Alzheimer's Association, National Capital Area Chapter - Memory Cafes

Alzheimer's Association Memory Cafes Memory Cafes offer a fun and relaxed way for people living with early-stage memory loss to get connected with one another through social events that promote interaction and companionship.

Pre-registration required. Please contact Tara Davis-Rama at 240.428.1342 or tkramar@alz.org

1st & 3rd Mondays, 12:00-1:00pm
Location: Rockville Senior Center,1150 Carnation Dr, Rockville, MD 20850

3rd Wednesdays, 2:30-4:00pm

Location: Bender JCC of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Rd, Rockville, MD 20852

Last Thursday of each month, 2:00 – 3:30 PM

Location: Leisure World of Maryland, 3700 Rossmoor Blvd, Silver Spring, MD 20906

2nd Thursdays, 10:00 – 11:30am
Location: White Oak Community Recreation Center, 1700 April Ln, Silver Spring, MD, 20904

4th Wednesdays, 3:30-5:00pm

Location: Olney Library, 3500 Olney Laytonsville Rd, Olney, MD 20832

1st Friday 2:00-3:30
Location: Oasis at Macy’s Home Store, 7125 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20817

Pre-registration required. Please contact Tara Davis-Rama at 240.428.1342 or tkramar@alz.org

In addition to Memory Cafes, the Alzheimer's Association also offers:
Alzheimer's Association Support Groups Peer-led groups for caregivers and others dealing with Alzheimer's disease. All support groups are facilitated by trained individuals. Many locations offer specialized groups for children, individuals with younger-onset specialized groups from children, individuals with younger-onset and early-stage Alzheimer's, adult caregivers and others with specific needs.

Alzheimer's Association Care Consultation Services 

Feel overwhelmed and confused after a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or dementia? We're here to help. Our care consultation services are designed to provide you and family support in coping with dementia (form pre-diagnosis to end-of-life). You will receive one on one advice to better understand the disease, to manage care, and to make more informed treatment decisions.

Caregiver SOS: On Air - Podcast

This hour-long weekly radio show is produced in the Greater San Antonio region and is available for everyone to listen anytime online.

Hosted by nationally recognized gerontologist Carol Zernial and veteran broadcaster Ron Aaron, and featuring author/psychologist Dr. James Huysman PsyD, LCSW.
Caregiver SOS On Air explores issues important to you.

Click here to listen to any of the podcast from your computer or smart phone

Holy Cross Caregiver Resource Center - Support Groups and Education

The Holy Cross Caregiver Resource Center is a wealth of information and supportive services for caregivers. If you’re living with aging parents, or caring for a loved one or friend, the center is your go-to resource for support, education and the latest on healthy aging, and disease diagnosis and treatment.

Ongoing Support Group for Adult Children
Adult children of all ages who are caring for ill and/or aging parents are invited to discuss problems, share idea and benefit from the support of those who are traveling the same caregiving journey.
Monday, 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Tuesday, 3:00pm to 4:30pm
Thursday, 10:00am to 11:30am
Location: Holy Cross Resource Center, 9805 Dameron Drive, Silver Spring, Md.

Support Group for Caregivers of Seniors diverse elders
This group is held upper Montgomery County and offers support for caregivers of all ill and/or aging seniors. 

1st/3rd Tuesday, 2:00pm 3:30pm
Location: Gaithersburg Upcounty Senior Center

Support Group for Spouses
Spouses who are caring for ill and/or aging spouses maybe facing the loss of their life's partner, coping with role reversal in their marriage, and much,much more. Bonding within the groups sometimes even helps with the loneliness along the journey.
Wednesday, 10:00am to 11:30am
Friday, 10:00am to 11:30am
Thursday, 3:00pm to 4:30pm

Location: all these groups: Holy Cross Resource Center

Telephone Support Group

This group was created for spouses and adult children who are unable to attend a group in person. Sharing problems and solutions as well as caregiver bonding still occurs.
Tuesday, 6pm to 7:30pm. 

Call: 301-754-7152 in advance to obtain the access numbers.


