SAVVY CAREGIVER Virtual Classes 

Proven to decrease family caregiver distress, burden and depression, while increasing caregivers’ sense of competence and confidence in their care role. Feel confident and competent in your role as a caregiver.

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR A THURSDAY MORNING CLASS.

 Starts: October 2 through November 6^th

 Time: 9:30am to 12:00pm

Link to the webpage https://mdlivingwell.org/HUB for people who may be interested in registering for these virtual workshops.

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Montgomery County Support Group Programs

EMPOWERED CAREGIVER SERIES- Virtual Platform

This education series teaches caregivers how to navigate the responsibilities of caring for someone living with dementia. Topics include tips for understanding key aspects of caregiving, supporting independence, communicating effectively, responding to dementia-related behaviors and exploring care and support services.

BUILDING FOUNDATIONS OF CAREGIVING

 OCT. 1 | NOON - 1 P.M. | SPEAKER: MICHAEL BRICK | REGISTER

Explores the role of the caregiver and changes they may experience; building a support team; and managing caregiver stress.

SUPPORTING INDEPENDENCE

OCT. 3 | NOON - 1 P.M. | SPEAKER: MICHAEL BRICK | REGISTER

Focuses on helping the person living with dementia take part in daily activities, providing the right amount of support and balancing safety and independence while managing expectations.

COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY

 OCT. 9 | NOON - 1 P.M. | SPEAKER: MICHAEL SMITH | REGISTER

Teaches how dementia affects communication, including tips for communicating well with family, friends and health care professionals. This education series teaches caregivers how to navigate the responsibilities of caring for someone living with dementia. Topics include tips for understanding key aspects of caregiving, supporting independence, communicating effectively, responding to dementia-related behaviors and exploring care and support services.

 VIRTUAL PROGRAMS RESPONDING TO DEMENTIA-RELATED BEHAVIORS

OCT. 30 | NOON - 1 P.M. | SPEAKER: MICHAEL SMITH | REGISTER

Details common behavior changes and how they are a form of communication, non-medical approaches to behaviors and recognizing when additional help is needed.

EXPLORING CARE AND SUPPORT SERVICES NOV. 6 | NOON - 1 P.M. | SPEAKER: MICHAEL SMITH |

Examines how best to prepare for future care decisions and changes, including respite care, residential.

Register to receive login instructions by calling  800.272.3900 

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Coping with Change Thursdays from 10:30 am to 11:30 am

Yasaman Alavi, LCPC a therapist from Affiliated Sante Group, leads a support group to help participants overcome challenges of aging. For questions, call 301-332-0462. 

Max You - Maximize the Quality-of-Life Tuesdays from 10:30 am to 11:25 am

Edie K. Mahlman, LCSW-C, facilitates a drop-in support group that confronts the challenges and options inherent in the process of aging.

Holiday Park Senior Center, 3950 Ferrara Drive, Silver Spring Phone:  240-777-4999

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Darnestown Presbyterian Church is offering a free Caregivers Camp for family and/or spousal caregivers of people living with cognitive decline in October 2024. SAVE THE DATES:

Are you caring for an older relative or spouse who is living with cognitive decline such as Alzheimer's disease or a similar diagnosis?  Families are the major providers of long-term care which can enact an emotional, physical and financial toll on caregivers.

Join us for a FREE five-week, educational resource program.  The course is offered in-person and online.  Sessions will feature legal, financial or medical professionals.  A new topic will be discussed each week, in addition to Q&A with experts in the field.

When:  EVERY Tuesday in October (Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29) from 10:30am to 12pm.

Where:  Darnestown Presbyterian Church  15120 Turkey Foot Road, Darnestown MD.

Register at Church@darnestownpc.org or call 301-948-9127

More Caregiving Support Groups

Rockville Support Group | 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. | Carole Ashendorf csa9606@gmail.com, 281.216.0940 | RSVP Required. Contact the facilitator.

Holy Cross Resource Center | (Several groups for adult children and Caregiver Spouses) |Please contact Chaplain Pam at Chaplain Pamlutricia.Greenleaf@holycrosshealth.org

Leisure World on Georgia Avenue |2nd and 4th Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. | Sandy Levy smlevy54@gmail.com , 781.595.8732, Nina Helwig, ninahelwig5@gmail.com | RSVP Required. Contact the facilitator

Café Latino (Spanish language) | 2nd Saturday at 10:00 am | Diana Backlund and Sarah Rodriguez, alz.cafelatinova@gmail.com | RSVP Required.

Iona Senior Services Contact the facilitators. Second and Fourth Wed at 6pm - for Adult Children who are caregivers -- Bill Ampt -- bamt@iona.org

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Sandwich Generation Support Groups- contact Group Leader for details:

1. Sandwich Generation Fourth Wednesday 8pm Andrea Friedman -- ajfrie@gmail.com
2. Sandwich Gen| 4th Thursday at 8pm | Linda Weitzman lcweitzman@gmail.com | Megna                                                                        Guggari mvguggari@gmail.com |

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Montgomery County, Maryland volunteers have been certified as - Montgomery County Dementia Friendly America Speakers Bureau Presenters.

Schedule an Information Session TODAY!

By 2025, the number of people aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is estimated to reach 7.1 million. These numbers represent family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, clients and customers. www.dfamerica.org

We offer FREE 45-60 minute* information sessions that help you to recognize the signs of dementia and provide tips on the ways to communicate with someone living with dementia.

*(We are happy to make time modifications due to staff/participants availability.)

