We have good news! NC's grant application for one-year funds for additional
respite care services was selected for funding by the U.S. Administration
for Community Living. This will allow us to add additional dollars to our
respite voucher program managed by the NC Respite Care Coalition. We are
excited and grateful for the opportunity to serve new and more family
caregivers than we have been able to previously. We anticipate the
application process for the vouchers will begin in late October/early
November and will operate similarly to how it has in the last three years.
We are trying to reach new and unserved populations with these funds so if
you have referral sources who are not familiar with the purpose and process,
please help us spread the word. The note below is a short article that
hopefully hits the highlights of the program and how readers can join the NC
Respite Care Coalition and find out more about the vouchers as they become
available. If you have listservs, electronic bulletins, etc. that may
benefit from this information please share this with them.
Thank you. We'll have more info as we proceed and look forward to seeing all
who can join us at our next Team meeting on November 18th.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has been awarded
a one-year Lifespan Respite Care Program Expansion Supplement from the U.S.
Administration for Community Living. This one-year grant will provide
approximately 150 respite vouchers to family caregivers of people with
special needs of any age who do not qualify or are on a waiting list for
other publicly-funded respite programs and are determined to be in need of
the service. The grant award is managed by the NC Division of Aging and
Adult Services (DAAS) and is the fifth Lifespan Respite Care Program grant
awarded to DAAS since 2009. The vouchers will be administered by the North
Carolina Respite Care Coalition through a contract with DAAS. More detailed
information and an online application for these $500 consumer-directed
respite vouchers will be available online at
northcarolinarespitecarecoalition.org later this Fall. Membership in the NC
Respite Care Coalition is free and members will receive further information
as it becomes available directly through email. Persons may join the
Coalition through the organization's website. Agencies who work with family
caregivers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with this respite
voucher program and assist family caregivers who may benefit from the
service with the brief application.
An advisory team of more than 50 representatives from NC DHHS divisions,
local and regional providers, family caregivers, and area non-profit
organizations provide counsel and assistance to the DAAS project leadership
team on a variety of activities related to the NC Lifespan Respite Care
Project. In addition to direct respite care, the NC Lifespan Respite Project
seeks to expand and enhance respite services, improve coordination and
dissemination of services, streamline access to programs, and improve
overall quality, utilization and sustainability of respite services across
the lifespan. For more information, contact Alicia Blater, Lifespan Respite
Project Coordinator and Family Caregiver Support Program Consultant at
Alicia.blater@dhhs.nc.gov and 919-855-3413.
For assistance accessing this valuable problem contact
Gail E Sonnesso M.S.QDCS
GEM Adult Day services Inc.
(252) 580-3354
Email: gsonnesso@gmail.com
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Lifespan Respite Care Program Expansion Supplement
Harmony Cafe Sat. September 10th 11-3pm at Kitty Hawk United Methodist Church
Hello Friends,
Our Last Harmony Café was hosted by the RIFF TIDES and their spouses! We really enjoyed their 50’s 
rock N Roll music! SAGA’s Community smiles program provided a wonderful lunch of sandwiches, sides and salads.
This month we changed to date to the 10th and were we lucky we missed Hermine!
Our hostess this month is Mary Ellen Hawthorne and the music will be provided by Angelo & Friends!
Our craft will be Pansy’s, flower sticks and creative flower pots to hold them. If you know of someone who could use a cheerful pansy let us know!
Next month on October 1st we are thrilled to announce that Outer Banks Presbyterian Church is our co-host and we look forward to their visit. Jean Basnight a GEM board members [and member of OB Presbyterian) will be joining us too.
Pictured L-R Jane Susan & Sara (Riff tides spouses) and Nick, Janes Husband.
Please let me know by calling ~GAIL @ 252-480-3354, that you are joining us so we have enough supplies.
See you soon,
Gail E. Sonnesso, MS, QDCS
AFA Excellence in Care Specialist
GEM DAY SERVICES, INC.
252-480-3354
70% of people living with dementia are cared for at home!
https://www.facebook.com/TheGemCenter
https://www.facebook.com/obxTheRiffTides/
Sunday, September 4, 2016
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.
Monday, August 15, 2016
Exciting things are planned for November 19
Exciting things are planned for November 19, 2016 at Kelly's! An
old-fashioned, "fun"-raising Dance Marathon, for the benefit of GEM, will be
presented with an opportunity to dance, spectate, and participate is open to
all!
Early enthusiasts include The Outer Banks Real Estate Company as lead
sponsor, Gallop Funeral Services and the Jolly Roger as supporting
sponsors. Pamlico Jack's will be entering a team and other restaurants are
talking about fielding a group of dancers who will have already collected
pledges from friends, neighbors, local businesses for each hour they dance!