Click here to register for a Holy Cross Caregiver Resource Center class or support group 

or
Call Sister Kathy Weber at 301-754-7152 for more information and to register.

Alzheimer's Association, National Capital Area Chapter - Support Groups

Peer-led groups for caregivers and others dealing with Alzheimer's disease. All support groups are facilitated by trained individuals. Many locations offer specialized groups for children, individuals with younger-onset specialized groups from children, individuals with younger-onset and early-stage Alzheimer's, adult caregivers and others with specific needs.

1st and 3rd Friday at 11:45 a.m.

Location: Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church, 6601 Bradley Boulevard, Bethesda, 20817 

Contact: Elaine Byergo 301.906.2520 or Lynn Meltzer 301.530.3551

2nd Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.

Location: Brighton Gardens of Friendship Heights,  5555 Friendship Blvd, Chevy Chase, 20815
Contact: Terri Adams and Nicoline Rademacher 301.656.1900

2nd and 4th Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.

Location: Gaithersburg Library, 18330 Montgomery Village Ave, Gaithersburg, MD, 20879 

Contact: Kim Painter kim.alzassoc@gmail.com 301.467.215 or Joan Quinlan joan.alzassoc@gmail.com, 301.401.3145 

1st Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Location: Arden Courts of Kensington, 4301 Knowles Avenue, Kensington, 20895 

Contact: Agnes Collins 301.598.4118

3rd Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.

Location: Sunrise of Rockville, 8 Baltimore Rd, Rockville, 20850 

Contact: Carole Ashendorf: csa9606@gmail.com,  281.216.0940

3rd Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.

Location: Brooke Grove Rehab and Nursing, 18131 Slade School Road, Sandy Spring, 20860
Contact: Bill Neely 301.924.5176 ext 1312, or Laura Rounds 301.260.2300

1st Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.

Location: Arden Courts of Silver Spring, 2505 Musgrove Road, Silver Spring, 20904 

Contact: Wendy Johnson 240.413.8690

Mondays at 6:00 p.m., Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m., Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.

(Three groups for adult children)

Location: Holy Cross Resource Center, 9805 Dameron Drive, Silver Spring, 20902 

Contract: Sister Kathy Weber 301.754.7152

Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m., Thursdays at 3:00 p.m., Fridays at 10:00 a.m.

(Three groups for spouses)

Location: Holy Cross Resource Center, 9805 Dameron Drive, Silver Spring, 20902 

Contact: Sister Kathy Weber 301.754.7152

1st and 3rd Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.

Location: Leisure World on Georgia Avenue - Interfaith Chapel Library, 3680 South Leisure World Boulevard, Silver Spring, 20906 

Contact: Sunny Grunder 301.438.2446, Christina Green 301.570-0525

In addition to support groups, the Alzheimer's Association also offers:

Alzheimer's Association Care Consultation Services Feel overwhelmed and confused after a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or dementia? We're here to help. Our care consultation services are designed to provide you and family support in coping with dementia (form pre-diagnosis to end-of-life). You will receive one on one advice to better understand the disease, to manage care, and to make more informed treatment decisions.

Alzheimer's Association Memory Cafes Memory Cafes offer a fun and relaxed way for people living with early-stage memory loss to get connected with one another through social events that promote interaction and companionship.

Questions: please call Tara Davis-Rama, Program Manager, Montgomery County-240-428-1342 or email Tara Davis-Rama at tkrama@alz.org

IACO's Global State of Care Report

The International Alliance of Carer Organizations (IACO) is pleased to announce the launch of its milestone report, Global State of Care!

Supported by EMD Serono's Embracing Carers™ Initiative, the report provides an assessment of unique carer needs and existing programs, practices, and policies for unpaid carers across nine different countries: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, India, Spain, United Kingdom, and the United States.

As unpaid caregiving is rapidly taking a toll on families and societies as a whole, many countries around the world have started recognizing the invaluable role and economic value unpaid carers provide. Moreover, carer organizations around the world have made important strides through advocacy initiatives, research, and innovative programs to address the common carer needs and challenges. Global advocacy priorities of IACO were used to shape the framework of the report, in order to provide a reference for the development of legislation, policy, and programs that support unpaid carers around the world.

