An intimate and safe setting for caregivers and those recently diagnosed with
memory disorders ~ offering EDUCATION, EMPOWERMENT, and ENERGY programs.

JULY 2009

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EDUCATION:

• Memory Media Center (Books and CDs available for check-out)
• Animal-Assisted Therapy (Tuesday, July 7 at 11AM)
• Volunteering Is Priceless (VIP) Volunteer Leaders (Thursday, July 16 at 11AM)
  

EMPOWERMENT:

• Brain Injury Support Group (Wednesdays at 6:30PM)
• The Journaling Circle (Thursdays at 9:30AM)
• “Empowered Caregivers” Support Group (Tuesdays at 11AM)
• Memory Preservation Through Scrapbooking (Wednesdays at 10AM)
• In-Focus Photography Club (Thursday, July 9 at 2PM)
• Day Out Together – Painting Sneakers to Music (Thursday, July 23 at 1PM)
• Journaling Reunion (Thursday, July 30 at 11:30AM)
• Stroke Support Group (Thursday, July 30 at 3PM)

ENERGY:

• Walk It Off – Leeza’s Place Walk Team (Tuesdays at 9:30AM; Thursdays at 11:30AM)
• Crochet Stress Away Workshop (Tuesdays at 1PM)
• Pass the Pie Please – Pie in July Pie Exchange (Thursday, July 16 at Noon)
• This Month’s Refreshments Sponsor – Remco Medical Home Medical Equipment

Caregiver Symposium “Take Your Oxygen First” with Special Guest Leeza Gibbons and 3rd Annual Softball Challenge Double Header Fundraiser – Saturday, September 12, 2009

EDUCATION

MEMORY MEDIA CENTER – Please take advantage of our Leeza’s Place LibraryLEEZA’S PLACE AT PROVENA SAINT JOSEPH MEDICAL CENTER is a community-based education and resource center designed to provide information about Alzheimer’s Disease and related memory disorders. The Memory Media Center includes literature, videos, DVD’s, books, and computer stations to provide Internet access. Our visitors may view materials at our location in Joliet, or check them out to review at home.

ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY –Having a “Ruff” Day?
Anyone who has a pet (or pets) knows how calming it is to pet the pooch or pat the cat. Many studies have shown that while we are taking care of our pets, our pets are taking care of us. In fact… Pets help to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, prevent heart disease, lower health care costs, and fight depression.
Susan Fleming, Ed.D., animal-assisted therapist at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center and director of Family Pet Consultants, which provides pet training and behavioral counseling, will deliver a presentation on animal-assisted therapy. A question and answer session will follow the presentation. Susan will be accompanied by her certified therapy dog Buckley, a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. She will discuss the following topics:

• The health benefits of animal-assisted therapy
  
• How to select an animal to be involved with animal-assisted therapy
  
• How to certify an animal to become involved in animal-assisted therapy
  
• How to request an animal-assisted pet for you own therapy
  

• Tuesday, July 7, 2009 ~ 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

VOLUNTEERING IS PRICELESS (VIP)–Volunteer Leaders Meeting
VOLUNTEER GROUP LEADERS… We are asking the volunteer group leaders to attend a monthly meeting to help us organize the other volunteers in upcoming programs and events. Our meetings will be held the third Thursday of every month. It is important that all group leaders 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, July 16, 2009 ~ 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  

EMPOWERMENT

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, July 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2009 ~ 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

THE JOURNALING CIRCLE – A Club of Witticisms, Writing, and Wonderful Stories
Leeza’s Place at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center offers an ongoing journaling club for writers of all levels. Kim Jackson, instructor, will continue to help new writers get started on their journey, and our seasoned writers can mentor the newcomers, spend time writing, share stories, and develop a social circle of writers.

• Thursday, July 2, 9, 16, and 23, 2009 ~ 9:30 AM –10:30 AM

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, July 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2009 ~ 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon 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, June 10, 17, and 24, 2009 ~ 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

IN-FOCUS – Share Your Passion for Photography
Rather than pick weeds this summer, why don’t you pick up your camera and become a Charter Member of Leeza’s Place “In-Focus” Photography Club. We will be kicking off our new photography club at Leeza’s Place on Thursday, July 9. We welcome all who are interested in photography - beginners and seasoned professionals, those who use a point and shoot camera as well as those who utilize the latest photographic equipment. Our goals are to have fun (an excuse not to pick weeds), provide fellowship, education, and the appreciation of the science, technique, and art of photography. Members will need to provide their own camera. There is no charge to belong to our club.

• Thursday, July 9, 2009 ~ 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  

DAY OUT TOGETHER – Painting Sneakers to Music
Give sneakers a one-of-a-kind look with our Painting Sneakers to Music program this month. Instead of painting on paper, we’ll paint on shoes. And for added fun, you can lace up those one-of-a-kind artsy sneakers and join our “Walk It Off” walking program (Tuesdays at 9:30 and Thursdays at 11:30). You’ll be the best dressed walker out there!!!
Note: You’ll need to bring a pair of clean white canvas sneakers to paint.

• Thursday, July 23, 2009 ~ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  

JOURNALING REUNION – Preserving Memories Through Writing
Thursday, July 30, we will be celebrating the first anniversary of our journaling program with a special luncheon. Stop by to reconnect with class members, share stories, meet others who enjoy writing, or to learn more about the Leeza’s Place Journaling Circle program.

We will also welcome a special guest - JoAnn Horvath, a Registered Nurse from Texas. JoAnn is a volunteer with LifeGift, a not-for-profit organ procurement organization that recovers organs and tissue for individuals needing transplants in 109 counties in Texas. She will share her son Craig’s story… how his life saved the lives of five people and how this special story ties with Leeza’s Place in Joliet.

• Thursday, July 30, 2009 ~ 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Luncheon provided courtesy of Dave Darguzis; Please RSVP at 815-741-0077 by July 23
  

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, July 30, 2009 ~ 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 new walk team. Every Tuesday we will be donning our walking shoes and “Trekking the Trails on Tuesdays”. We walk the Joliet Junction Trail which is located behind Leeza’s Place.

• Thursday, July 2, 9, and 23, 2009 ~ 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Tuesday, July 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2009 ~ 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.
Crochet lessons will be provided by Kathy A. Miller, Leeza Care Advocate. If you prefer to knit instead of crochet, 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, July 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2009 ~ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

PASS THE PIE PLEASE – Fruits of Summer… Pie in July Pie Exchange
The origins of pie actually did not come from America. Pie has been around since about 2000 B.C. during the time of the ancient Egyptians. The first pie recipe was published by the Romans and was for rye-crusted goat cheese and honey pie. The early pies were predominately meat pies and came to America with the first English settlers. Over the years, pie has evolved to become what it is today “the most traditional American dessert”. Pie has become so much a part of American culture throughout the years, that we now commonly use the term “as American as apple pie”.

In December, we held our Yuletide Cookie Exchange, so we thought in July we would hold our “Pie in July” Pie Exchange. How about some rhubarb pie? Or apple? Or strawberry? Fruit pies are a delight this time of year. Our Pie Exchange is fun and easy… bring in your favorite homemade pie (fruit or other) for everyone to sample, your pie recipe, and a container to take home any leftovers. Don’t forget your recipes! We are putting together a Leeza’s Place Cookbook, complete with recipes, personal stories, photos, and fun memories of our food fests.

• Thursday, July 16, 2009 ~ 12:00 Noon – 1:00 PM