OCTOBER 2017 eNewsletter

caregiver support program
Montgomery County MD Caregiver Support Program eNewsletter
October 2017 edition 

 
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Stay in touch visit the County's Caregiver Support webpage, click here to visit


Just releasedMCG

 

 

Montgomery County's Caregiver Support Video
The Montgomery County Caregiver Support Program and its partners help caregivers through support groups, education, and personalized care. This video provides caregivers with clear guidance to local resources:  Click here to view




CAREGIVER SUPPORT

Maintaining Health and Financial Security as We Age        MCG
Tuesday, October 17 from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm (light refreshment at 5:30 pm; program will begin at 6:00 pm)
Silver Spring Civic Building, Great Hall, One Veterans Place, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
This FREE workshop aims to provide tools and knowledge we need to begin planning for the health and financial demands that arise as we age. A panel of experts will discuss Social Security, Medicare, financial management, and resources available to help with planning. A resource fair will be held from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Registration is required due to limited space. Please RSVP by Wednesday, October 4. You can register by clicking here 
or by calling Karlie Leung at 240-777-3421.




WASHINGTON OASIS
New Caregiver Support Group starting in October    OASIS
Even when caring for a loved one is an act of love, it still takes many new skills and a great deal of energy. It also raises a lot of questions.
OASIS' Caregiver Series will offer a place to learn from the experiences of others and to encourage those who are in similar circumstances.
The sessions will be facilitated by compassionate professionals. Some sessions will spotlight expert guest speakers on a variety of topics to support you in your caregiving journey. Most sessions will allow time for questions and group discussion. This group is strictly for those who are in a caregiver role. This series is sponsored by Family and Nursing Care. Limit: 20
Wednesdays 10:30am-12pm
Dates: October 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th, November 1st, 8th, 15th, & 29th. (8 Sessions, no class November 22nd)
Location: OASIS is inside Macy’s Home Store, Westfield Montgomery Mall, 7125 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, 20817
*Please call 301-469-6800, press 1, then extension 211

Even when caring for a loved one is an act of love, it still takes many new skills and a great deal of energy. It also raises a lot of questions. Our Caregiver Series will offer a place to learn from the experiences of others and to encourage those who are in similar circumstances. The sessions will be facilitated by compassionate professionals. Some sessions will spotlight expert guest speakers on a variety of topics to support you in your caregiving journey. Most sessions will allow time for questions and group discussion. This group is strictly for those who are in a caregiver role. This series is sponsored by Family and Nursing Care. Limit: 20



ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION    Support Groups
To register for an Alzheimer's Association program, please call 800-272-3900 or email lvajpeyi@alz.org.
The Alzheimer's Association National Capital Area Chapter is happy to announce the launch of our first Google Hangout support group for younger caregivers (under 40)!
This online support group will meet on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays 7:30-8:30pm EST beginning in September.
For more information or to register, please contact lvajpeyi@alz.org<mailto:lvajpeyi@alz.org> or 240-428-1342.

Wednesday, October 11
7:00-9:00pm
Understanding & Responding to Dementia-Related Behavior
Hospice Caring Inc, 518 S Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877

Thursday, October 12
10:00-11:30am
New Memory Cafe begins at White Oak Senior Center in Silver Spring! Click here to learn more.

Saturday, October 14
9:30am
Walk to End Alzheimer's on the National Mall, Washington DC

Wednesday, October 25
1:00-2:00pm
The Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease
Schweinhaut Senior Center, 1000 Forest Glen Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20901

Thursday, October 26
11:00-12:30pm
Living with Alzheimer's for Caregivers: Early-Stage part 3
Brightview Fallsgrove, 9200 Darnestown Rd, Rockville, MD 20850

Thursday, October 26
2:00-3:30pm
Legal & Financial Planning for Alzheimer's part 2
Arden Courts of Potomac, 10718 Potomac Tennis Ln, Potomac, MD 20854




NAMI      NAMI
Mental illnesses are brain disorders that are biologically based medical problems. Untreated, they can cause severe disturbances in thinking, feeling and relating. This results in substantially diminished capacity for dealing with the ordinary demands of life. Mental illness can affect persons of any age and occur in any family. They are not caused by bad parenting and are not evidence of weakness of character.

