Leeza's Place

Letty Q. Sanchez
lqsanchez@leezasplace.org
Leeza Care Advocate
Leeza’s Place by
WellMed-Physicians Health Choice

Letty is the care advocate for Leeza’s Place in the Rio Grande Valley.
“People who know me say I am extremely lucky to be part of this organization, and I could not agree with them more. Being the care advocate for the Leeza’s Place in the Rio Grande Valley provides a great opportunity to be among the few local resources for family caregivers in need of information, understanding, and support; to develop programs that educate, empower, and energize them; and to connect them to resources available within this great community. As a care advocate I intend to represent the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation and our local funding partners, WellMed-Physician’s Health Choice and the Area Agency on Aging of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council, with intense work and sincere compassion.”

Letty has been an advocate and educator for issues relating to caregivers of the aging and disabled population in the Rio Grande Valley for the past 17 years. She formerly acted as the regional director of the Alzheimer’s Association in the Rio Grande Valley and later co-founded Alzheimer’s Resources of South Texas. She has served in various boards helping raise awareness of important issues such as the prevention and exploitation of the elderly; Alzheimer’s Disease; and advocating for the American Disabilities Act. She has been a member of the Area Agency on Aging of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council, Caregivers Committee since 2004.

Letty has a degree in Rehabilitation Services; and a minor in Psychology. She is a certified caregiver’s leader under the American Red Cross Caregiver’s Program- South Texas Chapter. She is eligible for certification as a Qualified Dementia Care Specialist by the Dementia Care Professionals of America, a program of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. Letty hosted an interactive radio program in Spanish about issues related to Alzheimer’s Disease and caregiving funded by MetLife Foundation. She has been a guest in Spanish media outlets and written articles about caregiving issues in local publications. She founded Caregiver’s Linka business model that integrates caregiver education and training strategies into the workforce.
Letty is extremely grateful for the unconditional support she receives from her family, in particular her three daughters and her husband as they have become committed volunteers in Leeza’s Place.


Leeza’s Place by WellMed-Physicians Health Choice
5401 South McColl Road Edinburg, TX 78539 Tel 956-683-7180 Fax 956-683-7456
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. *Educating, Empowering & Energizing.* All programs are FREE OF CHARGE Please feel free to contact Letty Q. Sanchez at (956) 566-2671
MARCH 2010 Download Calendar of Events>> March 9, 2010-----How to Create a Memory Book Memory books are sometimes placed in the same category as scrapbooks, but the two are actually different crafts. A scrapbook is essentially a photo album with a few words or captions to identify the photos. Scrapbooks are often decorated with stickers and drawn pictures. A memory book, on the other hand, is a collection of photos, personal poems, verses and other writings, as well as many other items that recall the essence of a person's life. 1:30-2:30 p.m. Marzo 12, 2010-----Como Crear un Libro de Recuerdos Libros de memoria a veces se colocan en la misma categoría que los álbumes de recortes (scrapbooks), pero los dos son realmente diferente artesanía. Un albums de fotos y recortes (scrapbooking) esta decorado con unas pocas palabras o leyendas para identificar las fotos. Álbumes de recortes a menudo están decoradas con pegatinas y fotografías dibujadas. Un libro de recuerdos, por otro lado, es una colección de fotos, poemas personales, versos y otros escritos, así como muchos otros elementos que recuerdan la esencia de la vida de una persona. 1:30-2:30 p.m. March 23, 2010 ---- On Screen Memory Lane Video, Family This first-of-its-kind video takes viewers through a series of family milestones, including dating, marriage, children and the teen years. Familiar events are presented in photo collections, home movies and personal stories, all set to great period music like In the Mood and Baby Face. The experience is enhanced with brief personal stories told by peers. This activity can certainly be appreciated by caregivers and their loved ones with mild stages of memory loss. 10:00-12:00 p.m. . Marzo 25, 2010----“Del Estrés a la Serenidad” Estrés--todo el mundo habla sobre ello y por una buena razón. Estrés mucho depende de cómo un individuo interpreta circunstancias. Generalmente, el estrés se desencadena por cualquier situación o evento que pueda aparecer controlar, limitar o socavar su poder. Las personas tienden a ser molesto cuando se sienten impotentes o indefensos, incapaz de cambiar sus circunstancias. La clave es la comprensión que corresponde a su alcance para controlar el estrés, en lugar de tener control de estrés. Este taller presentará una visión general de estrés para los cuidadores y los actuales técnicas de habilidades para hacer frente a los problemas. 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Marzo 27, 2010 Series de Aprendizaje para Cuidadores: “Compartiendo Responsabilidades con Hermanos (as) y otros Familares. Grán dilema para personas que no tienen las herramientas de entendimiento y comunicación sobre el tema. Se hablaró sobre lo que es la responsabilidad, la obligación, y el amor en cuanto al cuidar a un ser querido. Muy importante para aquellas familias que son numerosas, donde hay diferentes caracteres, y donde el cuidar a un ser querido se torna difícil para ellos. También se presentara el factor hombre VS mujer; y el factor cultura. Si tu famila experimenta este problema, no puedes dejar pasar esta oportunidad. Por favor reserve su asiento para asisitir a nuestros programas, llamando al 956-683-7180. También, si es necesario programar una cita con la Vocera de Leeza’s Place. ONGOING MONTHLY PROGRAMS CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS Allows guests to exchange ideas and personal stories about their caregiving experience in a confidential setting. Support groups provide information, hope, friendship, sharing, problem-solving, personal growth, self-advocacy and hope. Do something great for yourself and your loved one. *Remember you are not alone.* March 15, 2010 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. English Caregiving in General March 22, 2010 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Español Para cuidadores en general March 18, 2010 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. English Persons with Early Memory Loss NEW March 29, 2010 6:30-7:30 p.m. NEW Leeza’s Place by WellMed Physician’s Health Choice is very proud to host SilverLife Fitness Class. This fitness class is ideal for all seniors interested in keeping their body healthy, flexible, and strong. Classes will be held Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 -10 a.m. Please dress comfortably, bring a towel, and a bottle of water. Leeza’s Place by WellMed Physician’s Health Choice se complace en ser cede de SilverLive Fitness Class. Esta clase de ejercicio es ideal para personas de la tercera edad que les impora mantener su cuerpo sano, flexible, y fuerte. Las clases seran los Lunes y Miercoles de 9 a 10 a.m. Favor de vestir comodo (a), traer una toalla, y una botella con agua. For details call (956) 683-7180 Para mas detalles hablar al (956) 683-7180 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Memory Media Center Leeza’s Place is a community-based education and resource center, we have books on other chronic diseases; caregiving; healthy aging; grief & bereavement. The Memory Media Center includes literature, videos, DVD’s, and computer stations providing internet access. Community Resource Center Leeza’s Place by WellMed-PHC offers links to community resources. Drop by our center and explore what is available in the community to assist you in your caregiving journey. Our goal is to sort through, and connect you with a variety of community and health related services in the Rio Grande Valley. Leeza’s Place by WellMed- Physician’s Health Choice offers 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 call us for further details at 956-683-7180. Community Presentations If you are interested in having a presentation (and/or program) about Leeza’s Place by WellMed-PHC in you agency, school, church, senior center, adult day care, business, nursing home, assisted living facility etc. Please call us (956) 683-7180 or email request to lqsanchez@leezasplace.org. Leeza’s Place is funded in part by WellMed-Physicians Health Choice and the Texas Department Aging and Disabilities, LRGVDC Area Agency on Aging.