For help with caregiving referrals and services call: 240-777-3000.
Montgomery County Support Group Programs
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.
*************************************************************************** Holiday Park Offers Free Support 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 provides a Spanish Speaking Support Group:
Superando los Cambios: Grupo de Apoyo Emocional
Revisaremos las características de las relaciones sanas y cómo mantenerlas. Vengan y conozcan a nuestro terapista de Santé Group José Hernández.
Todos los Martes : 11-11:50 am- Gratis
Holiday Park Senior Center, 3950 Ferrara Drive, Silver Spring Phone: 240-777-4999
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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: Sarah McKechnie: Email: mckecs@holycrosshealth.org
Leisure World on Georgia Avenue |1st and 3rd 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
Wintergrowth Adult Day Care- in-person support group
Days: Last Wednesday of each month
Time: 6pm - 7pm
Location: Winter Growth | 18110 Prince Philip Dr. - Olney, MD 20832
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Sandwich Generation Support Groups- contact Group Leader for details:
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Sandwich Generation Fourth Wednesday 8pm Andrea Friedman -- ajfrie@gmail.com
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Sandwich Gen| 4th Thursday at 8pm | Linda Weitzman lcweitzman@gmail.com | Megna Guggari mvguggari@gmail.com
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Griswold Home Care for Chevy Chase and Sunrise Brighton Gardens are offering a new support group.
This Friendship Heights Neighbors Network will offer educational tools, resources and community support to all in Friendship Heights.
Contact Evan Smith for more information at: information.fhnn@gmail.com
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The Kensington Bethesda in partnership with Corewood Care is beginning an
In-person Caregiver Support Group in 2025!
Join facilitator Pamela Mills of Corewood Care
Second Wednesday of every Month
Day: Wednesday, January 8
Time: 5:30pm to 6:30pm
Location: The Kensington Bethesda Welcome and Information Center
5272 River Road, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD 20816
RSVP: Brooke Orcino, Dir. Of Community Parnerships at:
BOrcino@KensingtonSL.com
Contact: 301-641-3253
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HOLY CROSS HEALTH 2025 VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUP WORKSHOPS
TO REGISTER, CALL 301-754-8800
- Support Problem Solving Nutrition Treatment Decisions Virtual Cancer: Thriving and Surviving Workshop Join this FREE virtual six-week workshop that will give you the tools and real-life skills to build confidence around managing health, staying active, and enjoying life while living with a cancer diagnosis. This evidence-based workshop is here to help participants share their successes and build a common source of support. Participants receive a copy of “Living A Healthy Life With Chronic Conditions,” 5th edition which follows the curriculum and provides additional ways to address specific issues.
The workshop is delivered online via Teams and participants may join with a computer and webcam, or by phone.
Day/Dates Time Virtual Register by Tuesdays: 1/14/25—2/18/25 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm Teams 1/10/25
- Virtual Powerful Tools for Caregivers Workshop This FREE six-week online workshop gives you the tools to better care for your loved one and yourself. There is an additional session included that provides in-depth information about understanding dementia, conditions that impact aging, and available resources. Participants receive “The Caregiver Helpbook”, which follows the curriculum and provides additional ways to address specific caregiver issues. The workshop is delivered online via Microsoft Teams and participants may join with a computer and webcam, or by phone.
Day/Dates Time Virtual Register by Thursdays: 1/16/25—2/20/25 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm Teams 1/14/25
To register for classes, call (301) 754-8800 or visit Holy Cross Health | Support Group. Virtual classes are delivered online via Microsoft Teams.
For questions, please call the program coordinator at 301-557-1231.
