Jan/Feb 2008 - the Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer`s Resource Center

The Hope Connection
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ALVIN A. DUBIN ALZHEIMER’S RESOURCE CENTER
Where there’s hope...
January/February 2008
Lending a Helping Hand to Caregivers
Hundreds of thousands of our
friends, family, and neighbors throughout our nation wake up each day to the
challenges of caregiving. In addition to
their usual duties and roles, they have
each taken on the responsibility of
caring for a chronically or terminally ill
family member.
So often, caregivers humbly go
about their day without giving others
any inkling that they are challenged
each day to find creative ways to
balance their responsibilities. In many
cases, adult children work long days at
their place of employment only to start
a second shift of caregiving when they
arrive home. In addition, many of these
middle-aged adults are raising their
children while working and caring for
an aging parent.
Likewise, many elderly spouses who
looked forward to their golden years
find themselves focused on caring for
their ailing spouse instead of planning
their next vacation. They do so with
such grace that it may look like an easy
task to the rest of the family.
Through it all, caregivers carry on
and continue to provide loving care to
their family members who are
dependent on them. They are often not
likely to complain or ask for help until
their stress level has escalated to a
frightening point.
As friends and family members of
these caregivers, it is important for us
to pay close attention to how
they are managing their caregiver
responsibilities in order to offer help
and support before a crisis arises.
Without overstepping our bounds, there
are many ways we can reach out and
help caregivers.
Simply checking on them either by
visiting their home or calling on the
phone is a great way to offer a lifeline
to the caregiver. By maintaining
regular contact, you will more likely
notice signs of increased stress in the
caregiver before it gets to the point of
burn-out. For example, if the person
seems more tired than usual or more
negative in their attitude about life in
general or circumstances they are
facing, this is an opportunity for you to
offer support.
Arrange for another friend or family
member to spend an afternoon with the
caregiver's loved one so that you can
take the caregiver out for lunch. This
allows a great opportunity for the caregiver to have a much-needed break, and
it opens the door for her to share her
feelings and frustrations with a trusted
friend.
Being a trusted friend means giving
the caregiver the chance to vent those
concerns without judgment on your
part. One of the best things you can do
is listen and offer praise and encouragement for the hard work she does in her
caregiving role.
Being a trusted friend also means
that, if possible, you will help her find
the resources and assistance she needs
in a manner that does not seem bossy.
Offering information about resources
in the community is important.
Remembering that ultimately the steps
she takes in accessing those resources
must be her choice and on her own
terms is essential.
For help with caregiving concerns,
contact the Dubin Alzheimer's
Resource Center at 437-3007.
Featured in this issue..........
In The Resource Room......................................................................……
Dementia in Asian Elders.....................… ...........................................…
Support Group Information ...............................................................…
Project Spotlight .......................................................…..........................…
Caregivers’ Corner ............................................................…..................…
Questions and Answers....................................................................……
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Volume 13, Issue 1
Mark Your Calendar
for our
Tenth Annual
A Light To
Remember Tribute
Ceremony
Sponsored by
Fox Electronics
January 24, 2008
5:30 p.m.
Centennial Park
Ft. Myers
To purchase a luminary in
celebration of your
loved one, please call
(239) 437-3007.
We encourage families to send a
color copy photo, poem, or other
special memory of your loved one.
Our display will include a collage
of these personal memories.
Please send copies - each year
our display contains photos from
previous years.
Please do not
send originals that you want to
keep.
The Hope Connection
In the Resource Room
From the Director’s Desk ...
Board of Trustees
Peg Gray-Vickrey, President
Florida Gulf Coast University
Lou Pontius, Vice President
Community Volunteer
Britton Goodlad Swank, Treasurer
Osterhout & McKinney
Archie B. Hayward, Jr, Secretary
Attorney
Kathy Shimp, Past President
Community Volunteer
John Belisle
Oswald Trippe and Company
Stan Grigiski
Medical Claim Service
Jill Jamieson
Fallback Productions
Keith Kyle
Circuit Court Judge
Jim Nolte
A.G. Edwards
Al O’Donnell
O’Donnell Landscapes
Steve Personette
Embarq
Frederick Schaerf, MD, PhD
Advisory Board Chair
Neuropsychiatric Research Center
Lynn Schneider
Shell Point
Jamie Seneca
G.E. Medical
Nancy Zant
HealthPark Care Center
Advisory Board
Norma Hand Brill
Elder Law Attorney
Vicky Kolody
Law Office of Stephen Kolody
Jim McLaughlin
Photography by Jim McLaughlin
Pam Pence
Arden Courts
Carmen Perez, PhD, MSW
Florida Gulf Coast University
Karen Pratt
Alterra Clare Bridge
Shirley Ruder, RN, MS, MSN, EdD
Florida Gulf Coast University
Michael Skaggs
Advisory Board Vice Chair
Heartland Health Care Center
John Thorp
SeniorBridge
How We Die: Reflections on Life’s
Final Chapter by Sherwin B. Nuland.
