Speaker: Maureen Kaske-Palomino, RN
Viviane Tondeur, gerontologist, is the Coordinator of the APDA Information and Referral Center in the valley. She has led Parkinson’s disease support groups for the last three years.

Ask the Dr. Series: Vascular Dementia & other memory problems, causes & treatments.
Thursday, January 15; 6-7:30 pm
Dr. Rebecca Melrose is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the WLA VA and an Assistant Research Psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurology at UCLA.   Her research explores how damage to specific brain areas results in cognitive difficulties (such as problems with memory, problem solving, and language) for patients with neurological disorders.

NEW Support Group: Families w/adult children with developmental disabilities
Tuesday, January 27; 6:30-9:30 pm
Bob Ario an executive with Lanterman Regional Center will be the guest speaker.. Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center is a private, non-profit corporation that operates under contract with California’s Department of Developmental Services. 
A developmental disability is defined by state law as:
A disability that begins before the person’s 18thbirthday,
Continues or can be expected to continue indefinitely,
Presents a significant disability in three or more functional life areas,

And must be due to one of the following conditions:
Autism
Cerebral palsy
Epilepsy
Mental retardation
Disabling conditions closely related to mental retardation or requiring similar treatment.

Paid Family Leave Act
Thursday, January 29; 12:30-1:30 pm
Helenann Hirsch from the California Women's Law Center, a member of the Paid Family Leave Collaborative, is pleased to provide training on Paid Family Leave, Family Medical Leave Act and other relevant leave laws. 
 
EMPOWERMENT

Preserving memories through Autobiographical Scrapbooking
Friday, January 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; 10 am-12 pm   
Circle of Care Leeza’s Place is pleased to offer an on-going Scrapbooking Workshop for the caregiver and their recently diagnosed loved one.  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 on-going or drop-in basis.

Ilene Feder, Lisa Mallalieu, & Holly Tyrer are our scrapbook divas will assist participants how to use materials in an artistic way providing an enjoyable opportunity for families to relive cherished memories.

ENERGY

Memory Fitness
Monday, January 12, 19, 26 1:30 pm-3:30 pm
This interactive program will provide insight into the memory process while providing tools and strategies for memory retention. It will be fun!!!
Bernadette Haderlein is a former music therapist and is a credentialed teacher in the adult education division of LAUSD where she has teaching in the Programs for Older Adults for fifteen years. Bernadette wrote the Course Outline for Memory Enhancement that is currently being used by all older adult memory fitness teachers.

Tone Up Tuesday’s
Tuesday, January 6, 13, 20, 27; 10:30 am- 12:00 pm
A weekly fitness class for caregivers and their loved ones designed to:       

• Improve strength, flexibility, balance and coordination in an environment that encourages socialization and safety and overall sense of well being.
• Participate in safe exercises to smoothing, uplifting and energizing music.  Modified movements and postures will incorporate basic Yoga, Qi Gong, Tai Chi as well as Traditional Fitness exercises using chairs, light weights, and music.

This month Tone Up Tuesday will be with Activity Specialist, Judy Elkins. 

Wellness Workshop
Wednesday, January 14; 12:30-1:30 pm
Jana Kadovitz, L.Ac, Dipl.Ac is an alternative medicine practitioner with 12 years of experience. She will be offering wellness techniques through education and hands-on learning to treat you mind, body and soul.

Let’s Do Tuesday Lunch with our Community Partners

Tuesdays, January 20- Belmont Village12-1 pm
This is an enjoyable time to socialize, make new friends, and eat tasty food hosted by local organizations.