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ADULT DAY CARE PROGRAMS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY: 🌞
JCA Kensington Clubs- call for information- 301-255-4204
Chinese Adult Day Care (CCACC)- call for information- 301-820-7167
Wintergrowth Adult Care- call for information- 301-774-7501
Ingleside Engaged: Call for information: 240-499-9024
Holy Cross Medical Adult Day Care Call for information- 301-754-7150
Easter Seals Adult Day Service Call for information- 301-588-8704
Rainbow Adult Day Call for information- 301-987-8889
Loving Care Adult Medical Day Care- 240-477-6199
For additional Adult Day Care program information call: 240-777-3000 or go to:
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/publish?EQBCT=08adff96ac8c4d18a97bf909162a2250
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Veterans: Contact for Help:
Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families
David Skisano, Veterans Benefits Specialist II (VBS) Email: davidj.skisano@maryland.gov
Christina Williams, Veterans Benefits Specialist II (VBS) Email: christina.williams1@maryland.gov
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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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You Tube Episode with Ruth Kershner: 👧
Katie Smith hosts 50+ in Montgomery County. On this month’s 50+ In Montgomery County program, we talked with Ruth Kershner, Program Manager for the National Family Caregiver Support Program.
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After the Holiday Diet Tips:
- If no one sees you eat it, it has no calories.
- If you drink a diet soda with a candy bar, they cancel each other out.
- When eating with someone else, calories don’t count if you both eat the same amount.
- Foods used for medicinal purposes have no calories. This includes any chocolate used for energy, brandy, Sara Lee Cheesecake (eaten whole), and Haagen-Daz Ice cream.
- Movie-related foods are much lower in calories simply because they are a part of the entertainment experience and not part of one’s personal fuel. This includes Milk Duds, popcorn with butter, Junior Mints, Snickers and Gummi Bears.
- Cookie pieces contain no calories because the process of breakage causes leakage.
- If you eat the food off someone else’s plate, it doesn’t count.
- If you eat standing up the calories all go to your feet and get walked off.
- Food eaten at Holiday parties has no calories, courtesy of Santa/Hanukah fairy or any other make-believe custom you have.
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STRESSED is just DESSERTS spelled backward.
Enjoy this silliness and have a healthy and wonderful NEW YEAR! 😍
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Even though the formal gift giving season is over, you can still suggest items for friends and family members to get for your loved one who has cognitive decline, and to help you all year long.
Costume jewelry- it’s ok if it gets lost.
Socks- funny and feel soft- with protectors on the bottom for no-slip.
Puzzles
Companion cats and birds- on Amazon
Adult coloring books
Subscription to fruit company- or other places that send gifts monthly or throughout the year.
Nail polish and/or lip sticks.
Wrap gifts that are already in the house- open again as a surprise.
Music- musical gift cards, musical cd’s, musical movies to share.
Plastic golf clubs, balls and putting retriever, other games- crochet, balloon ball, on-line bowling, UNO, cards, etc.
Yummy smelling body and hand lotions.
Bird feeder, plants.
Gift of time- offer to go to the grocery store, pick up medicine, take to Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts, or drive to a park, or spend time with someone- give gift in the form of an IOU-“Will Do X, Y, and Z”.
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Seabury Resources for Aging Presents:
Michelle McGrath, LCSW-C talk: Managing Emotional and Mental Well-Being
This seminar will discuss ways to maintain a state of well-being even as life throws us some unexpected situations. The talk will help you become a successful and healthy caregiver.
Date: Wednesday, January 15
Time: 12noon to 1pm (virtual)
Free Tickets: www.seaburyresources.org/events
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Kensington Clubs Art Show- A great way to start 2025! 👨🏽🤝👨🏼🎶✏🖍
Sunday, January 12th between 2 pm and 3:30 pm.
Location: 12320 Parklawn Dr., Rockville, MD 20852
The Kensington Clubs members will highlight beautiful art pieces from all three sites.
There will also be a pianist and refreshments for all visitors.
RSVP: kcreceptionist@accessjca.org
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SENIOR PLANET in Montgomery County- OLDER ADULTS TECHNOLOGY SERVICES: 💻
Senior Planet helps seniors learn new computer skills, save money, get in shape and make new friends. Senior Planet’s courses, programs, and activities are changing the lives of older adults far beyond technology.
