***It’s That Time Again:
Memory Walk!!!
Please Join Team Leeza and walk with us on Sunday October 5th! For more information about joining our team, call Yael!
Last year Leeza’s Place WON 1st prize for LARGEST Support Group Team. Let’s keep it up this year with even more walkers!!
MONTH AT A GLANCE (Please See Descriptions Below for Details)
Leeza’s Place at Olympia Medical Center
Tuesday, 2nd 1:00 PM- 2:30 PM Caregiver Education Series “Dealing with Communication Challenges” led by Phyllis Goldberg, Ph.D. & Rosemary Lichtman, Ph.D.
Wednesday, 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th PM 2:00 Pm- 4:00 PM Memory Fitness with Miriam Caiden, MS (Gerontology). This class is part of the LAUSD Division of Adult and Career Education- registration is required. At the moment the class is full; please call Yael for more information.
Wednesday, 3rd 1:00 PM ~ 2:00 PM Alzheimer’s Association Presents: Late Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease: What to Expect, How to Plan
Wednesday, 3rd & 17th 11:00 AM ~ 12:30 PM Caregiver Support Group, led by Sheila Moore LCSW, MSG
Wednesday, Young Adult Caregiver Support Group, led by Chad G. Schwartzman MA (will not be held this month, please look for information in our October newsletter)
Tuesday, 9th & 23rd 1:00- 2:30 PM Lesbian Gay Bereavement Support Group, led by Barbara Hament, LCSW
Wednesday, 10th 11:00AM ~ 12:00 PM Music ’N You, led by Laura Kanofsky; a Board Certified Music Therapist & LCSW
Monday 15th 11:00 AM ~ 12:30 PM Stroke Support Group led by Greg Traylor & Yael Wyte MSW (Please NOTE, that the Stroke Group has moved to Olympia)
Monday 15h 12:30 PM ~ 1:30 PM Tai Chi with Andrea Sulzbacher (Please NOTE, that the Tai Chi class has moved to Olympia)
Leeza’s Place at Assistance League
Monday 1st, Parkinson’s Support Group led by Linda O’Conner LCSW & Yael Wyte MSW (WILL NOT BE HELD THIS MOTH DUE TO THE LABOR DAY HOLLIDAY)
Tuesday, 2nd & 16th 6:30 PM ~ 7:30 PM: Caregiver Support Group, led by Sheila Moore LCSW, MSG & Yael Wyte MSW
Respite Care: REMINDER THERE WILL BE NO RESPITE CARE, BUT PLEASE CALL Sal De Los Angeles FROM THE ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCATION @ (323) 930-6257 TO FIND OUT ABOUT FREE RESPITE CARE ASSISTANCE!
Thursdays, 4th, 11th, 18th, & 25th 11:00 AM ~ 12:30 PM: Early Stage Memory Loss Support Group led by Jay Smith & Janie Michaels Grauman, LCSW ( 4th 1 hour, 11th 1 ½ hours, 18th1 hour, 25th 1 ½ hours,)
Thursdays, 4th & 18th 1:00 PM ~ 3:00 PM Gay & Lesbian Caregiver Support Group led by Shirley Hirshberg
Thursdays, 11th 5:00 PM ~ 6:00 PM Alzheimer’s Association Presents: Late Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease: What to Expect, How to Plan
Friday, 12th & 26th 10:30AM ~12:30 PM: Autobiographical Scrapbooking with Debi Staron
Monday 15th 11:00 AM ~ 12:30 PM Stroke Support Group led by Greg Traylor & Yael Wyte MSW (Please NOTE, that the Stroke Group has moved to Olympia)
Monday 15h 12:30 PM ~ 1:30 PM Tai Chi with Andrea Sulzbacher (Please NOTE, that the Stroke Group has moved to Olympia)
LEEZA’S PLACE CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
Led by Sheila Moore, Director, The Center for Geriatric Health at Olympia Medical Center
Our support group offers an atmosphere of understanding and support for caregivers to explore common difficulties and experiences that come with being the primary caregiver. You are welcome to join us for a time of education, sharing, caregiver support, and to enjoy the company of other caregivers. Do something great for yourself. See below for more information. Light refreshments will be served.
Tuesdays, August 5th & 19th 6:30 PM- 7:30 PM Refreshments served (Assistance League Leeza’s Place)
Wednesdays, August 6th & 20th 11:00 AM- 12:30 PM Refreshments served (Olympia Medical Center)
RESPITE
Unfortunately, I am not able to offer respite care at this time, but the Alzheimer’s Association has received a grant for free respite services. Please call Sal De Los Angeles FROM THE ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCATION @ (323) 930-6257 TO FIND OUT ABOUT FREE RESPITE CARE ASSISTANCE and if you qualify!
