December 31, 2009 at 10:00 am | Posted in Pat Linard, PR | Leave a comment
Tags: alzheimer's, Caregiver's, Support, support group
Distinctive Care of Ridgewood, NJ continues to offer a support group for Bergen and Rockland County residents. The Alzheimer’s Caregivers support group continues on the first Monday of each month at 7PM at the First Presbyterian Church in Ramsey, NJ. In addition to discussion and support, the guest speakers from 2009 included Brian Keane, elder law attorney from Hartman & Winnicki and Amy Matthews from The Alzheimer’s Association; they provided much needed guidance. A guest speaker covering relaxation techniques will be featured in the first quarter of 2010. Mark your calendars for meetings on January 4, February 8 and March 1. Call Barbara at (201) 857-5283 if you would like to attend or want further information.
October 30, 2009 at 10:00 am | Posted in Barbara Siembieda, GC | Leave a comment
Tags: Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Disease, support group
The November monthly meeting of the Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group is scheduled for Monday, November 2nd at 7 pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Ramsey, New Jersey. Our topic will focus on the causes of dementia-related behaviors and how best to respond when we encounter them in our loved ones. We hope to learn from eachother the strategies that work best in situations that each of us experience. The Alzheimer’s Association has provided us with copies of a pamphlet on this topic which will be available to each group member to take home. Our group is open to all and focuses on supporting caregivers and the families of loved ones with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias. If you would like further information on our monthly support group, please contact Barbara at Distinctive Care Geriatric Care Management at 201-857-5283.
October 6, 2009 at 10:30 am | Posted in Sophia Heftler, GCM | Leave a comment
Tags: Dementia, support group
We had our monthly caregiver support meeting tonight and I feel like all the participants were really able to help each other tonight. It was a very casual meeting and we talked about what we could do for ourselves to make our jobs a little easier. I personally get a great deal out of the support group because even though I am a facilitator I am also a caregiver. My father has dual dementia – Alzheimer’s Disease and Vascular Dementia and it’s difficult to see the changes in him. He is still very functional and the medications he is on have definitely helped to slow the progression. He is taking Aricept and Namenda. I spend a lot of time worrying about him and what calamity might be laying in wait around the corner. The funny thing about it is that for people who didn’t know my father before, it doesn’t seem like he has dementia, but for those of us who know him well it is the changes in his personality that are the most troublesome. He has become someone without a filter…he speaks whatever is on his mind and like many people with dementia a part of his brain that’s damaged is the part that controls sexual inhibitions. With no filter we never know what might come out of his mouth in mixed company…stuff he never talked about before and certainly not in front of his children.
Anyway, it was good to be able to share some things about him tonight and how our relationship has changed over the course of the past year among people who really get it and who want to support you. It is nice to know that you are not alone in your worries and there are people who support your efforts.
I invite you to join us on the 1st Monday of every month at the First Presbyterian Church in Ramsey at 7pm. For more information please contact us at Distinctive Care Geriatric Care Management in Ridgewood, NJ, 201-857-5283 or info@distinctivecare.net. You are not alone out there and we want to help…
August 19, 2009 at 12:08 pm | Posted in Barbara Siembieda, GC | Leave a comment
Tags: Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Disease, support group
On Tuesday, September 14th at 7:00 pm. at the September meeting of our monthly Alzheimer’s Caregivers’ Support Group, Distinctive Care Geriatric Care Management will host Amy Elizabeth Matthews of the Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter to speak on the topic of Defining Dementia. The aim of the program is to help gain a better understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and provide information about dementia and other related disorders. Amy Matthews is the Associate Director of Late-Stage Dementia Care, Education & Outreach at the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter. Amy has a long and distinguished career in the field of elder care and will discuss the ten warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, the importance of receiving a thorough diagnostic evaluation, current treatment options, and support services available to caregivers. The team at Distinctive Care Geriatric Care Management feels it is important to educate the public, especially those most at risk, about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. This event is being held in the Fellowship Hall of the First Presbyterian Church of Ramsey, 5 Shuart Lane, Ramsey, New Jersey and is open to the public. All are welcome to attend. For further information, to register in advance, or if you have an interest in joining the monthly Alzheimer’s Caregivers’ Support Group, please call Barbara at 201-857-5283
July 31, 2009 at 10:00 am | Posted in Barbara Siembieda, GC | Leave a comment
Tags: Alzheimer's Disease, support group
Distinctive Care Geriatric Care Management and the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater New Jersey co-sponsors a monthly meeting for caregivers of loved ones who suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia. We meet on the first monday of each month at The First Presbyterian Church located at 15 Shuart Lane in Ramsey, NJ. Our August meeting is monday, August 3rd at 7 pm. Kindly contact Bobbi at Distinctive Care Geriatric Care Management (201-857-5283) for further information. We welcome you to join us!