This book is meant to present dying
“in its biological and clinical reality,
as seen by those who are witness to it
and felt by those who experience it.”
Sherwin describes the six most
common death-causing diseases;
Alzheimer’s being one of them. He
draws upon his own experiences with
death, not only from a doctor’s view
but also from a personal point of
view. This book is a good resource
for anyone dealing with the grief of
losing a loved one or having a loved
one in the later stages of
Alzheimer’s.
Living with Grief: Alzheimer’s
Disease by Hospice Foundation of
America and Edited by Kenneth J.
Doka. This book discusses what is
known about Alzheimer’s disease
from a medical and a personal stand
point. There are 4 parts to this
book: Alzheimer’s and Other
Dementias; Personal Perspectives on
Alzheimer’s; Helping Patients and
Caregivers Adapt; and Facing the
Future. The book goes into the
journeys of caregivers, the grief
surrounding
the
disease,
the
challenges of end-of-life care, as well
as much more. This book would be
great for anyone facing the
challenges of caring for an
individual with memory impairment.
Dotty St. Amand, Executive Director
We are honored to serve individuals
with memory impairment and their
caregivers throughout our community.
Our staff is dedicated to providing the
best quality programs to meet the needs
of caregivers with respect to unique
situations and varying circumstances
during the course of Alzheimer’s disease
and other dementias. Our social workers
are always available to offer a listening
ear and help families receive muchneeded assistance. We invite you to call
upon Chris Pierce or Katie Roosevelt, or
share our information with friends or
neighbors who may be in need.
As we plan educational programs for
caregivers and enhance our trainings for
professionals, we invite you to take
advantage of the wealth of knowledge
offered by staff and guest speakers at our
programs. Likewise, we encourage you
to call upon our health educator Elise
Eifert if you are interested in a
presentation on Maximizing Your
Memory or other topics regarding
memory impairment and caregiving.
We look forward to seeing you at our
A Light To Remember ceremony on
January 24th. This tribute ceremony is a
special time for us to honor the many
individuals who are impacted by
dementia as well as those who fought the
battle so courageously at the end of life.
Emeriti Board
Bill Beckwith, PhD
Memory Management
Bill Enslen
Hope Hospice and Community Services
Patricia Hessel
Retired Certified Public Accountant
Douglas Newland, MD
Neurologist
Julie Osterhout
Osterhout & McKinney
Nancy Silvers, RN C
Retired Registered Nurse
The Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center, Inc. is a non-profit organization. The Hope
Connection is a bi-monthly newsletter published by the Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center,
Inc., 10051 McGregor Blvd. Ste. 101, Ft. Myers, FL 33919. Advertisements that appear in this
newsletter are paid advertisements, not endorsements by the Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center.
Page 2
Mystery Spoof Raises Funds
for Scholarship Program
On February 26, 2008, Encore
Senior Village and Gulf Coast Village
will host Lunch Theater Mystery Spoof
by Nathan Hartswich to benefit the
teen scholarship fund established
throug h the Alvin A. Dubin
Alzheimer’s Resource Center.
The lunch mystery will be
performed by the Mariner High School
Drama Department.
The event will offer a great time
with mystery, a chance to play
detective, and fun with friends and
colleagues. Lunch will be provided by
Gulf Coast Village. Fabulous prizes
will be awarded to individuals who
solve the mystery.
The event will be held at Gulf Coast
Village, 1333 Santa Barbara
Boulevard, Cape Coral from noon 1:30 p.m.
Reservations can be made by
calling (239) 437-3007. Admission is
$25 per person or $15 each for a party
of four or more. Admission includes
participation in the mystery spoof and
lunch.