As confirmed by Nadine Henningsen, IACO Board Chair & CEO of Carers Canada and the Canadian Home Care Association, "The Global State of Care report sets out a clear framework for policy makers, governments and health organizations to support carers.(...) Through the sharing of carer-friendly policies and practices across the globe, IACO stimulates discussion and facilitates learning from best policy and practice examples toward achievable goals in addressing the vital needs of carers around the world." Global advocacy priorities of IACO were used to shape the framework of the report, in order to provide a reference for the development of legislation, policy and programs that support unpaid carers around the world.

IACO and Embracing Carers™ would like to encourage the advocacy community around the world to take action and contribute to the development and implementation of legislation and programs that support unpaid carers globally. Unpaid carers have become the backbone of long-term services and supports, and as such, IACO will continue to provide leadership and cohesive direction, facilitate information sharing, and help establish a global understanding and recognition of carers globally.

Click here to view full report 

Hope Connections for Cancer Support

Hope Connections for Cancer Support helps people with cancer and their loved ones deal with the emotional and physical impact of cancer through professionally facilitated programs of emotional support, education, wellness and hope – all provided free of charge. 

Their Montgomery County program is located in a historic home in Bethesda where people affected by cancer can escape the clinical environment to connect with and learn from each other. 

Their second “home” is located in Landover. 

At both locations they provide support groups for people with cancer and for caregivers, educational workshops that provide learning opportunities and mind/body classes that help to rebuild core strength and reduce the high level of stress that comes with a cancer diagnosis. 

Their programs are available to anyone affected by cancer, regardless of their cancer diagnosis, stage of disease, age, economic status, race, religion, sex or where they receive their medical care. Our overarching goal is for no one in the Washington, DC metro area to have to face cancer alone.

Click here to learn more about Hope Connections for Cancer Support and their programs.

Alzheimer’s Association, National Capital Area Chapter - Education Programs

December 4, 6:00 to 7:30 pm

Dealing with your Love One’s Memory Loss during the Holidays  - Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behavior
Learn about some of the common triggers for behaviors associated with dementia, how to assess the person’s needs, and how to intervene effectively.

Location: Germantown Community Center, 18905 Kingsview Rd, Germantown, MD 20874, USA

December 7, 1:00 to 2:30pm
Living w/Alzheimer's: For Caregivers-Late Stage
In the late stage of Alzheimer’s disease, caregiving typically involves new ways of connecting and interacting with the person with the disease. In this two-part series, you’ll hear from caregivers and professionals about resources, monitoring care and ways to engage in meaningful connections. 

Location: Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center 1000 Forest Glen Road Silver Spring, MD 20901

December 19,  2:30 to 4:00 pm
Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA) Connect-A-Ride Transportation Resource Program 
Have you ever wondered what other transportation resources you might utilize after you choose not to drive your car? Montgomery County has PLENTY of options and Connect-A-Ride will be on hand to talk to us about them. Don't miss this informative talk. You will leave with lots of valuable information in your pocket. Guaranteed! Read more about it at: https://accessjca.org/transportation/ 

Location: 6125 Montrose Rd, Rockville, MD 20852 (301) 881-0100

All classes are open to the public and do not require registration 

Questions: please call Tara Davis-Rama, Program Manager, Montgomery County-240-428-1342 or email Tara Davis-Rama at tkrama@alz.org 



In addition to these special events, the Alzheimer's Association also offers:

Alzheimer's Association Support Groups
Peer-led groups for caregivers and others dealing with Alzheimer's disease. All support groups are facilitated by trained individuals. Many locations offer specialized groups for children, individuals with younger-onset specialized groups from children, individuals with younger-onset and early-stage Alzheimer's, adult caregivers and others with specific needs.

Alzheimer's Association Care Consultation Services Feel overwhelmed and confused after a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or dementia? We're here to help. Our care consultation services are designed to provide you and family support in coping with dementia (form pre-diagnosis to end-of-life). You will receive one on one advice to better understand the disease, to manage care, and to make more informed treatment decisions.