NAMI MC envisions a community where all persons affected by mental illness experience resiliency, recovery, acceptance, and wellness.
NAMI MC provides 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.

What Is NAMI’s Family-To-Family Program?
The NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program is a free, 12-week course for family caregivers of adults with severe mental illnesses.

The course is taught by trained family members
Over 300,000 family members have graduated from this national program
What Does The Course Include?
Current information about schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder (manic depression), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, and co-occurring brain disorders and addictive disorders
Up-to-date information about medications, side effects, and strategies for medication adherence
Current research related to the biology of brain disorders and the evidence-based, most effective treatments to promote recovery
Gaining empathy by understanding the subjective, lived experience of a person with mental illness
Learning in special workshops for problem solving, listening, and communication techniques
Acquiring strategies for handling crises and relapse
Focusing on care for the caregiver: coping with worry, stress, and emotional overload
Guidance on locating appropriate supports and services within the community
Information on advocacy initiatives designed to improve and expand services
This class, like our other classes, requires PRE-REGISTRATION.

The upcoming Family-to-Family session will begin Monday, September 11th. To sign up, please click here.
If you would like to be added to our email distribution list for the Family-to-Family class, please sign up here.
This class is for caregivers of adults with mental illness. If your loved one who is living with mental illness is under the age of 18, please register for NAMI Basics, below, instead.

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Click link below to register



click here to see the calendar for the Family Support Groups



Caregivers

AARP's Caregiver Support
Click to visit website      
AARP has developed a online portal that provided support, education and vital information for caregivers.
They have an excellent Prepare to Care online handouts available in English, Spanish, Chinese and adapted in English for the Asian American community.
The AARP Caregiver Support website is available to everyone, no cost, 24/7. Resources allow caregivers to read well researched articles, advocacy report, fellow caregivers experiences tip and strategies.  Ranging from available "entitlements", other government benefits and resources, community supports and much more.


CAREGIVER CREATIVE OPPORTUNITIES

National Center for Creative Aging
http://creativecaregiving.creativeaging.org/   Caregiving
NCCA CREATIVE CAREGIVING INITIATIVE
Flourishing through the Art of Caregiving
IMAGINE A WORLD where every caregiving act for adults with Alzheimer’s disease and related cognitive disorders contributes to quality days for both the caregiver and their care partner.
Welcome to the NCCA Creative Caregiving Guide©. Using any available computer, tablet, or smart phone you can learn, experience, and share vibrant, research-based creative caregiving exercises to help you and your care partner flourish through the art of caregiving—all from the convenience of your own home, office, support network, or care setting.
Bienvenidos a la Guía de Cuidado Creativo de NCCA. Por medio de cualquier computadora, tableta o teléfono celular usted podrá aprender, participar y compartir cantidad de ejercicios excitantes y basados en investigación en el campo de cuidado creativo, para asistirle a usted y a la persona a quien le ofrece cuido florecer por medio de las artes - todo desde la comodidad de su hogar, oficina, red de apoyo o espacio de cuido.
This free resource is designed to be shared. It provides an expanding array of creative lessons to address the physical, mental, and social needs of family and professional care partners of adults living with Alzheimer's disease and related cognitive disorders. The guide is constantly expanding with lessons for additional languages and cultures. So check back often.


AFTA
AFTA collaborates with community organizations and art practitioners to offer stimulating creative experiences for older adults. 
http://www.aftaarts.org/   AFTA
Read about AFTA's work
Program Partners by state 
Their prepare to care guides are available in English, Spanish, Chinese

AFTA's  mission services on those older adults living with age-related physical and cognitive impairments, our high-quality experiences take place at dozens of adult day centers, nursing homes, and assisted living, community and public housing centers in the D.C. metropolitan area.
600+ programs annually give 705 older adults weekly and bi-weekly access to the transformative power of arts engagement.

