Volume 16 | November, 2020 |
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The Samuel Gorlitz Kensington Club is a social day
program of JCA® serving older adults with early-stage dementia. *Now
Meeting Virtually!* Jewish
Council for the Aging of Greater Washington Click
here to learn more about the Club. |
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KC@Home
Caregiver Cope & Connect Sharing Resources and Hope While
Remaining Connected During COVID-19 |
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Gratitude My Mother had a mantra. “There is always something
to be grateful for.” What do you think about that? At Kensington
Club, the staff and I always referred to November and December as
the season for preparing for both giving and receiving. When the
Club was meeting in person, the members and staff focused on
activities surrounding gratitude. We even chose a Club “mitzvah”
every year. This could involve writing notes to prisoners,
hospitalized youth, and veterans. One year, we made move-in kits
for men and women who were transitioning out of homeless shelters
into a new dwelling. We even sponsored a coat drive with the help
of a teenage volunteer. Despite a diagnosis that changed their
lives, KC members showed immense enthusiasm for any activity to
give to others who they felt were less fortunate then they were.
Every year, the staff and I were blown away by this. Nevertheless, it may be challenging to have an
attitude of gratitude and concentrate on the positives when you
are experiencing the overwhelming challenges of caregiving during
this pandemic. We understand that it is hard to pause and focus
on gratitude when you are in the midst of dealing with chronic
health conditions, isolation from family during the holiday,
mobility issues, cognitive concerns, lost loved ones, and so much
more. I hope that our November issue of resources will
give you and your loved one an opportunity to consider a new
support group or activity during the holiday break. We hope you
are able to find time to pause and shift focus to all that you
appreciate in your lives right now. Research even points to the
health benefits associated with thankfulness. Naming things that
you are grateful for and writing them down can even reduce
stress. At Kensington Club@Home, we will be right with you
and your loved one this month, trying our best to focus on all
the goodness in life. In Friendship, Colleen, Karen, Dana, Lily, Louise, Susan, and Gail |
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Something
New To Try Together in November 1, 2, 3
Grateful Journal Grab a notebook, and start with these three
prompts: 1.
One great event that happened to me today. 2.
Two people I am grateful for today. 3.
Three things I am grateful for right now. This can be started anytime in November or
December. Make a goal for a twice a week entry. It makes for
wonderful supper conversation with your loved one or content for
a telephone or Zoom conversation with relatives and friends.
Encourage the youngsters in your life to keep a Grateful Journal
so you can share experiences, even through the phone or computer.
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November
Nationwide Resource Spotlight Alzheimer's
Foundation of America (AFA) https://alzfdn.org/events Are you signed up? Founded by a caregiver in 2002,
the AFA provides supports, services and education to caregivers
affected by Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias. They offer
updates on research, memory screenings, continuing education for
caregivers, activity tips of the week and virtual community
classes. They have a wonderful newsletter also. |
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November
Montgomery County Resources |
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Montgomery College Monday Night Film Series This Monday night film series sponsored by
Montgomery College is available in the Fall. Take a look at the
movie choices, reserve a ticket online and you will receive an
email link to the day of the show. The links are good for 24
hours from the day of availability. Click
here to register. Free November Turkey "Grab & Go" - November
21 10-12 Noon. One box per household. Drive up while supplies
last at the East County Recreation Center 3310 Gateshead Manor
Way, Silver Spring. Click
here November 9 is the first day to register for
Montgomery County 55 and Better Virtual Winter Programs Montgomery County Recreation has an exciting lineup
of virtual classes to promote active and healthy lifestyles this
winter. The guide for classes is now available online.