Alzheimer's Association Memory Cafes Memory Cafes offer a fun and relaxed way for people living with early-stage memory loss to get connected with one another through social events that promote interaction and companionship.

Questions: please call Tara Davis-Rama, Program Manager, Montgomery County-240-428-1342 or email Tara Davis-Rama at tkrama@alz.org

Montgomery County's Caregiver Support Program - Outreach Events

Every day as a caregiver you experience joys and challenges.
All caregivers benefit by receiving: practical guidance, emotional support and as needed connection with skilled providers.
Caregiver support is a vital part of our community.
These informal events are welcoming to all community members who provide care for their loved one.

  Attendees can learn about:

• Caregiver education
• County resources for caregivers
• Tools to navigate local supports
• How care-givers can maintain a healthy mind, body and soul
• Planning ahead as a caregiver
• and much more

You are welcome to attend one or more of these events.

Prepare for calm over the holidays

Offered at two locations - attend one or both sessions

With religious holidays and the end of year season it is a good opportunity to reflect, let go of some tension, connect with other caregivers and learn about helpful supports for caregivers.

Tuesday December 11, 6.30pm-8.30pm

Location: White Oak Community Library, 11701 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring
and

Thursday December 27, 1.30pm-3.30pm

Location: Marilyn J Praisner Branch Library, 14910 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville

Registration Required: click here to sign up

Caregiving & Dementia: Understanding Responsive Behaviors 

Presentation and Discussion

Caregiving & Dementia: Understanding Responsive Behaviors is a two-part series developed by Jennifer Brush, Program Director, The National Center for Montessori and Aging at Crossway Community, in partnership with Montgomery County Maryland’s Caregiver Support Program.
These short presentations introduce the concept of purposeful engagement for people living with cognitive impairment and provide effective guidance for the caregiver when faced with behavior challenges. The easy to implement suggestions integrate Montessori for Aging principles with dementia care best practices research.
We will view both parts of this series
Part 1 - Introduces challenges associated with dementia, approaches that can support purposeful engagement in the home, and how caregivers can better understand the unique capacity of their loved one.
Part 2 – Provides practical guidance on how to establish a planned home environment that is person centered, with opportunities for the person living with dementia to participate in activities they enjoy and contribute to their home community.

Thursday December 13, 6.30pm-8.30pm

Location: Olney Community Library, 3500 Olney Laytonsville Road, Olney 

Registration Required: click here to sign up

Introduction to family caregiving supports

Are new to being a family caregiver or feeling the need for more supports. This session will help you better understand what supports are available in Montgomery County and explain you can get connected with peer to peer resources and community based programs. Open to family, friends, spouses and neighbors. By attending this program you will learn:

• why caregiver support groups are so valuable and what to expect
• how adult medical day programs can improve the long term health of both the caregiver and their loved one 
• free local caregiver supports

Tuesday December 18, 6.30pm - 8.30pm

Location: Silver Spring Library Small Meeting Room, 900 Wayne Avenue, Silver Spring
(free parking available at the Wayne Avenue Parking Garage

Registration Required: click here to sign up

Caregiver Tele-Connection

The Caregiver Teleconnection is a free, bilingual, and confidential program that connects caregivers and family members to information and support through the telephone or “tele-learning”.

The Caregiver Teleconnection provides learning sessions on a variety of useful topics, hosted over the phone by professional facilitators and experts. Family caregivers have the opportunity to connect and share with others in their situation during the sessions.
Some of the topics included in the tele-learning sessions are:

There are two ways to register for a tele-learning session:

You can register via their website 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Register now.
You can call the Caregiver Teleconnection customer service line, Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm (CST) at 866-390-6491 or 210-871-7SOS (7767)

Participation in the Caregiver Tele-Connection helps prevent caregiver burnout, depression and anxiety, social isolation and other problems that threaten your health. The program can help you gain a greater sense of control and improve your quality of life.

Click here for full details and registration

Sessions are one hour in length
Caregiver Teleconnection On Demand
We realize that sometimes it’s difficult for caregivers to participate in our live sessions based on scheduling issues. We’ve made it easier for you to get the information you need by recording many of our live sessions. Click to access recorded sessions!