Encore Senior Village and
Gulf Coast Village’s sponsorship
allows 100% of admission contributions to benefit the teen scholarship
program.
The Hope Connection
January/February 2008
The
Dubin
Alzheimer's Resource
Center and Encore
Senior
Village
collaborate each year
to offer a teen scholarship program for
high school seniors.
Scholarships can be
used for collegeFebruary 26, 2008
related
expenses.
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Proceeds from this
event will benefit the teen scholarship
program.
Fantastic prizes will be given to
The scholarship application, participants who solve the mystery!
available on the center’s web site
www.alzheimersswfl.org, requires that
RSVP by February 21st
the teen write an essay regarding his/
by calling (239) 437-3007
her experience with a family member
or friend with Alzheimer’s disease.
The essay should include the teen’s
personal account of his/her involvement in helping a person with memory
impairment like Alzheimer’s disease.
Scholarships will be awarded in
May of 2008.
(Read about one of the first
scholarship recipients, Adrian Taylor,
2004 scholarship recipient Adrian Taylor
on page 7 of this newsletter.)
at the art reception with her mom
Emily Reese and Dotty St. Amand
Page 3
The Hope Connection
January/February 2008
Madness, Demons, or ‘Loss of Soul’:
Dementia in Asian Elders
The following is an article reprinted most common cause of dementia is
from New America Media - http:// Alzheimer’s disease. Because of the
cultural differences in the three groups,
news.newamericamedia.org
health education programs need to be
New America Media, News Report, tailored differently, said researchers.
Researcher Linda A. Gerdner of the
Viji Sundaram, Posted: Nov 29, 2007
Editor’s Note: The Hmong view it as a University of Minnesota School of
“loss of soul,” Chinese call it a form of Nursing said that Hmong viewed
madness, and Vietnamese believe it is a dementia as a “soul loss.” Family caresign of possession by spirits or demons. givers generally sought treatment by a
Dementia in Asian elders must be shaman, or traditional healer, to satisfy
treated in the context of their cultural the spiritual needs of the elder.
Gerdner lamented that dementia and
beliefs, researchers say. Viji Sundaram is the health editor for New family caregiving in the Hmong
community have not been on the radar
America Media.
of most American researchers, despite
SAN FRANCISCO -- When elderly the great contributions of the Hmong
Hmong, Chinese or Vietnamese people people to the United States during the
become demented or chronically Vietnam War. Most of the older
confused, family members attribute the Hmong people living in the United
condition to a normal part of the aging States today came as refugees in the
process, something they would have to 1970s.
Gerdner’s own research shows that
live with. Admission to a long-term
care facility is unthinkable because of Hmong elders generally lived in
multi-generational
homes,
where
the shame it would bring the family.
This was the observation made by grandchildren often feel anxious and
researchers who have worked with the fearful about communicating with
three immigrant populations in the demented elders. This increases the
United States. They shared their stress in the household.
To overcome this, Gerdner recently
findings at the Nov. 19 symposium on
“Working with Asian American co-authored an illustrated storybook
Families in the Context of Dementia.” for children that she hopes will serve as
The event was one of several dozen a “teaching tool” for them and their
symposia held at the Hilton San family members. The book, titled,
Francisco during the three-day 60th “Grandfather’s Story Cloth” is due out
Annual Scientific Meeting of The next March.
Weiling Liu, a researcher at the
Gerontological Society of America.
But there are also significant differ- Older Adult and Family Center,
University
School
of
ences in beliefs in the three ethnic Stanford
groups about the disease that affects in Medicine, and Jane Nha Uyen Tran, a
one form or another over 40 percent of researcher at the Older Adult and
people over the age of 85, but can Family Center at Stanford University
occur in people over the age of 55. The School of Medicine, shared their
research findings on the Chinese and
Vietnamese
elder
communities,
respectively.
Although the Chinese American
community often view dementia as a
form of madness, and many
Vietnamese Americans speak of the
disease in religious terms – the
demented are possessed by spirits or
demons – both communities generally
believe that the disease is a retribution
for past deeds.
In recent years, two in-home-based,
culturally
sensitive
intervention
programs for the Chinese community
have been started in California – the
Chinese Caregiver Project and the
Chinese
Caregiver
Assistance
Program. Other community-based
Chinese American organizations do
outreach to churches to educate the
congregation about the disease, including how to recognize dementia, Liu
said.
