FREE screenings for memory, falls risk, depression will be provided on Friday February 10th at the Dare County Center in Manteo from 10 - 1pm.
GEM is partnering with the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) and GEM will provide information about our programs of support for families caring for a person living with dementia and tips about “The Next Steps!”
To register or for more information call Gail Sonnesso, Executive Director of GEM at 252-480-3354
Hello Friends,
I have found the ALZ foundation to be a great help not only for me but it provides many educational materials and workshops and even has a support group for professionals to help us to better support our families.
Being the caregiver for a spouse is completely different than caring for a parent.
Best,
gail
From: Alzheimer's Foundation of America [mailto:info@alzfdn.ccsend.com] On Behalf Of Alzheimer's Foundation of America
Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2017 4:16 PM
To: gsonnesso@gmail.com
Subject: Join Now - AFA's Newest Evening Telephone-Based Support Group
Caring for a Spouse
Author Gail Sonnesso, MS
January 14, 2017
“She was never social” or “he wouldn’t want to do that!” I am sure if you work with families caring for people living with dementia you have heard this response many times especially when you invite the caregiver to bring their loved one to a specialized dementia friendly program.
The caregiver is making this decision without trying the program and everyone loses! The caregiver misses learning what their loved one can still do and enjoy, the program loses out because “numbers” mean funding; and the person living with dementia misses an opportunity to experience being with other folks and participating in meaningful activities!
Maybe a better way to invite folks to a program is to say “their loved one will be engaged”; they will laugh and be more fun to live with!” One wife said to me “that she had her husband back” when he returned from a day at GEM they would have something to talk about over dinner!
Another way to express that people are social might be to say “people need people!” People living with dementia are still people with hopes and desiring lives filled with meaning and purpose. They will benefit by being with others in a dementia friendly environment designed specifically for them.
Families report to me that their loved one doesn’t want to do anything or won’t go out. My question is where do you go when you are out? Maybe it is the way you are asking them? Or maybe where you are asking them to go?
Caring for a person living with dementia who has lost their initiative and self-direction is exhausting for the primary caregiver, your day is not your own! Harmony Café, or an art class will give the person living with dementia a purpose and the caregiver relief or “Respite” from the caregiving role.
So many families who turn down day programs and place their loved ones in long term care report how they “thrive in the home because of ALL THE ACTIVITIES.” Think about it ….. Try a program and your loved one will have the best of both world’s meaningful days and being able to say at home longer!
Gail E. Sonnesso, MS, QDCS
AFA Excellence in Care Specialist
GEM DAY SERVICES, INC.
252-480-3354
Nest link
" Fundraiser to benefit the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles. Raffles, win
great prizes. Silent Auction, NEST shirts & hats for sale; live music &
dancing by the Riff Tides. Food is also available for purchase off the
dinner and tapas menus. "
Angelo Sonnesso
President,
GEM Adult Day Services Inc.
http://www.gemdayservices.org
https://www.facebook.com/obxTheRiffTides/
GEM TO PRESENT PROGRAM ON THE PROJECT CARE SERVICE EXPANSION FOR NORTH
CAROLINA
Project CARE (Caregivers Alternatives to Running on Empty) is the only
state-funded, dementia-specific support for caregivers who take care of
family members
with Alzheimer's disease. Project CARE is a coordinated delivery system that
is responsive to the needs, values and preferences of families who take care
of family member's with Alzheimer's disease. The Family Consultant for
Eastern North Carolina, Rosalind Pugh will be visiting this region on
January 12th
to explain the expansion and how to use the monies.
GEM's Gail Sonnesso, Excellence in Care Specialist, will discuss other
funding streams available to caregivers of people living with dementia and
other
disabilities.
We will meet Thursday January 12, 2017, 1-3pm at Roosters Southern Kitchen,
Located at 804 S. Croatan Hwy Kill Devil Hills. There is no charge but space
is limited so call Gail @ 252-480-3354 or email
gsonnesso@gmail.com
to register by Monday Jan 9th.