Winter Growth - Caregiver Support Group

Hosted by Winter Growth Adult Medical Day Program
4th Thursdays
4:30-6:00PM

Caregiver Support Groups give families the opportunity for emotional support, practical caregiving techniques, and education. Our licensed social workers and guest speakers provide information related to disease progression, symptoms, treatments, and resources. Creative problem solving among caregivers themselves helps to ease the way for all. Sharing the pain, frustration and, often, guilt associated with being a caregiver is critical for mental health. A healthy dose of laughter at some of the situations caregivers experience is also healing to the spirits of those who have taken on an enormous task. Motivated by love, these family caregivers face a daily roller coaster of sadness and joy as they reach out to their loved one. Winter Growth, in turn, reaches out to caregivers to support them in their mission.

Location: 18110 Prince Philip Drive Olney, MD 20832
For more information:  301-774-7501

Maryland State - Senior Call Check

Maryland Department of Aging is asking your help in identifying and registering people who would like to receive an automated wellness call daily. For more information, click here

HOW DOES IT WORK?
Every day a automated telephone call will be placed to a participant at a regularly scheduled time. These calls will take place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. as close as possible to the one-hour time block pre-selected by the participant. If the participant does not answer their first call, they will be tried two more times. If those calls go unanswered, additional calls will be made to notify an alternative person who is selected by the participant during program enrollment. This could be an adult child, a neighbor, or another loved one. The alternate will then be encouraged to check on the older adult program participant.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
Any Maryland resident who is 65 years of age or older who has a landline phone or cell phone. The participant and alternates should not have automated call blocking technology (or they should disable that phone feature for this program).

For Maryland residents who qualify for the program but who do not have access to the Maryland Department of Aging website, www.aging.maryland.gov, you may call our toll-free number to register by phone: 1-800-243-3425

Caregiver Connect Support Group

A Monthly Gathering for Caregivers — with Facilitator Leslie Mason, LCSW-C

2nd Monday of every month • 6:30pm-8:00pm • Light refreshments served

Caregiver Connect offers the opportunity to connect with other caregivers and discuss common challenges in a welcoming, private setting. It also features educational topics, such as Juggling
Caregiving, Advanced Care Planning, and Coping with Loss.

Leslie Mason, LCSW-C, a Care Manager for Seabury Resources for Aging, will lead the program. Leslie brings over 18 years of experience in care coordination, advocating for clients, and looking for opportunities to enhance their quality of life.

Location: Kensington Park Senior Living: 3620 Littledale Road Kensington, MD 20895
RSVP to 301-946-7700

Art in a Therapeutic Space

Written by: Olivia Gyapong 

In an individualized, alternative form of therapy, Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor Daniela Wolf combines art and psychology to facilitate patients’ gaining insight into their problems and finding resolutions.

According to Ms. Wolf, “art therapy is a form of therapy that can incorporate many approaches, but what distinguishes it from other forms is the fact that [art therapists] also can, at times exclusively and at times just in addition, use art as an important part of the therapy in terms of the person’s way of expressing themself and in terms of our way of connecting and relating to the person who seeks therapy. We are looking at how the art can facilitate the therapeutic process which is gaining insight, gaining skills, and making healthier choices and connections. It’s very individualized.”

Wolf, who sees clients at her private practice and in various hospitals throughout Maryland, became interested in combining psychology and art at an early age. “As a young child,” Wolf recounts, “in my neighborhood...was an artist who provided after school art for children and I loved going there and it felt very soothing to me and it felt like a special space where I could...express myself freely. She was intuitive enough to allow us to be [ourselves] and I started to feel that I wanted to study psychology and art and combine the two.” Inspired by her neighborhood artist, Wolf works with patients to facilitate the same kind of creative, transcendent, and individualized healing. While she does work with clients to recognize and resolve problems, Wolf generally tries to let clients come to realizations about their feelings on their own.