Registration for classes begins Monday, Nov. 9. Click
here to register. Watch "Seniors Today," a program for
ages 50 and better Montgomery County residents Click
here |
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KC@Home Poetry Gallery for November By Dana Adams
Tate November's poetry workshop was about November and
thankfulness. Below you will find the collaborative
sensory poem written by the poetry writing workshop on
November 12th. This original creative piece gives new meaning to
the concept of being thankful by approaching it through the
senses. Thankfulness is sky blue. It sounds like children playing. It smells like coconut cake. It tastes like vanilla ice cream. It looks like sparkling gold. Thankfulness feels like velvet or the soft body of
someone you love. |
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Support
Group & Resources ALZ Connected https://www.alz.org/help-support/community/support-groups A free online
community/message board for everyone (early-onset included!)
affected by Alzheimer's or another dementia. Individuals living
with Alzheimer’s, caregivers, family members and friends can ask
questions, get advice and find support. It's not the same as
a virtual support group but some people like this-always-on-line
approach to support. The Alzheimer's Association Virtual Support Groups
Update These are peer-led groups for caregivers and others
dealing with Alzheimer's disease. All support groups are
facilitated by trained volunteers. If you are considering
attending a support group note that groups are meeting over the
phone or on-line due to coronavirus precautions. Please contact
the facilitator listed to verify meeting information and receive
meeting instructions. Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church | 1st and
3rd Friday at 11:45 a.m. | Elaine Byergo 301.906.2520, Lynn
Meltzer 301.407.1066| RSVP Required. Call the facilitator. Holy Cross Resource Center | (Three groups for
adult children) | Mondays at 6:00 p.m., Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m.,
Thursdays at 10:00 a.m., | Sister Kathy Weber 301.754.7152 | RSVP
Required. Call the facilitator. Holy Cross Resource Center | (Three groups for
spouses) | Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m., Thursdays at 3:00 p.m.,
Fridays at 10:00 a.m. | Sister Kathy Weber 301.754.7152 | RSVP
Required. Call the facilitator. Questions: please call Sheila Griffith, Program
Manager, Montgomery County-240-844-3608 or email: sagriffith@alz.org KC@Home Caregiver Coping Series Tuesday,
December 8th at 7pm "Tough Questions (and Answers) about
Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias” with Marti
Bailey, Director of Sibley Senior Association and Community
Health at Sibley Memorial Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and
Club Memory Founder Write ckemp@accessjca for the Zoom link to join. VIDEO: Alzheimer's and Hallucinations, Delusions,
and Paranoia in Dementia: How to respond National Institute on Aging Click
here to view |
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Fact: In
Maryland, approximately 110,000 people aged 65 + are living
with Alzheimer's disease in Maryland. |
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National
Resource 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 over the phone
to better understand the disease, to manage care, and to make
more informed treatment decisions. Please call our Helpline:
800.272.3900 |
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“We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We
grow old because we stop playing.” - George
Bernard Shaw |
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Thank
you to all
of our EXTRAordinary November
Volunteers! Sigal, Orly, and all of the IAC Volunteers;
Our KC LIVE and KC On-Screen volunteers: Ellis, Howard C, Debbie,
Elinor, Rachel, Phoebe, Rosie, Howard G, Sydney, Pat, Mary Ann,
Mona, The Doyles, Spencer, Ciara, Jasmine, Tony, Elizabeth, Ben,
Donny, Sharon D, and Marina. Lastly, a big thanks goes out to our
dedicated crew of Phone Pal callers: Kate, Louise, Phoebe, Marla,
Edward, Nancy, Rachel, Sydney, Lisa, Linda, and Lexi. We could
not offer KC@Home without you. We hope you know how many lives
you have touched this month with your generous hearts. Thank you.
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The JCA
Gorlitz Kensington Club will be closed from November
25th beginning at 1pm to November 29 for Thanksgiving Break Happy
Thanksgiving from the Kensington Club@Home team! |
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| JCA
Gorlitz Kensington Club Staff | · Colleen
M. Kemp, CTRS – Director, Social Adult Day Programs for Early
Stage Memory Loss ckemp@accessjca.org
· Karen
Miller, CTRS – Manager, KC LIVE karen.miller@accessjca.org
· Dana
Tate –
Coordinator, KC On-Screen dtate@accessjca.org
· Lily
Groh -
Coordinator, Phone Pals lgroh@accessjca.org
· Louise
Schneider, Susan Harris and Gail Goldfarb, Activity Leaders |
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Jewish
Council for the Aging of Greater Washington "Jewish
Council for the Aging", "JCA" and "Helping
All Seniors Thrive" are registered trademarks of the Jewish
Council for the Aging of Greater Washington, Inc. Visit us
at AccessJCA.org.© 2020 Jewish Council for the
Aging® All rights reserved. |
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