The NC General Assembly in 2014 required the NC Department of Health and
Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services to develop the state's
first
strategic plan addressing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The
Division, in partnership with the NC Institute of Medicine, along with a 47
member
task force, completed a plan in March 2016 entitled "Dementia Capable NC."
The Governor and the NC General Assembly responded favorably to the
recommendation
to expand Project CARE, including offering respite care by appropriating
$550,000 in funding. We invite eligible caregivers and interested parties to
come
to this workshop and learn how to receive vouchers for respite care.
Vouchers can be used to provide in-home respite and/or respite in group
settings,
including Adult Day Care or Adult Day Health Care. Caregivers are reimbursed
as respite care is utilized within the timeframe and amount of the awarded
voucher.
GEM is a community based non-profit serving families caring for a person
living with dementia on the Outer Banks since 1997. Visit our website at
http://www.gemdayservices.org
To register for Rosalind's overview of Project CARE email Gail at
gsonnesso@gmail.com
or call her at 252-480-3354 by Monday Jan 9th.
Dare County Arts Council Unleashes The Power of Art
Dare County Arts Council announces a new program called the Power of Art, serving special groups in need or with limited access to arts programming and education.
Made possible by a grant from the Outer Banks Community Foundation, the Power of Art's objective is to give those with disabilities and difficulties with self-expression the opportunity to create and make critical decisions through unique art programs.
"At the Community Foundation, we are thrilled to support this project because of its ability to use art to reach and empower so many diverse segments of our local population," said Outer Banks Community Foundation Executive Director Lorelei Costa.
The program was designed to utilize the fundamental power of art to create new outlets for the participants' memories, dreams and aspirations. Those interested in becoming involved as a volunteer for the Power of Art program are encouraged to call (252) 473-5558 or email DareArtsPrograms@gmail.com.
"The arts and creative exercises are invaluable tools for self-expression. In many cases, developmental issues and negative experiences have blocked or hindered traditional means of expression. Whether it is an adult with memory loss or a child with a developmental disability, something magical happens when they are creating - they are fully-abled and making critical artistic decisions. This is the Power of Art," said DCAC Programs Director Fay Davis Edwards.
Dare County Arts Council has partnered with local organizations to help meet the identified needs within the community. The initial groups participating in the Power of Art program are GEM Adult Day Services, the SNAP Group, the Monarch Beach Club and Outer Banks Hotline.
Through GEM Adult Day Services' Art in the Park program, DCAC recruited volunteer art instructors to work with adults with memory loss on activities including stained glass and jewelry making. Dare County Arts Council hosts one class per week for GEM Adult Day Services at various locations.
DCAC developed a series of classes and art experiences for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the local chapter of Special Need Ability Program (SNAP). Initial funding for this pilot program was provided by individual donors and the Pauline Wright Endowment.
DCAC partnered with the Monarch Beach Club to provide art instruction and activities to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness and substance abuse disorders. Once a month Dare County Arts Council hosts a workshop at the Monarch Beach Club.
In March 2016, DCAC hosted a Women's Empowerment Workshop with Outer Banks Hotline. DCAC has also provided art supplies to residents of Hotline's safe house and plans to continue to provide art opportunities to victims of domestic violence and their families.
Dare County Arts Council brings arts expertise, working relationships with art instructors, administrative ability and access to multiple venues for art instruction to the initiative. For more information about the Power of Art program, please call (252) 473-5558.
Dare County Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization dedicated to supporting the arts in Dare County. DCAC programming is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council.
Holiday Celebration on Monday 11/28!
We will decorate Christmas Cookies, Open some gifts and sing some carols with Angelo.
We will enjoy Laura’s special cookie decorations and eat some with cocoa!
Gail E. Sonnesso, MS, QDCS
AFA Excellence in Care Specialist
GEM DAY SERVICES, INC.
https://www.facebook.com/TheGemCenter
https://www.facebook.com/obxTheRiffTides/