“I’m here to facilitate and provide them with basic material as well as...suggestions. Usually I try not to [give suggestions], but if they do need it, I’m also there for that. Sometimes I can see things in the art and then share or...the clients start to see things in their art. I might have a hunch or might even have more than a hunch but I don’t always share it because the person might not be ready for it. Some people don’t want to know...it really depends on the person and their circumstance. But when they’re prepared and that’s the right time, a lot can come out of the art.”

Wolf has employed this technique across a vast range of populations- including the aging and disabled. While she has not worked with any clients who have had caregivers, Wolf shared a tactic caregivers can employ with clients who engage in art therapy.  “[For] psychotherapy, a psychotherapist [needs] to be with them, but if someone is benefiting from just doing art...then a caregiver can facilitate art making while they’re at home and the therapist can show how to best line up the material and what art material might be really good for that person while they’re at home. If something comes up...then maybe [they] can talk to a therapist and [the therapist] can go over it.”

While Wolf admits that some might gravitate towards this style of therapy more than others, she believes that, overall, art therapy can be beneficial for many. “I believe that everyone has strengths in them and that when you are working with a therapist that sees your strengths and also sees the difficulties you’re going through...you can experience yourself in a new way. Art that can bring in...conversation [that] is very empowering and can really move someone through difficult times. We know nowadays [through] neurological biology that nonverbal tactile engagement can really promote healing, especially [for] those who have been through trauma. It can’t be simplified but that’s the beauty of art therapy; it has a spectrum of so many areas in which it can really touch and bring forth healing to the individual.”

To learn more about art therapy in Montgomery visit:

click here

click here

Updated Eldercare Locator

ACL Launches Redesigned Eldercare Locator Website

The Administration for Community Living is pleased to launch our newly redesigned Eldercare Locator website. Located online at eldercare.acl.gov, the updated website makes it easier for older adults and their caregivers to find essential aging resources. New features include:
A mobile-optimized design to easily access the Eldercare Locator on a computer, phone, or tablet
A geographical search bar allows visitors to search for local aging resources from any page on the site Caregiver Corner with answers to the most frequently asked questions the Eldercare Locator Call Center receives from caregivers
A new “Learn More About” section that provides information on popular topics like transportation, support services, elder rights, housing, health, and insurance and benefits
A centralized location that enables older adults and caregivers access Eldercare Locator brochures on topics important to their health and well-being

For more than 25 years, the Eldercare Locator Call Center and website have served as critical tools to assist older adults and those who support them in navigating the range of services and options available to seniors. In 2017, more than 470,000 visitors accessed the Eldercare Locator’s website. The Call Center receives more than 350,000 calls every year and answered its 4 millionth call earlier this year.

We encourage you to explore the new website. We will continue to expand and update our resources to provide valuable information for older adults and their caregivers to serve our vital and ever growing aging population.

Launched in 1991, the Eldercare Locator is a national information and referral resource providing support to consumers across the spectrum of issues affecting older Americans.

Click here to visit Eldercare Locator website

Montgomery Hospice - Caregiver Supports

All sessions held at:
Location: Montgomery Hospice, 1355 Piccard Drive, Rockville

Drop-in discussion about grief and healingOffered to anyone grieving the death of a loved one
(Workshop is led by professional counselors.)
December 5, 2018, 6:30-8:00 p.m

and

January 3, 2019, 1:00-2:30 p.m.

Bereavement workshop: winter blues: balancing sorrow and celebration while grieving
Offered to anyone grieving the death of a loved one
(Workshop is led by professional counselors.)
December 10, 2018, 1:00-2:30 p.m


All sessions held at:
Location: Montgomery Hospice, 1355 Piccard Drive, Rockville

To register contact: 301-921-4400
Email: LHorenstein@montgomeryhospice.org
website: www.montgomeryhospice.org

Misler Adult Day Center - Caregiver Support Group

The Misler Adult Day Center social workers lead a caregiver support group that meets twice a month. Under the gentle facilitation of our social worker, families find a haven – a place to talk with others who are experiencing very similar challenges. Caregivers share ways to cope and manage the stresses in their lives. There is much talk, laughter and tears as caregivers connect to those who really understand.

The group meets monthly contact JCA for details.

Location: 1801 East Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20852
Terrace Level

Contact: 301-468-1740