Montgomery County Support Group Programs

Alzheimer’s Association- call 240-844-3608 or lbbyer@alz.org

Peer-led groups for caregivers. All support groups are facilitated by trained volunteers. If you are considering attending a support group note that groups may meet over the phone, virtually or in-person. Please contact the facilitator listed to verify meeting information and receive meeting instructions.

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Kensington Park, in partnership with Seabury, is offering two support groups that will be facilitated in person or virtually by Leslie Mason, LICSW, LCSW-C, Clinical Manager of Seabury Care Management. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, lean in for support, and draw comfort from others who know how it feels to be a caregiver for the people they care about.

A Virtual Support Group for Caregivers is offered the 2nd Monday of each month from 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM. The next session will be offered July 8th.

An In-Person Support Group for Spousal Caregivers is offered the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM at Kensington Park. The next session will be July 17th.

In either the virtual and in-person session, join us to share time connecting with other caregivers and discussing common challenges in a welcoming, private setting. Both sessions are open to anyone in the community and are free of charge.

To join either the in-person or the virtual group, please email Leslie Mason at LMason@SeaburyResources.org.

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The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Caregiver Support Program (CSP) 💜

offers clinical services to caregivers of eligible and covered Veterans enrolled in the VA health care system. The program’s mission is to promote the health and well-being of family caregivers who care for our Nation’s Veterans, through education, resources, support, and services. There is a CSP team CSP Team Locator located at every Veteran’s facility.

   Mental Health Help for Veterans ☎__

Veterans and current military members can dial 988 on any telephone and then press one to be contacted to responders trained in crisis intervention and military culture.

The current number, 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, will remain active. The Veterans Crisis Line is also available by chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat and text 838255. 

Anyone can dial 988 and Press 1, if they’re worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

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Holiday Park Offers Support Through Two Free Groups 💓

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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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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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

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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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Don’t Know Where to Turn with Tech Questions? Call the Senior Planet Tech Hotline at 888-713-3495

Senior Planet offers free tech support Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. 💻

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Did you know that Montgomery County has Minority Health Initiatives? Read Below:👨🏾‍🤝‍👨🏼

The County has three minority health programs focused on the well-being of cultural- and language-diverse communities.

The African American Health Program, the Latino and the Asian American Health Initiatives are excellent resources for caregivers. Each organizes health education activities in community locations, with language assistance.

1. African American Health Program 240-777-1833 AAHPmontgomerycounty.org
2. Asian American Health Initiative 240-777-4517 AAHIinfo.org
3. Latino Health Initiative 240-777-3221 LHIinfo.org

REACH OUT AND CONNECT with the County’s Health Programs.

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       For More Information about Health Insurance: 🤷‍♂️

Montgomery County SHIP presents Understanding Your Medicare Choices   

Join SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) for free monthly Medicare seminars at County libraries. The Montgomery County SHIP Director will present expert, unbiased information about what you need to know before enrolling in Medicare. You will learn what coverage you need, how enrollment periods work, and how to avoid penalties.   

For information, visit: https://medicareabcd.org/events/list/  Montgomery County SHIP is a federally funded program that provides Medicare counseling and information by certified counselors to new and current Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers. 

SHIP can be contacted by phone at 301-255-4250 or email: SHIP@AccessJCA.org;

Website:  www.MedicareABCD.org 

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We invite you to celebrate Montgomery County’s Annual:

Active Aging Week – September 30-October 6, 2024

Active Aging Week (AAW) is an international week-long campaign that celebrates the positivity of aging and active living. Montgomery County has been an AAW participant since 2018.

Senior centers, recreation centers, hospitals, libraries, agencies and community organizations throughout the County already host a variety of special events and programs that showcase opportunities for growing, learning, having fun and staying fit as we age.

The signature event “Go, Grow & Get Active” will take place on:

DATE: Monday, September 30

WHERE:  Nancy H. Dacek North Potomac Community Recreation Center

13850 Travilah Road, Rockville, MD

240-773-4802

 TIME: 9-1pm.

We hope to see you there!

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Smile for this month: Inspired by the Paris Olympics

Where does fruit go on vacation? Pear-is!

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50+ Television- TUNE IN: 🟥

Katie Smith leads the show to share news and information of interest to older adults in Montgomery County.

Program airs at the following times: Sun - (7:30 pm, 9:00 pm, 10:30 pm) | Mon - (11:30 pm) | Tues - (1:00 am, 11:30 pm) | Wed - (9:45 am) | Thurs - (1:30 am, 2:30 am) | Fri - (9:15 am, 10:30 am) | Sat - (11:30 am, 1:00 pm)

Where to Watch:  Comcast channel 6, 996 (HD), RCN channel 6, 1056 (HD), Verizon channel 30; or On-Demand at the County's website by clicking here. 

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Signs of Heat Exposure😎

Knowing the signs of heat exposure can prevent a life-threatening situation. Should any of the following occur, get out of the heat, loosen any tight or heavy clothing and drink plenty of water:

• Heat cramps: symptoms include painful muscle spasms, usually involving the abdominal muscles or legs;
• Heat exhaustion: first signs are cool, moist, pale or flushed skin, dizziness, nausea, headache and weakness; 
• Heat stroke: the most serious sign of overexposure. Symptoms include red, hot, dry skin, weak pulse, rapid breathing and changes in consciousness.
• Seek medical attention by calling 9-1-1.

• For More Information:🌞

  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.

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