GEM Adult Day Services Inc. the Story

Activities & Accomplishments of Organization

GEM Day Services, Inc. has been providing direct support, education and
community awareness to people living with dementia and their caregivers
since 1996. GEM fills in the gaps in dementia care for families caring for
their loved ones at home. This is done by providing the first Caregiver
Support Group (1996), the first Adult Day Program (2001), the first offering
on-going classes for caregivers, both family and professionals
(2004-present). GEM in collaboration with the Alzheimer's Association
brought the first Dementia Educational workshop to the Outer Banks (2004)
and introduced Teepa Snow, FOTA, world renowned Dementia Trainer to our
community. GEM founded and continues to provide: Caring Teens, Art at the
Park, and our newest program "Harmony Cafe". GEM is the only organization
providing Memory Screenings in collaboration with the Alzheimer's Foundation
of America on an ongoing basis since 2008. GEM continues to provide the
only Candlelighting Service to "honor and remember and care" for our loved
ones living with dementia and those who have passed on.

GEM in collaboration with Cathy Pfendler, RN and Christina Petzing, MD
created the first document providing hospital staff and family caregivers
with a tool enabling better and more informed care for patients with
dementia when seen at the OBX Hospital.

GEM has published two books: COOKING WITH ISABEL, which includes tips and
eating solutions for people living with dementia and ACTIVITIES AS TREATMENT
which is a game plan for family caregivers and community friends. GEM also
presented the First GEM GAMES, enabling people living with dementia to
compete and win medals; GEM also includes people living with developmental
disabilities in their games.


What Has Been Their Greatest Impact on the Outer Banks

GEM has consistently raised awareness in our community to the gaps in
services for families living with dementia. With a grant from the Outer
Banks Community Foundation and the guidance of Robert Green, Ph.D., we
surveyed Dare County citizens to learn how much they knew about dementia.
Dr. Green determined that 957 of our 6000 seniors were at risk. GEM
provided the results to community groups in Dare County and GEM continues to
work with community leaders to develop much needed group respite care
programs in our area.

GEM provides on-going programs to this population such as art classes with
the Dare County Arts Council, a collaboration with the Community Care Clinic
of Dare for Memory screenings and the current "Harmony Cafe" at Kitty Hawk
United Methodist Church; this well-received offering gives a break for
everybody: the caregiver, the person living with dementia, and their
friends in our community. Harmony Cafe is the only program of its kind in
Dare County.

GEM's dream is to have a Dementia Center that addresses the myriad and
diverse issues faced by our elderly population and their extended families.
This center would include a licensed Adult Day Health/Social Center,
offering arts and crafts, exercise, and other activities. Dreams are good
things to aspire to!

Why Do They Deserve Recognition?

Getting involved as a volunteer with GEM is an exercise in learning about
dementia: about caregivers and their needs, about dealing with those who are
in the first, middle or last throes of dementia, and about how ONE person
can possibly made a difference.

GEM is a volunteer-run and volunteer-staffed organization whose sole mission
is simple: make things easier for both the patient as well as the caregiver.
The many ways this can be done is both uplifting as well as daunting, but
GEM leaders, Board members and supporters tend to roll up their sleeves and
forge ahead.

GEM has been called by many of those who use its services, "a beacon", "a
lifeline", and "a shining example of what can be done, and what needs to be
done" for those families who deal with dementia on an ongoing basis.

GEM addresses dementia in all its forms: PTSD dementia, AIDS dementia, as
well as the more familiar versions of Alzheimers. The organization reaches
out across governmental, religious, and civic groups to better forge
relationships that will result in advances in care and treatment.

Collaboration is a by-word for those who are actively involved with GEM.
Identifying like-minded groups, be they government/civic/business, as well
as other non-profits such as themselves has become a great tool to craft new
and innovative ways to help those with dementia.

It is with no small amount of pleasure and hope that this nomination is
submitted. We have a great task; we have great people working on this task;
and a pat on the back is often just one more nudge that pushes us all
forward toward a society that will embrace those who are challenged by
dementia and those whose honor and burden it is to serve them.