June 2017 edition

June 2017 edition

 
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FAMILY RESOURCES
National Library of Medicine Resources for Family Caregivers and Older Adults     

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) Outreach and Special Populations Branch is offering free classes in June and July 2017 on NLM resources for older adults and family caregivers. Learn about online resources for locating reliable health information relevant to family caregivers and older adults, including information on daily health issues and medication on MedlinePlus.
Upcoming classes in June and July include:
Thursday, June 29, 6-7pm ET – Introduction to MedlinePlus and other Online Health Resources - Potomac Library (10101 Glenolden Drive, Potomac, MD 20854 ).
Tuesday, July 11, 11am‐12pm ET–Introduction to MedlinePlus and other Online Health Resources - Silver Spring Library (900 Wayne Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910).

Alzheimer's Association - Telephone Support Group

A virtual support group for dementia caregivers that provides a safe and confidential environment for conversation, support, guidance, resources and education from the comfort of your own home or office.
3rd Thursday of every month
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Call in number: 1.866.740.1260
When instructed, participate code: 5942755#

Alzheimer's Association Early-Stage Memory Cafes
Social groups for people with early-stage memory loss and their care partners
Locations:
Olney Library - 2nd & 4th Wednesdays 3:30-5:00
Bender JCC of Greater Washington - 3rd Wednesdays 2:30-4:00
Rockville Senior Center - 1st & 3rd Mondays 12:00-1:00
Nancy H. Dacek North Potomac Community Center - 4th Wednesdays 6:30-8:00
Damascus Senior Center - 1st Tuesdays 2:00-3:30
Ledo Pizza- Germantown - 2nd Tuesdays 2:30-4:00
Pre-Registration Required. Contact Lindsey Vajpeyi at 240-428-1342 or lvajpeyi@alz.org.

Alzheimer's Association support groups provide a place for people with Alzheimer's, their caregivers, family members, and/or friends to share valuable information, caregiving tips and concerns throughout the Alzheimer's journey. Groups are facilitated by trained leaders and are ongoing, free and open to the community.

Please call the 24/7 Helpline (800-272-3900) or contact the facilitator directly for more information and to confirm date and time.To see the Alzheimer's Association National Capital Area Chapter full education and support group calendar visit:
https://sites.google.com/a/alz.org/nca-chapter-calendar/home

SUPPORT NETWORKS

In honor of Pride month, and all the LGBT seniors in our communities, we want to remind legal services, and social and health service providers serving LGBT older adults that they can play a crucial role in connecting LGBT seniors to the services they need to age with justice.
Cultural competence is key to meeting the needs of this diverse group and can help service providers and advocates recognize and help solve some of the intersecting issues that lead to higher rates of poverty and poorer health outcomes than in the general population.
Our Special Report, How Can Legal Services Better Meet the Needs of Low-Income LGBT Seniors?, created in partnership with Services & Advocacy for LGBT Elders (SAGE), explains why LGBT older adults have higher rates of poverty, outlines how discrimination and other factors can lead to unique legal needs among the LGBT population, and provides practical tips for outreach, intakes, and providing culturally competent legal services to LGBT older adults.

Please watch and share the video we created to raise awareness of the unique issues LGBTQ seniors may face.
Another great resource is this video, Safe and Visible, created by LIFE ElderCare and Lavender Seniors to help healthcare and social service providers create care facilities that are welcoming to LGBT seniors.

The Caregiver-online support group is an email based discussion group. Subscribing adds your email address

to the group list. When you send email messages or "posts" to this list, your message is forwarded to the entire group. You can choose to receive either individual posts, which the listserver sends out immediately, or digests, which are a compilation of the day's posts.

To learn more about FCA visit their website

Caregiver Stories
Read fellow caregivers’ stories and share your own . . .
Welcome to FCA's online storytelling section. What better way to learn about family caregiving if not from those who have been there.
Click to read stories and submit a caregiver experience


OPPORTUNITIES

This multi-week class, designed for seniors 55+ who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, will help maintain joint mobility, improve coordination and balance, increase muscle strength and flexibility, reduce stress and improve control over gross motor movements such as walking. (Requires Doctor's Consent Form annually). Participants must be able to follow instruction with some extra direction; be able to retain information to complete one set of an exercise; be able to select correct equipment when instructed; be able to move in and out of classroom independently (canes and walkers acceptable); be able to stand from a seated position unassisted. OR participant may attend class with a helper with him/her at all times. Must also be able to pick up equipment from floor independently or with the assistance of helper who is with participant at all times. There is a LIFT to the second floor, where class is held, that will accommodate a motorized wheelchair if necessary.
Holy Cross Hospital Senior Source Center - Silver Spring Click to register 
(301) 754-8510

Support Group for Caregivers of Seniors
This group in upper Montgomery County offers support for caregivers of all ill and/or aging seniors.
The Holy Cross Caregiver Resource Center can be reached at 301-754-7152. Please ask for more information about the Center's resources, to learn which groups are currently accepting new members, or to discuss other care-giving issues.
Gaithersburg Upcounty Senior Center
1st/3rd Tues 2:00 PM-3:30 PM To register, call: 301-754-7152