A faculty of teaching artists grounded in a diverse set of artistic specialties is trained in our nationally recognized best-practices.
Our goal is to stimulate minds, bodies, spirits and imaginations–ultimately contributing to better health and wellness.
AFTA’s vision, in the Washington D.C. region and beyond, is to model and promote how very important dignity and compassion are in the care of older adults, and that arts intervention strategies provide accessible and uplifting ways to cope with changing abilities as we age.
As the region’s leading arts service organization delivering life-enhancing and innovative experiences to older people — in adult care centers, community centers, senior centers, and assisted living and senior housing communities — AFTA’s customized arts engagements are led by trained artists and designed to minimize the effects of ranges of physical and cognitive challenges.
Immersion in visual, musical, performing, literary, and intergenerational arts programs sparks the memory, lifts the spirit and creates social bonds, all so vital to older adults, especially those who are feeling more isolated and lonely because they are developing health impairments.

Just up the road from Montgomery CountyPartner for the arts

Partner in the Arts, a partnership program between the Alzheimer’s Association, the Delaplaine Visual Arts Center and the Department of Aging. This fantastic program is fun for a wide range of abilities, caregivers and care recipients. The format provides a brief instructional portion provided by artist Lesa Cook in an open studio format where everyone can work at their own level. Click here to learn more about this program and registration. 



RESOURCES AND EDUCATION 

Administration for Community Living   ACL
National Research Summit on Dementia Care: Building Evidence for Services and Supports
The National Research Summit on Care, Services, and Supports for Persons with Dementia and Their Caregivers is a two-day meeting sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health through private sector support.
The summit will take place at the National Institutes of Health’s William H. Natcher Building (Building #45) on October 16-17, 2017, in Bethesda, MD.
The summit is free and open to the public. It will also be live streamed by videocast.
The goal of this research summit is to identify what we know and what we need to know in order to accelerate the development, evaluation, translation, implementation, and scaling up of comprehensive care, services, and supports for persons with dementia, families, and other caregivers.
The summit is focused on research that is needed to improve quality of care and outcomes across care settings, including quality of life and the lived experience of persons with dementia and their caregivers.
To register, go to:



Aging in Place

Aging Well in Our Communities event in Damascus
SAVE THE DATE    
Wednesday, November 1st, 10-12 noon: 
A group of residents, faith based organizations and County staff has come together to plan this event in Damascus. Montgomery County's Aging in Place team has recruited an amazing panel of speakers who will share valuable information about how participants can access supports in the area, the session will be moderated by Councilmember Craig Rice. We will also have for time for a community conversation about aging in the Damascus/Clarksburg area. All are invited. Please share with your networks. See attached flyer.




Caregiving - a family project
Caregiver whether everyday, big picture planning, being a long distance caregiver and much more is often a family responsibility. The interested article provides valuable insights and suggestions.
Click to learn more



N4a   N4a
N4a represents Area Agency on Aging entities throughout the county, their advocacy work provides support to best practices and increased support for older adults and caregivers.  Recently N4a produces a ranges of online materials for the general public including: A Guide to Medicare Open Enrollment,
now available in - English, Chinese and Spanish
To learn more visit




Caregivers Support When Returning to the Workforce
JCA    JCA
Need to land a job? JCA is your older worker expert.
Finding employment is one of the biggest challenges faced by many older adults, and JCA helps jobseekers in several ways.
JCA's Career Gateway! offers intensive training, take-home materials, a long-term mentor and individual attention for mid-level managers and other professionals who are seeking employment at age 50+.
Job Search Training for those who are 50+
Are you over age 50 and frustrated by your job search? JCA’s Career Gateway Program can help you perfect your resume, polish your networking and interviewing skills, use Internet job search resources more effectively, and turn your age and experience to your advantage.. Each session of the Career Gateway features 30 hours of small-group classroom instruction over five days, comprehensive take-home materials, practical exercises, and a long-term mentor – all for only $75! Sessions run from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm.
Multiple 2017-2018 Sessions remain available:
Session II – November 6, 8, 10, 13, and 15
Session III – January 22, 24, 26, 29, and 31
Session IV – March 5, 7, 9, 12, and 14
Session V – April 23, April 25, April 27, April 30, and May 2

For more information, call Jodie Rasch at 301-255-4215 or email her at jodie.rasch@accessjca.org






MONTGOMERY COUNTY CAREGIVER RESOURCES
These programs are funded and/or provided by Montgomery County's Health and Human Services