GEM is dedicated to assisting those who have dementia-related conditions,
such as Alzheimer's and also supporting their caregivers with activities
throughout the year.
The Dance Marathon, dubbed CARPE DM, will run from 11-9, and entrants can
dance all, or part of the time. The day will feature live bands, dance
demonstrations and a DJ spinning the records that will put everybody's toes
tappin'!
Come and join us; call Gail Sonnesso 252-480-3354 for more information or to
register!
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Next Harmony Cafe Saturday August 6th @ 11am
Press Release
Harmony Café
July 27, 2016
Gail Sonnesso
252-480-3354
GEM ~ Gentle Expert Memorycare and is thrilled that the KHUM Church is hosting a monthly get-together to assist families caring for people living with dementia whether they be spouses, parents, children with early on-set dementia or people with downs syndrome who are now experiencing dementia.
Our August meeting 8/6 will include a performance by the Riff Tides a local band playing the music of the 50’s & 60’s.
This get-together, which is named "Harmony Cafe," will provide a craft/art activity (which encourages conversation and sharing of memories as folks work), a light lunch, exercise time (chair aerobics), and music (group singing).
Frail seniors can attend with their family member or community friend for 3 hours (11 am-2 pm) with hopes that as the seniors were able to "trust" the GEM staff and church volunteers the seniors could be dropped off and picked up by their family, giving these emotionally exhausted caregivers 3 hours of time off on a Saturday to shop, go to the beach, or just relax at home.
Gail Sonnesso would always be at the event, along with her husband Angelo, and other CNP staff (who could assist patients in case of emergencies, help with bathroom time, etc.).
You can register either by email gsonnesso@gmail.com by calling 252-480-3354 through the G.E.M. office. The dates are set for the first Saturday of each month and the program runs from 11 am - 2 pm (NOTE *the September meeting will be on the 10th due to the holiday)
Gail E. Sonnesso, MS, QDCS
AFA Excellence in Care Specialist
GEM DAY SERVICES, INC.
252-480-3354
70% of people living with dementia are cared for at home!
https://www.facebook.com/TheGemCenter
Monday, July 25, 2016
free eye & health screenings
NAGS HEAD LIONS CLUB HOSTS FREE VISION SCREEN
Nags head- the Nags Head Lions Club invites the community at large to a free vision and hearing screening Thursday July 28, 2016 at the Avon Fire House in Avon, NC from 11 to 3 pm. The fire station address is 40159 Harbor Road in Avon.
Also featured will be a health fair with free wellness and health information from:
The Community Care Clinic, Executive Director, Rick Gray
GEM Day Services, Inc., Executive Director Gail Sonnesso
GWEP Program -Geriatric Screening Nurse, Jean Matthews, MSN, RN
NC Service for the Blind, Social Worker, Betse Kelly will also be on hand to take applications for assistance with eye exams or glasses.
Nags Head Lions Club President Gail Sonnesso arranged to have the North Carolina Lions Club Foundation Mobile Eye Screening Unit visit the area as it tours sites around the state giving non-diagnostic vision and hearing screenings to young and old alike.
"The vision van's visit fits our mission to preserve and protect eyesight and advocate for eye health particularly in our local community."
The Nags Head Lions Club holds a lunch meeting every 2nd and 4th Tuesday at the Sea Ranch in Kill Devil Hills and is always welcoming new members. Please call Gail Sonnesso at 252-480-3354 for more information.
Sunday, July 10, 2016
WATCH The Genius of Marian' on MONDAY JULY 11 @6pm : at Gallop Funeral Services light supper provided
Alzheimer's struggle~ Family's struggles
".She was smart, vivacious, everyone's best and most reliable friend and a
member of a singing group with women she'd known since high school.
Alzheimer's films are very often and perhaps necessarily about family. If
one member of a family has the disease, it affects every member of the
family, as it does with the Whites. Pam's children, including younger son
Luke and daughter Devon, work tirelessly to keep Pam's mind as active as
possible. You can almost feel them in a figurative tug o' war with
Alzheimer's, pulling hard to keep their mother from descending into
darkness.
A year before Pam was diagnosed, she decided to write a book about her
mother that she would title "The Genius of Marian." She didn't want her
mother's memory to be forgotten."By David Wiegand Updated 3:41 pm, Monday,
September 1, 2014.
I look forward to seeing you!
Gail E. Sonnesso, MS, QDCS
AFA Excellence in Care Specialist
GEM DAY SERVICES, INC.
252-480-3354
www.gemdayservices.org
70% of people living with dementia are cared for at home!
Angelo Sonnesso
Secretary
The Lions Club of Nags Head