Family members of both Chinese
American and Vietnamese American
communities believe that because
elders are to be respected, they need to
be cared for no matter what the
difficulty is.
“The filial piety among those interviewed was very strong,” noted Tran.
“And they accept the sacrifice of time
and material resources.”
Said Liu: “There is a shame and
guilt attached with not caring for
family members.”
Page 4
The Hope Connection
January/February 2008
ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUPS OF LEE COUNTY
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL (239) 437-3007
E
as t
BONITA SPRINGS ***
10:30 AM
4th Monday of each month
Hope Lutheran Church
25999 Old 41
CAPE CORAL
2:00 PM
1st & 3rd Thursdays
Gulf Coast Village
1333 Santa Barbara Blvd.
FORT MYERS
ALVA
1:00 PM
2nd Thursday of each month
St. Vincent de Paul
13031 Palm Beach Blvd.
tral
Cen FORT MYERS
2nd Tuesday of each month
Senior Friendship Centers
3600 Evans Avenue
(Carroll Corners)
2:00 PM
tral
Cen FORT MYERS
2:30 PM
th
Sou
Sou
up
Gro
w
Ne
1st Monday of each month
Dunbar United Way House
3511-B Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. Blvd.
FORT MYERS **
9:45 AM
2nd & 4th Wednesdays
Westminster Presbyterian Church
9065 Ligon Court
FORT MYERS
10:00 AM
3rd Wednesday of each month
Congregational Church
8210 College Pkwy.
th
th
N or
NORTH FORT MYERS *
2:00 PM
4th Thursday of each month
Pine Lakes Country Club
3 1/2 miles north of the Shell
Factory on U.S. 41
PINE ISLAND
10:30 AM
1st Thursday of each month
Pine Island United Methodist
5701 Pine Island Rd., Bokeelia
LEHIGH
12:30 PM
3rd Monday of each month
The Community Health Assoc.
9 Beth Stacey Road
ADULT CHILDREN GROUP
6:15 PM
1st Tuesday of each month
Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center
10051 McGregor Blvd. Ste. 101
LONG TERM CARE ISSUES
1:30 PM
2nd Friday of each month
Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center
10051 McGregor Blvd. Ste. 101
FEATURED SPEAKERS:
FOR MONTH OF JANUARY
Don’t Let the Blues Get You Down
Speaker to be announced
Cape Coral - January 17th 2:00 p.m.
Westminster - January 23rd 9:45 a.m.
FOR MONTH OF FEBRUARY
Understanding Medications and
Treatments for Alzheimer’s
Speaker to be announced
Cape Coral - February 21st 2:00 p.m.
Westminster - February 27th 9:45 a.m.
Attention Caregivers!! Bring a new
caregiver to a support group meeting
and receive a Thank You gift.
Early Stage Alzheimer’s Group
A special program for individuals with
early stage dementia. For information,
please call (239) 437-3007.
Parkinson’s Support Groups
For information, call (239) 931-8838.
Page 5
The Hope Connection
Contributions
January/February 2008
Our sincere thanks to the following individuals and businesses who gave a memorial, honorary or general gift
during the months of October, November, and December. Gifts not listed will appear in the March/April issue.