Spouses who are caring for ill and/or aging spouses maybe facing the loss of their life's partner, coping with role reversal in their marriage, and much,much more. Bonding within the groups sometimes even helps with the loneliness along the journey.
The Holy Cross Caregiver Resource Center can be reached at 301-754-7152.
Please ask for more information about the Center's resources, to learn which groups are currently accepting new members, or to discuss other care-giving issues.
Free support Groups
Wednesdays 10:00 AM-11:30 AM To register, call: 301-754-7152
Fridays 10:00 AM-11:30 AM To register, call: 301-754-7152
Thursdays 3:00 PM-4:30 PM To register, call: 301-754-7152

The Telephone Support Group
Tuesdays from 6 to 7:30 pm. Call 301-754-7152 in advance to obtain the access numbers. This group was created for spouses and adult children who are unable to attend a group in person. Sharing problems and solutions as well as caregiver bonding still occurs.
The Holy Cross Caregiver Resource Center can be reached at 301-754-7152.
Please ask for more information about the Center's resources, to learn which groups are currently accepting new members, or to discuss other caregiving issues.
Holy Cross Resource Center Tuesdays 6:00 PM-7:30 PM To register, call: 301-754-7152

Support Group For Latinas With Cancer
"Si usted no puede llegar al grupo, por favor llame a Nueva Vida, ya que tenemos muchas actividades cada semana, como: terapia individual, grupos de apoyo para mujeres en tratamiento, grupo de reducción de estrés, tallerespara cuidadores (hijos, parejas, familiares), actividades al aire libre, talleres educativos y mucho más! "
Day: Last Wednesday of each month
Time: Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm - upcoming classes - * June 29 * July 27
Location: Holy Cross Hospital Health Center
702 Russell Ave., Suite 100 Gaithersburg, MD 20877
If you can not reach the group, please call Nueva Vida, as we have many activities every week, such as: individual therapy, support groups for women in treatment, stress reduction group, workshops for caregivers (children, couples, relatives), outdoor activities, educational workshops and much more !
This group is carried out thanks to the collaboration between Nueva Vida and Holy Cross Hospital.
Confirm your participation with Claudia Campos at Nueva Vida at 202 223 9100
To register, call: 202-223-9100

MORE INFORMATION IN NEXT EDITION

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - Montgomery County

NAMI is a respected national organization with a responsive chapter in Montgomery County.
NAMI's mission is to provide comprehensive support, education, advocacy, and public awareness to promote recovery and so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.
Many of NAMI's programs are available in Spanish
Click to learn more about NAMI and its classes, education and advocacy

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IMPORTANT CAREGIVER RESOURCES

If you are a family caregiver in Montgomery County and seek assistance, contact:

Montgomery County Government's Aging and Disability Services Helpline

Is part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
240-777-3000  ADRU website
The ADRU serves seniors and people with disabilities, and offers resources to help people to remain in the community safely and independently. Resources that may be discussed include but are not limited to: long term care planning; assistance with activities of daily living; adult day care; home health care; transportation options; File of Life; senior centers adult foster care; group homes; assisted living; nutrition and mental health options. The ADRU is also the entry point for customers for an intake for case management services, including Adult Protective Services (APS).

The Office has workers to discuss caller concerns and situations and if needed, for any additional follow up.  Office hours are Monday and Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the office is open from 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM.
ADRU has a designated bi-lingual Spanish specialist on staff.  All staff can also provide support through high-quality translation and interpretation, minimizing cultural and linguistic barriers.
 
Alzheimer’s Association
1-800-27-3900
alz.org
The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Access information and resources through the Association's web site and free, professionally-staffed 24/7 Helpline, with translation services in more than 200 languages. Education programs and support groups are offered both in the community and online.

Holy Cross Caregiver Resource Center
301-754-7152
holycrosshealth.org/caregivers-resource-center
Take advantage of many free services for caregivers including a helpline, support groups, library and newsletter. Caregiver support groups for spouses and adult children provide a place to share sorrows and successes, resources and solutions. Classes are available on topics ranging from health and wellness, in home care, handling a parent’s finances and much more. The center’s health information library provides caregivers access to books, DVDs, audiotapes and videotapes on caregiver issues and health-related topics, as well as listings of aging adult services in our community.

Montgomery County Police Autism/IDD/Alzheimer's Outreach Program

 Phone 240-773-6525
 Click to visit website
 The Montgomery County Police Autism/IDD/Alzheimer's Outreach Program provides a layered approach to  Alzheimer's/Autism/IDD safety and awareness through education, follow up, and response. 
 Upon request, Montgomery County Police provide wearable ID bracelets to County residents at risk of wandering    and getting lost. These can help first responders and others identify a family caregiver to contact in the event an  individual becomes lost or needs medical help and cannot fully explain their situation.

Phone 301-816-9647
Click to visit website
If you reside in Montgomery County and are an unpaid, live-in, primary caregiver for a frail senior citizen, you may apply for respite care from The Arc Montgomery County.
Respite can provide short-term relief for a few hours, a day, a weekend, or sometimes longer. However, respite care is not a substitute for ongoing care or adult day care. It's just a way to support families who take care of their loved ones at home. Families can choose from many respite care venues, including the family home, adult medical day programs, and approved respite facilities.

Respite may provide a subsidy to pay a Respite Care Provider (RCP), but it is not an entitlement. Eligibility for a subsidy does not guarantee funds for each respite occasion requested. There is limited funding for respite care and our goal is to assist as many families as possible each month.