Senior Planet offers FREE virtual and FREE in-person programs.
Montgomery County contact hours are 10am to 5pm Monday through Saturday
Call- (240-753-0676) ☎
Classes include Chrome Essentials-use your laptop, Commuter Essentials- using Windows PC, Exploring Smartphone Apps and many other topics.
Senior Planet offers free virtual 1-1 technology tutoring sessions! Sign up online to receive personalized help with your technology-related questions from Senior Planet volunteers. These sessions take place over Zoom.
https://seniorplanet.org/locations/montgomery-county/
If you need assistance booking an appointment, or don’t see your tech topic listed, please call the Senior Planet Hotline at 888-713-3495. Hotline hours are Monday-Friday- 9 am to 8pm and Saturday- 9am to 2 pm. 📞
Or call the Senior Planet in Montgomery County Hotline: 240-753-0676
Montgomery County contact hours are 10am to 5pm Monday through Saturday (240-753-0676)
Impress your kids and grandkids with your new computer savvy skills! Sign up now.
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Anyone residing in Maryland can connect with Marylanders Online, a free statewide digital literacy project providing computer help, digital tools, and technology support through virtual, one-on-one sessions with Digital Navigators. 💻
UME Tech educators are also available to assist residents with developing their computer skills, finding available resources, or applying for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federally funded program providing reduced-rate internet to individuals with low income.
This new digital literacy resource is intended to close the digital divide experienced by Maryland residents. This program is part of a University of Maryland Extension (UME) initiative in partnership with the College of Information (INFO) working to promote digital literacy, equity and inclusion. Please call or go online to connect with this program.
Get Connected with Marylanders Online
You’ll learn how to: Connect to the internet, use technology devices, find affordable internet options near you, search online for local resources likes classes, jobs, and healthcare providers, and more.
Let’s Connect: Monday through Friday from 10 am- 8 pm, Saturday 10 am to 5 pm.
Call: 1-866-206-8467
Website: marylandersonline@umd.edu
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See Me at the Smithsonian (See Me) is a free, virtual interactive program for adults with dementia and their care partners. During each event, pre-registered participants (12-15 people) explore some of the Smithsonian’s most beloved objects through small group discussions and multi-sensory activities. See Me programs provide intellectual engagement, socialization, and an opportunity for loved ones to spend time together in a relaxed setting. Programs rotate between Smithsonian museums and are offered virtually via Zoom.
Our public programs are held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 2:00p.m. to 3:00p.m. EST on Zoom. Please email: access.si@edu for specific program dates and Zoom links.
Phone: 202-633-2921 (voice) Mailing Address: PO Box 37012 National Museum of American History, Room 1050, MRC 607 Washington, DC 20013
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EXCITING NEW YEAR NEWS:
Montgomery County Recreation’s RecFit passes will continue to be free for County residents in 2025. The free RecFit pass provides access to fully equipped fitness rooms, open gym (drop-in) activities and game rooms at any community recreation center during regularly scheduled hours. Current RecFit passes will be extended through June 30, 2025. During the first six months of 2025, residents will be able to renew their pass for a full year by visiting the front desk at any center. Proof of residency will need to be confirmed. With a valid pass residents can work out with equipment in the fitness rooms, as well as enjoy table tennis in the game rooms, drop-in pickleball, volleyball, basketball and more. Residents can sign up for the pass in-person at any County community recreation center during regular business hours. The pass can then be used at any of the County’s recreation centers. Proof of residency (a valid photo ID with an address or a photo ID with a current utility bill) must be provided by County residents to receive the free pass, and for annual renewal. Passholders must also have a photo on file. Non-County residents can purchase a pass at a price of $20 for one month, $80 for six months and $150 for one year. Visit the website for more information.
The free RecFit pass does not include access to Recreation’s aquatic centers
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Office of Consumer Protection (OCP)
Tips from OCP – 4 signs it’s a scam
- Scammers PRETEND to be from an organization you know.