I
n Memory Of
Clients and clients' relatives of
Osterhout, McKinney & Prather
Albert Malatesta
Edna Wozunk
Bette Vallett
Walter Vallett
Carol Coburn
Betty Denson
Roberta Lecke
Joyce and David Svensen
Carol and William Leavitt
Nancy and John Faragoi
Janet and Bill Robert
Vonnie and Jerry Kreps
Flo and Dick Buchanan
Louise and Chet Carr
Rita and Dan Wisnski
Nancy Sheppard
Gloria and George Wilber
Lois and John Kilkenney
Richard and Carol Coburn
Elizabeth and Douglas Wilcoxson
Sherri Coburn
Dale Sheppard Memorial Fund for Respite
Burdick Builders
Ruth Cautwell
Patricia Collins
Mary Ann and Robert Haragan
Margaret Byrne Cross
William Anderson
Sharon and Noel Pooler
Patricia Kivela
Maryann and Martin McLaughlin
Arlene and Jim Franz
Carolyn and Wally Halmquist
Jan and Al Peterson
Sandy and John Smith
Nadine Larson
Mary Clare and Bernard Goblirsch
Julie and Duane Amdahl
Nancy and Dennis Burgess
Peggy and Albert Pollack
Sheila and Walter Wolles
Mary Jean and Dan Wampler
Monnie and George Kane
Caroline Doblar
Jean and Daniel Bartel
Candace and Lee Frederiksen
Delores Carson
Double Trouble Tennis Team
Alice and Ronald Schmidt
Carole and Donald Shapiro
Diane Lehman
Julie Forchay
Debbie and James Neel
Sara and Stuart Bennerotte
Ruth and John Vaughan
Steven Petersen
Donald Herriott
Karis Herriott
Groham Whitney
Belle Whitney
Joan Mason Stephans
Oren Stephans
Joe Lord
Thelma Lord
Marie Gomes
Susan Hundley
Mildred Mae Bates
Beverly and Larry Holley
Robert Kruml
Florence Kruml
I
Fred's Award World
Encore Senior Village
I
n-Kind Gifts
CPR Courier Service
Ruth Messmer Florist
n Honor Of
Dotty, Chris and Katie
Virginia and John Butrick
Mae Germana
Janet Palko
I
ndividual Donations
Virginia Yates
Jan Scriba
Archie B. Hayward
Lavina Sanderson
Jennifer Daniels
Dotty St. Amand
Gail Galpin
Sharon Smith
Lisa and Nicholas Chlumsky
Karla Lafreniere
Barbara Nagle
Kathy E. Shimp
Shirley Snyder McLaren
Charlene Bowes
Peggy Baker
Karen and Dave Eckhardt
Virginia and John Butrick
Jane and T.W. Quinn
Frank Brown
Loretta Head
Dixie Harter
Robb Murray
Dr. and Mrs. Arthur Williams
Carmela and Clifford Lavers
C
When you leave a legacy,
you make sure that help continues
for those who need it.
Help us fulfill our mission while you
enjoy personal tax benefits by
making a charitable gift to the
Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer’s
Resource Center.
Your gift is important to us.
For a confidential appointment to
discuss planned giving options,
please call the Alvin A. Dubin
Alzheimer’s Resource Center
at (239) 437-3007.
ivic Gifts/Grants
Inter Agency of Lee County
FL Fed of Chapters NARFE
Area Agency on Aging for SW FL
Lee Memorial Health System
C
We make a living by what we get,
we make a life out of what we give.
- Winston Churchill
orporate Gifts
Fox Electronics, A Light To Remember
Gulf Coast Village, Brushstrokes From the Soul
Oswald Trippe & Company, Angel Society
Millennium House
Page 6
Scholarship Program Leads to Success
Recently, the center’s Executive
Director had the chance to sit down
with one of our scholarship recipients
to talk about her college experience
and accomplishments. Adrian Reese
who was one of two recipients the first
year the center awarded scholarships
to high school seniors. Adrian graduated from Evangelical High School in
2004 at which time she received her
scholarship from the Dubin
Alzheimer’s Resource Center. She
attended Edison College for two years
and finished her degree at Florida
State University this year. Adrian
married Jonathan Taylor one week
after completing her college studies.
The following is our interview with
Adrian (Reese) Taylor.
What was your major? I have a
Bachelor’s degree in exercise science.
What are your doing now? Right
now, I’m working
at Apex Physical
Therapy. I’m a
rehab tech. I
decided
my
senior year of
college I wanted
to go into physical therapy. I had
been pre-med up
until my senior
year.
What made you change your course
of study? I loved my major and the
physical aspect of it. I wanted to focus
on a career with more patient contact
where I would be able to see patients’
progress.
What are your plans for the future?
I am getting ready to take a GRE
review course. Then, I’ll apply to
FGCU for grad school in physical
therapy. My goal is to start the
program in the fall of 2009.
How did the scholarship from our
center help you? Financially - it
helped pay for books and tuition at
Edison. That was a great help.
What advice do you have for high
school seniors? Work hard. Stay
open-minded about planning your
career path.
What are your career goals? My
goal is to be able to serve people and
educate. I want to incorporate that
and my love of exercise into physical
therapy. I am looking at specializing
in geriatric physical therapy and am
also looking at missionary work.
How did you learn about our scholarship program? I learned about the
scholarship from my mom who is a
geriatric case manager.