June 30, 2009 at 10:00 am | Posted in Barbara Siembieda, GC | 1 Comment
Tags: Alzheimer's Disease, support group
Distinctive Care Geriatric Care Management, along with the Alzheimer’s Association of New Jersey, will sponsor a meeting for caregivers on Monday, July 6th. This month’s meeting will highlight a guest speaker who will address legal issues relevant to caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. An attorney with expertise in the field elder law and financial and estate planning will address questions and concerns of our members and their guests. Please call Bobbi at (201) 857-5283 to register for the event and for further information about how our group can help meet your caregiver needs. We would love to have you and your guests join us!
June 8, 2009 at 10:00 am | Posted in Barbara Siembieda, GC | Leave a comment
Tags: Alzheimer's Disease, support group
June 4, 2009
Distinctive Care Geriatric Care Management, along with the support of the Alzheimer’s Association of New Jersey, sponsored its Caregiver Support Group on Monday, June 1st. There were 8 members present – including 2 new members. After introducing ourselves and sharing our caregiving stories, we talked about how we each handled challenging situations with our loved one who suffer with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Our lone gentleman member shared poignant observations of his wife’s confusion when dressing and the difficulty of seeing her struggle with daily activities that once came so easily to her. Lots of great suggestions for dealing with issues of care were offered and we had a few laughs along the way that allowed us all to relax a bit! It’s a gift to have a forum in which to share our lives as we each face increasing demands along our individual journeys. Next month we hope to offer the advice of an elder care attorney to address legal issues concerning us all as our loved ones’ capacity for decision making and understanding of complex issues diminishes.
May 27, 2009 at 11:15 am | Posted in Barbara Siembieda, GC | 2 Comments
Tags: Alzheimer's Disease, support group
May 27, 2009
Distinctive Care Geriatric Care Management continues to offer a Caregiver’s Support Group meeting on the first Monday of each month. Our June 1st meeting will feature a topic that is so very relevant to all caregivers: tips and strategies for responding to the difficult situations and behaviors associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. On a daily basis, we each deal with these concerns and question how we can best respond. The Alzheimer’s Association has provided us with a fabulous “cheat sheet” which will be available to everyone to take home as a handy reference. Also, hearing each other’s “secret strategies” will give us even more ways to enhance our response to the needs of our loved ones.
Please call (201) 857-5283 for further information about joining our group. We welcome you!
April 23, 2009 at 9:48 am | Posted in Barbara Siembieda, GC | Leave a comment
Tags: Alzheimer's Disease, support group, Tips
Distinctive Care Geriatric Care Management continues to offer a Caregiver’s Support Group on the first Monday of each month. April’s topic – “Taking Care of Yourself While You’re Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s” was discussed among the nine caregivers in attendance and we came up with some good ideas for those facing similar circumstances. Some of the ideas generated included: acknowledging our limitations, accepting help from those who offer and/or finding resources that allow us some time away from caregiving responsibilities, finding a safe place to “talk it over” (like our support group!) and nurturing both our bodies and our souls. Sophia Heftler of Distinctive Care generously presented each of our participants with a fantastic resource book entitled “Take Care Tips: How to Care for Yourself While You’re Taking Care of Others.”
Please call 201-857-5283 for further information about joining our group. We welcome you!
March 30, 2009 at 8:00 am | Posted in Barbara Siembieda, GC | Leave a comment
Tags: Alzheimer's Disease, bergen county, Support, support group
Distinctive Care and the Alzheimer’s Association continue to offer a support group in Bergen County on the first monday of each month for caregivers and family members of those affected by Alzheimer’s or related dementia. We meet for an hour to share our stories of caregiving and support eachother in whatever way we can. We offer information regarding services available as well as pool ideas from our support group members on coping skills. It’s a great opportunity to be with others who share similar situations faced by caregivers. Our next meeting is on Monday, April 6th at 7 pm. Please call 201-857-5283 and leave a message. Your call will be returned asap.
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Mark Heftler
Sophia Heftler
Pat Linard
Christine Clark, GCM
Joanne Jordan, Office Manager
Amy Shein, GCM
Deborah Varisco, GCM