Gay & Lesbian Support Group
Led by Shirley Hirshberg
Leeza’s Place is happy to partner with the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Senior Programs center to provide a safe and intimate place where caregivers who are caring for someone with a memory loss explore common difficulties and experiences that come with being the primary caregiver.
Shirley has worked at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation as a part-time social worker and volunteer, and is presently facilitating a Life Transitions Support Group at Beth Chayim Hadashim, the oldest Gay and Lesbian synagogue in the United States (started in 2002). She has also worked with Cedars Hospital in the AIDS unit.
Thursdays, September 4th & 18th 1:00 PM- 3:00 PM Refreshments served
Parkinson’s Support Group
Led by Linda O’Conner LCSW & Yael Wyte MSW
Leeza’s Place is proud to partner with APDA (The American Parkinson’s Disease Association) to Educate and Empower you during our support group. This group is for both the caregiver and the care receiver. Come and learn about the latest research being conducted for Parkinson’s and stay for support. The American Parkinson’s Disease Association (APDA) is the country’s largest grassroots organization serving the 1.5 million Americans with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers.
Linda O’Conner LCSW works with the APDA offering Supportive Services to caregivers and Parkinson’s Patients at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.
Monday, 1:00PM- 3:00 PM Refreshments served (Will not be held this month due to the Labor Day Holiday)
Stroke Support Group
Led by Greg Traylor & Yael Wyte MSW
This group is for both the caregiver and the care receiver. Come to learn, share, and receive support in a safe atmosphere full of mutual understanding as we explore common difficulties and experiences that come with being a stroke survivor and the primary caregiver.
Greg is a stroke survivor who is dedicated and motivated by his desire to provide guidance and support to stroke survivors and their families. He is very interested in stem cell research and is dedicated to supporting various charities.
Monday, September 15th 11:00 AM- 12:00 PM Refreshments served (Note: this group has moved to our location at Olympia Medical Center)
Early Stage Support Group
Led by Janie Michaels Grauman, LCSW
This group is a wonderful opportunity and appropriate for those who have been recently diagnosed with a memory disorder or a Mild Cognitive Impairment.
Janie is an experienced clinician who comes to us from the Motion Picture Television Fund. She has been working with caregivers in support groups as well as individual counseling sessions for a number of years in the Los Angeles area. We thank the Motion Picture and Television Fund for partnering with us in conducting this support group for Early Stage Memory Loss.
Thursdays, September 4th, 11th, 18th, & 25th See times above for each week’s meetings Refreshments served
Gay & Lesbian Bereavement Support Group
Led by Barbara Hament, LCSW
Leeza’s Place is happy to partner again with the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Senior Programs center to provide a safe and intimate place to explore common difficulties and experiences that come with grieving for a loved one.
Barbara has been working with caregivers both individually and in a group setting for over ten years at the Center for Geriatric Health. In addition she has vast experience working with the LGBT community.
Tuesdays, September 9th & 23rd 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Refreshments served
Young Adult Caregiver Support Group
Led by Chad Schwartzman MA
This is an appropriate group for Adult Children or anyone in their 20’s or 30’s who are caring for a parent, friend, or relative with Alzheimer’s or Dementia.
Chad Schwartzman, M.A. is a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern. He earned his master’s degree in psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute and currently works as a psychotherapist in both private practice and at the Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic. Chad specializes in Alzheimer’s families and as both the son and grandson of women with Alzheimer’s; he has intimate knowledge about the illness.
WILL NOT MEET THIS MONTH PLEASE CHECK BACK IN OCTOBER
EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS
Alzheimer's Association's Care Consultation Program
With Marianne Hunt, MSW
Alzheimer's Association's Care Consultation Program helps people cope with the challenges of caring for a loved one. The service includes support, education, care planning, problem solving, and referral to community resources.
Marianne Hunt, MSW is the Clinical Manager of the Care Consultation Program at the Alzheimer's Association. She has extensive experience in geriatrics and dementia care.