Scholarship application and
criteria are available for interested
students at www.alzheimersswfl.org
The Hope Connection
January/February 2008
Alzheimer’s Foundation
of America (AFA)
Annual Membership Meeting
October 2007 ~ Philadelphia
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
CEO Eric Hall and Board members
respond to members during the
annual meeting in Philadelphia
Dotty St. Amand with Carol Steinberg
of AFA at the membership meeting
Page 7
The Hope Connection
January/February 2008
Project Spotlight
Special thanks
to
Ruth Messmer
Florist and Carraba’s
for donations to
Project Spotlight
For more information
about nominating a
dedicated caregiver or
making a donation,
call 437-3007.
Project Spotlight Shines on Dedicated Caregivers
The Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource
Center is pleased to announce the
November 2007 recipient of our Project
Spotlight honor.
The concept of Project Spotlight
was
developed
through
many
discussions with volunteers of our
center. Several volunteers from various
organizations worked with our staff to
develop a program that would highlight
the dedication of caregivers.
In earlier editions of this newsletter,
readers were encouraged to nominate
caregivers to be recognized.
To
nominate
a
caregiver,
newsletter readers were asked to
complete a simple one-page form with
a brief narrative about the person they
are nominating.
Michael Skaggs surprises
Irene Kozacko with a bouquet
from Ruth Messmer Florist.
The fall 2007 cohort of New PATH
group members pose for a photo as
they concluded the support series
in late November.
Their journey on a new path continues
as they join other New PATH
participants at their monthly
support meetings.
During National Family Caregiver
Month in November, Advisory Board
Vice Chair Michael Skaggs and
Executive Director Dotty St. Amand
had the pleasure of surprising Irene
Kozacko with a bouquet of flowers
donated by Ruth Messmer Florist
and a gift certificate compliments of
Carraba’s.
Irene Kozacko was nominated for
this honor by her brother Richard
Kozacko. Irene first became a caregiver
when her dad was undergoing rehabilitation for a fractured hip in the mid1990’s. During her time helping her
dad, it became apparent that her mother
was experiencing memory impairment.
After her father’s death, Irene
continued to look after her mother and
became her full-time caregiver as her
mother progressed through Alzheimer’s
disease.
During her days of caring for her
mother, Irene also took over the care of
her younger brother who is developmentally disabled.
He had always
resided with their parents.
Following their mother’s death, Irene
has continued to reside in the family
home to provide care to her younger
brother.
Recently she has also begun to help a
friend who is experiencing early stage
memory impairment.
Her brother
writes that she helps her friend “to be
sure that his clothes are neat and well
kept (and) he has food in his apartment.” She also drives him to medical
appointments.
In his nomination, Richard shared his
admiration for his sister with these
words, “Of course, I’m partial, as Irene
is my sister. But, I can think of no one
who has demonstrated such an outstanding commitment as a caregiver and
who continues to do so with different
people in her daily life.”
Our special thanks to Irene for her
dedication to caring for those who rely
on her to make each day a little easier.
Page 8
Brushstrokes From The Soul
The Hope Connection
January/February 2008
Eleventh Annual Art Show
Many thanks to our art
project participants,
sponsors, and guests
who helped make
our annual art show
event such a success.
A very special thank you
to our Grand Sponsor
Gulf Coast Village
and our host
Robb & Stucky Interiors.
Rosemary Lovegrove poses by the art
she painted during the reception.
Elise Eifert and Katie Roosevelt
show off holiday pins for our
guests’ shopping pleasure.
Archie Hayward shares a laugh with Al
and Pat O”Donnell at the art reception.
Dotty St. Amand (l) and Peg Gray-Vickrey (r)
with Geri Spaeth and Laura Slack of
Gulf Coast Village.
Beth Prather and Pat Sabatino
enjoy the art display.
Don’t miss our 12th annual Brushstrokes From The Soul art show in November 2008!
The Law Office of
Serving Lee & Collier Counties
772-9546 or 594-5004
Call for a free “at home” consultation
SeniorBridge nurses and home health aides
specialize in complex chronic care.
www.seniorbridge.net
Norma Hand Brill, P.A.