Montgomery County Government's Aging and Disability Services Helpline MCG
part of the County's Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
240-777-3000
ADRU website  http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/hhs-program/ads/adsadsresourceunit-p179.html
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
800-272-3900
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
The Holy Cross Caregiver Resource Center is a wealth of information and supportive services for caregivers. If you’re living with aging parents, or caring for a loved one or friend, the center is your go-to resource for support, education and the latest on healthy aging, and disease diagnosis and treatment.
The center’s health information library is a complimentary service that provides caregivers access to books, DVDs, audiotapes and videotapes on caregiver issues and health-related topics, as well as pamphlets, AARP publications and reprints of health-related articles. Other caregiver resources of this hospital library include brochures from local resources, and listings of aging adult services in our community.
The center’s complimentary newsletter is published three times a year to provide you with tips, book reviews, resources, articles on care giving, and listings of the center’s upcoming seminars, lectures and support groups. View the latest issue of Caregiver News and sign up online or call 301-754-7152 to add your name to our mailing list.
The center also hosts a Caregiver Telephone Helpline at 301-754-7152 to answer questions about services and resources for caregivers.
The senior resources’ center also hosts caregiver support groups, where spouses and adult children can share sorrows and problems, joys and successes, resources and solutions. The center also periodically sponsors caregiver education classes featuring information on everything from handling your aging parent’s finances and first aid—to CPR. 

Montgomery County Police Autism/IDD/Alzheimer's Outreach Program
240-773-6525
montgomerycountymd.gov/lifesaver
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Outreach Unit IDD)
IDD info video: bit.ly/2hP80WQ
Police, Fire and Rescue info video’s: bit.ly/2hL0nR - and - bit.ly/2vr2H32
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.


Respite Services of Montgomery County
301-816-9647
http://thearcmontgomerycounty.org/what-we-do/respite/respite-seniors.html
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.
Our respite program 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.





MONTGOMERY COUNTY'S DIVERSITY COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Montgomery County's Asian American Health Initiative
http://aahiinfo.org/
The mission of the Asian American Health Initiative is to identify the health care needs of Asian American communities, to develop culturally competent health care services, and to implement health education programs that are accessible and available for all Asian Americans in Montgomery County.
In support of this mission, AAHI works:
To conduct in-depth data collection, analysis, and reporting of the health status among the different ethnic groups in the Asian American community;
To expand and improve the existing health services available to Asian Americans;
To ensure the availability of quality health care directed to the specific needs of the different ethnic groups in the community;
To provide outreach programs to inform and educate different ethnic groups about the accessibility and the availability of health care services;
To remove barriers preventing all ethnic groups in the Asian American community from receiving a fair share of health services.


Montgomery County's African American Health Program
African Americans and people of African descent in Montgomery County will be as healthy and safe as the rest of the population.
http://aahpmontgomerycounty.org/en/ Upcoming Events http://aahpmontgomerycounty.org/en/events
Goals
Raise awareness in the Montgomery County community about key health disparities.
Integrate African American health concerns into existing services and programs.
Monitor health status data for African Americans in Montgomery County.
Implement and evaluate strategies to achieve specific health objectives.
Strategy
Bring together community partners and resources in a collaborative and effective manner to support AAHP goals.
AAHP focuses on six major health areas: infant mortality, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, oral health, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Services provided include outreach, health education, support groups, and nurse case management. The program is staffed by registered nurses, health educators, and community outreach personnel.


Latino American Health Initiative
The mission of the LHI is to improve the quality of life of Latinos living in Montgomery County by contributing to the development and implementation of an integrated, coordinated, culturally and linguistically competent health wellness system that supports, values, and respects Latino families and communities.
http://www.lhiinfo.org/es/
Overall functions
Enhance coordination between existing health programs and services targeting Latinos.
Provide technical assistance to programs serving the Latino community.
Develop and support models of programs and services to adequately reach Latinos.
Advocate for policies and practices needed to effectively reach and serve Latinos.
Who is involved with the LHI?
The LHI is comprised of staff members from the Department of Health and Human Services and a group of volunteer professionals and community leaders. These individuals work as a team to inform the Latino community about the LHI and to collect feedback from them regarding their health concerns. In addition, this group acts as the planning body for the LHI and advocates to improve the health of Latino communities.