Objectives:

• Learn about Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.
• Recognize the signs of dementia.
• Discover tips for communicating and interacting with a person who has dementia.
• Establish tips for creating a dementia-friendly physical space.

By offering this information session to your staff and/or your community you will help heighten awareness of dementia and be equipped to respond warmly and effectively when serving people living with dementia and their families.

To Schedule an Information Session with the Montgomery County Maryland’s Dementia Friendly Initiative:

Contact: Ruth Kershner, Caregiver Support Program Manager, Dementia Friendly Champion

Email: ruth.kershner@montgomerycountymd.gov

Phone: 240-962-1151

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We invite you to join us for:

Beacon’s 25th Annual 50+Expo in October

The Beacon newspaper is pleased to announce its 25th year hosting in-person 50+Expos in the DMV area. These free annual events attract thousands of older adults and their families, offering a wide range of valuable resources, informative speakers, health screenings, volunteer opportunities and entertaining activities.

Event Details:

Where: Silver Spring Civic Building, Silver Spring, Maryland

Date: Sunday, October 20, 2024

Time: Noon to 4 p.m.

Highlight: Enjoy a captivating “Keynote Conversation” between The Beacon's publisher and popular writer Laura Stassi, author of Romance Redux; Finding Love in Your Later Years and host of the “Dating While Gray” podcast.

Attendees can explore dozens of exhibitors from government agencies, nonprofits and local businesses offering information on housing options, home remodeling, home care, financial planning, insurance, healthcare, fitness, travel, senior resources and more. Parking is free at both locations.

There will also be a travel presentation from Collette Tours, showcasing special trips to Hawaii and Iceland tailored for Beacon readers.

Health and Wellness: Prioritizing the health and well-being of attendees, the Expos will offer free health screenings, including blood pressure, glaucoma, blood glucose and cholesterol tests. Important vaccines will also be available, including the latest COVID-19 and RSV vaccines, regular and high-dose flu shots, Shingrix (shingles), pneumonia and tetanus vaccines. Please bring your Medicare and/or insurance card, if applicable.

We hope to see you there!

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The George Washington University's:

Center for Aging, Health and Humanities is hosting the fourth annual 

Age-Friendly Ecosystem Summit (FREE and Virtual)

 Register at the Center for Aging Website:

Virtual Event: Center for Aging, Health and Humanities | School of Nursing | The George Washington University (gwu.edu)

Age-Friendly Ecosystem Summit:

October 8th- 1pm to 3pm- Shaping Tomorrow: Longevity, Age-Friendly and Multisector Planning

October 9^th- 1pm to 3pm- Inclusive by Design: Strategies for Age-Friendly and Dementia-Friendly Businesses

October 15^th- 1pm to 3pm- Unlocking Potential: Lifelong Learning for a Thriving Societ

October 16^th- 1pm to 3pm- Health Communities and Healthier Aging: Collaborative Solutions

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Smile for this month: 

"Sweet dreams are made of Cheese; Who am I to Dis A Brie?"

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Kesher Cafe will meet next on  October 13^th between 1-3pm at JCA

We will welcome pianist and vocalist, Sharon Shi

Kesher Cafe began in December 2023 to serve adults living at home with Young Onset Dementia (YOD)--diagnosis before age 65-- and their care partners. We gather once a month on Sundays. Please RSVP to Colleen Kemp ckemp@accessjca.org   We will be sending periodic updates about our expansion of Kesher Cafe sessions on Wednesdays beginning in December 2024. Stay tuned!   We also have a new webpage!

https://accessjca.org/kesher-cafe-for-young-onset-dementia/

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Here are 10 helpful hints to support senior adult caregivers during the holiday season:

1. Set Realistic Expectations: Be clear with family and friends about what you can realistically participate in, given your caregiving responsibilities.
2. Plan Ahead: Create a schedule for caregiving duties and holiday events. Prioritize tasks and consider delegating some responsibilities to family or professional help.
3. Take Breaks: Holidays can be overwhelming. Ensure you schedule time for yourself to rest and recharge, even if it’s just a quiet moment during the day.
4. Include Your Loved One: Adapt holiday activities to include the senior in your care, keeping their abilities and preferences in mind. Small things like music, light decorating, or sharing stories can create joy.
5. Stay Connected: Don’t isolate yourself. Reach out to friends, support groups, or online communities for advice, encouragement, or just a friendly chat.
6. Ask for Help: Don’t hesitate to ask for help from family, friends, or professional respite services to give you a break during the busy season.
7. Maintain Healthy Routines: Try to stick to regular routines, including meals and rest, for both you and the senior in your care. This can provide comfort and stability amidst the holiday chaos.
8. Mind Emotional Health: Caregiving during the holidays can stir up emotions like guilt or grief. Recognize these feelings, and consider talking to a counselor or therapist if needed.
9. Stay Flexible: Accept that things may not go as planned. Being flexible allows you to enjoy the moment, even if the holiday looks different than usual.
10. Simplify Traditions: Focus on meaningful, smaller-scale traditions that are manageable for you and your loved ones. This reduces stress while keeping the holiday spirit alive.

These tips can help maintain balance and make the holiday season more enjoyable for caregivers and their loved ones.

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For More Information about Montgomery County programs:🌞

For general information about County programs and services, call 3-1-1. Sign up for the County's Alert Montgomery notification system at alert.montgomerycountymd.gov to receive emergency alerts regarding weather and other emergency information.

For help with caregiving referrals and services call: 240-777-3000.

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