☐ Board Certified
Elder Law Attorney
by the Florida Bar
☐ Wills
☐ Trusts
☐ Durable Powers of
Attorney
☐ Health Care Directives
☐ Long Term Care
Planning
☐ Nursing Home
Medicaid Eligibility
☐ Certified Elder Law
Attorney by the
National Elder Law
Foundation
☐ 2007 Super Lawyer,
Super Lawyers Magazine
164 Pondella Road
North Fort Myers, Florida 33903
239/997-6464
“The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely on
advertisements. Before you decide, ask me to send you free written information about my
qualifications and experience.”
Page 9
The Hope Connection
January/February 2008
November 2007
Caregiver Social
Caregivers’ Corner
CAREGIVER’S SEMINAR
A free educational training seminar designed specifically
to meet the needs of family caregivers for
persons with memory impairment.
Dates: February 27th, March 5th & March 12th
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Presented by: Lee Memory Care
Hosted by: Arden Courts
15950 McGregor Blvd., Ft. Myers
Facilitators:
Adele Gomez and Mickie Keeler, Lee Memory Care
Speakers: Douglas Newland, MD
Mary Ward, RN
Joe Jeckel, Financial Planner
Mary Curtis, RN
Beth Prather, Elder Law Attorney
Elise Eifert, MS, CHES
Jackie Ferguson, LMHC
For more information or to register,
please call 334-5857.
Remember…
Life is a journey, be a happy traveler.
- anonymous
Page 10
Questions and Answers.…
Q.
My husband is in the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease and under
hospice care. The past 10 years of my life have been dedicated to providing
a high quality of life for him. I did not have the time or energy to maintain a
life outside of caregiving. I’m starting to worry about what I’m going to do
after my husband is gone.
A.
Caregiving is a full time job and for many people it becomes their
entire life and what defines them. Feelings of “what now” when their
responsibilities are complete are very common. First off, you have a whole
wealth of valuable knowledge about caregiving. Try to put your new skills to
good use. You could volunteer at a nursing home, do public presentations, or
even start a new career as a professional caregiver. Second, try to recall your
past life. Call old friends or pick up old hobbies that may have fallen to the
way side. Thirdly, find something that gives life new meaning. For a long
time it was caregiving but now a new chapter has begun. The Dubin
Alzheimer’s Resource Center has many volunteer opportunities. You would
be joining a group of individuals that share many of your feelings and will
tell you there is life after caregiving!
To submit a question you would like answered, e-mail
[email protected] or send your written question to Dubin
Alzheimer’s Resource Center, 10051 McGregor Blvd. Suite 101,
Ft. Myers, FL 33919. (Fax: 239-437-3008)
The Hope Connection
January/February 2008
Sweet Memories
Seventh Annual
Chocolate Gala
A gala to benefit the
Alvin A. Dubin
Alzheimer’s Resource
Center
April 26, 2008
Ft. Myers
Watch for details in the
March/April newsletter
For information about sponsorships, tickets,
or donations for the silent and/or live auctions,
please contact us at (239) 437-3007!
Page 11
Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center
10051 McGregor Blvd. Ste. 101
Fort Myers, FL 33919
(239) 437-3007
www.alzheimersswfl.org
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A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT
IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. THE TOLL-FREE NUMBER IS: 1-800-435-7352. FL SOLICITATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS REGISTRATION #SC-06629. 100% OF EACH
CONTRIBUTION IS RECEIVED BY THE ALVIN A. DUBIN ALZHEIMER’S RESOURCE CENTER, INC.
YOU ARE NEEDED..............
In the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, irreversible brain disease for which there is
currently no cure. It affects an estimated 4 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death among older adults.
More than twenty thousand residents of Lee County are affected by this disease.
The Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center is a nonprofit organization addressing the needs of Alzheimer’s persons
and their families through family support, education, and advocacy. Please join us by completing and returning this form
to: The Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer's Resource Center, 10051 McGregor Blvd. Ste. 101, Fort Myers, FL 33919.
Name:__________________________________________________________________________________________
Address:________________________________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip: ______________________________________________________ Phone(Optional)______________
MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS:
Corporate Sponsor
$5000
$ 500
$1000
$ 250
$ 150
$ 100
Individual Sponsor
$500
$ 100
$250
$ 50
$ 10
Other $ _______
In Memory of _________________________________
In Honor of __________________________________
Call (239) 437-3007 to make a donation via Visa or MasterCard!
Make your check payable to:
The Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center•10051 McGregor Blvd. Ste. 101•Ft. Myers, FL 33919