- Scammers say there’s a PROBLEM or a PRIZE.
- Scammers PRESSURE you to act immediately.
- Scammers tell you to PAY in a specific way.
If you’ve been the victim of a scam or need more information:
Contact OCP at 240-777-0311.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of a scam or financial abuse:
Contact Adult Protective Services at 240-777-300
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FOR TRANSLATION HELP: Contact the Montgomery County Patient Navigator Program:
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance in accessing a Montgomery County health service, contact the Patient Navigator Program today. Information specialists are available to assist callers in Chinese, Dari, Hindi, Korean, Vietnamese, other Asian languages, and English.
(301) 760 – 4991– Chinese Navigation
(301) 760 – 4992– Vietnamese Navigation
(301) 760 – 4571– Hindi Navigation
(301) 760 – 7058– Korean Navigation
(240) 396 – 2191– Dari Navigation
(301) 760 – 7051 – For other languages press 0 to speak with the operator.
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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Montgomery County Website now has all the Caregiving E-Newsletters!
Start at MontgomeryCountymd.gov
In the Search Tool- Put Caregiving- that sends you to the page below:
Caregiving Support
Every day as a caregiver you experience joys and challenges. All caregivers benefit through: practical guidance, emotional support and as needed: connection with skilled providers. In Montgomery County there are helpful supports available through government, non-profit organizations and private businesses.
Caregiver support is a vital part of our community.
On this page
Click on the last line-Newsletters and Blogs-it takes you to this next page:
Newsletters and Blogs
Click on the second line- View all caregiving Support Program Newsletters then you will see all the previously published Caregivers e-newsletters.
2024
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Updated Dementia Tool Simplifies Brain-Related Health Care Screenings
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The Maryland Department of Aging has updated an Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia screening tool for individuals concerned about their memory or cognitive health and trained 150 counselors at Maryland Access Point (MAP) sites across the state on how to administer the revised tool. Known as AD8, the evidence-based screening tool is easy to use and can be self-administered or given by family members, loved ones, health care providers, or caregivers.
“It is our hope that the use of this free resource will become a normal part of health screenings, just like an eye exam or blood pressure check,” said Mark Tesoro, Maryland Department of Aging Behavioral Health Specialist. “It’s time to break the stigma around dementia and make brain health a priority.”
Tesoro notes that a variety of issues can mimic dementia, such as hearing and vision loss, poor attention and concentration, vitamin deficiencies (B12), ingestion of toxins, and other medical and environmental influences which is why identifying cognitive concerns early and following up with your physician is so important.
AD8 (Ascertain Dementia 8) asks users eight brief questions related to memory, orientation, judgement, and function to help identify signs of dementia or mild impairment. Available in multiple languages, the tool can detect early cognitive changes associated with several brain-related illnesses, including Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and Lewy body dementia. When someone answers yes to two or more of the questions, further evaluation is suggested.
The updated AD8 tool was introduced as part of long-term care and dementia care legislation passed in 2023 that required better dementia screening opportunities for individuals concerned with memory function. The AD8 is a first-step screening tool, not a full diagnostic test. Following up with a primary care physician or specialist is recommended.
For assistance using this screening tool, call MAP at 1-844-MAP-LINK (1-844-627-5465). You can also access the tool online at https://marylandaccesspoint.211md.org/explore-my-options/alzheimers-disease-related-dementia/assessment/.
MAP is Maryland’s No Wrong Door Aging and Disability Resource Center, where Marylanders can seek information on long-term community supports and services. Maryland’s 20 local MAP sites aim to assist consumers in navigating the complex system of services through individual, person-centered counseling.
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For More Information:
Contact: Colleen Doyle
colleen.doyle@maryland.gov
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Montgomery County - Department of Health and Human Services - Aging and Disability Services - Caregiver Program (montgomerycountymd.gov)
Contact Montgomery County and ask for Caregiver services. We are here to help you-
Call 240-777-3000
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