Please call for an appointment
Caregiver Education Series: Dealing with Communication Challenges
Phyllis Goldberg, Ph.D. & Rosemary Lichtman, Ph.D. *(this is a new series)
As a caregiver, are you struggling with how to discuss certain delicate issues? Come and share your concerns, learn techniques such as active listening and develop new strategies that will lead to more open and honest communication. We invite you to join us the first Tuesday of every month from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Phyllis Goldberg, Ph.D. and Rosemary Lichtman, Ph.D. have experienced the milestones and transitions of the Sandwich Generation. Like many women, they are quintessential caregivers, having raised children, assisted in the care of aging parents and grandchildren and worked in service to others. They have guided women through personal, family, and work-related changes in their individual psychotherapy practices. In 2000, Drs. Goldberg and Lichtman partnered to create www.HerMentorCenter.com, which provides information, education, and mentoring services to midlife women.
Tuesday, September 2nd 1:00 PM @ Olympia Medical Center
WELLNESS SEMINARS
Tai Chi & Yoga Combination
Taught by Andrea Sulzbacher
An ancient form of exercise that combines classical Yang style Tai Chi and Chi Kung movements. The Chinese word Tai means "GREAT." Chi means "ORIGIN." And Chuan means "EXERCISE WITH THE HANDS." Beneficial to the mind, body, and spirit, energy flows as you move through the movements in this class.
Andrea is a Certified Yoga Instructor from Sacred Movement in Santa Monica, and practices varying healing techniques including Reiki, Meditation, Tai Chi Sword and Harmony Style Tai Chi, various Breath Work and Chelation. She is a Certified Usui and Karuna Reiki Master. Andrea holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology.
Monday, September 15th 12:30- 1:30 PM (Please note this class has moved to Olympia)
Music ’N You
Laura Kanofsky is a Board Certified Music Therapist & LCSW
This music group is an opportunity for loved ones and caregivers to come together through music, and experience relaxation, creative expression, reminiscing and fun!
Laura Kanofsky is a Board Certified Music Therapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has worked as a music therapist with older adults in hospice, outpatient psychiatry and private practice settings.
Wednesday, September 10th 11:00 AM ~ 12:00 PM
Memory Fitness
Miriam Caiden, MS (Gerontology) a credentialed teacher with the LAUSD Division of Adult and Career Education
This new interactive program will provide insight into the memory process while providing tools and strategies for memory retention, and it will be fun! Each week we will discuss Current Events with a twist! Use established memory tricks; explore international, national, and local news and discuss issues of the day. Then, we will take a multi-sensory journey to a different country each week. The class will include trivia and news quizzes, games, hands-on cooking and craft projects, music, maps, and video clips. This class is suitable for caregivers and care receivers of all levels.
Wednesday September 3rd, 2008 from 2:00 PM- 4:00 PM. This class will be provided by LAUSD, and therefore you must enroll in advance. The class is full at this time; please call me with any questions.
NEW AT LEEZA’S PLACE
Memory Club
I apologize for to those of you who have called inquiring about our upcoming Memory Club in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association. At this time we unfortunately must postpone the series. Please stay tuned for further information in the New Year. Thank you for your understanding.
ONGOING
AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL SCRAPBOOKING WORKSHOP: PRESERVING FAMILY MEMORIES
Assistance League Leeza’s Place is pleased to offer an ongoing Scrapbooking Workshop for the caregiver and their recently diagnosed loved one. Each workshop is designed to express creativity and build Autobiographical Family Memory Books. Our instructors teach participants how to use materials in an artistic way providing an enjoyable and uplifting experience. By building memories together, families and friends are given the opportunity to relive wonderful moments, which enhance self- esteem and provide opportunities for families to relive cherished memories. Participants may attend classes on an ongoing or drop-in basis. All materials are provided; just bring your family photos and enjoy! This workshop is for all levels of scrapbookers. Light refreshments will be served.
Fridays, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm (Participants may attend classes on ongoing, or “drop in” basis) Refreshments Served
Special thanks to our supporters at PHOTWOW.com who donated a photo reproduction system that will allow you to copy, enlarge, and enhance photos for your scrapbooks.
LEEZA’S MEMORY TELEVISION (LMTV)
Preserving Family Memories and History on Videotape
Assistance League Leeza’s Place is pleased to offer Leeza’s Memory Television - a unique family-based workshop designed to preserve family memories and histories on videotape. Using journaling, scrapbooking, stamping, and photographs, families and participating members have the opportunity to script, stage, and create their own set reflecting their family’s background and story.
LMTV is by appointment only– Please give us a call for more information on how you can record your family video memories, and to schedule your families LMTV session.
Come speak with Yael Wyte MSW the LEEZA CARE ADVOCATE for more information regarding this and other caregiving topics.
If you can’t make it for one of our workshops or education sessions, please feel free to stop by anytime to say hello, visit, or use any of our resources.
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM,
Tuesday’s Noon – 8:00 PM
Other hours available by appointment
