December 2010 A SPECIAL MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR CAREGIVERS VOL. 14 Issue 12 Education Corner Happy Holidays? For some, happy and holiday do NOT go together. The holiday stress starts about November and doesn t end until after the New Year. It takes its toll on everyone, but caregivers are especially prone to succumbing to the extra frustrations and fatigue the season brings. The common song sung is not all is calm, all is bright but Grandma got run over by a reindeer! The season of giving has special meaning for those who care for persons with Alzheimer s or a related disease their lives have no end of giving! Is it possible for caregivers to enjoy the holidays? The probability increases if one applies some of the following tips: Create new traditions This is a new chapter in life; rethink your expectations and start traditions that fit your current lifestyle. Expect the unexpected Keep in mind that things probably won t go as planned, so plan for it! Don t allow a change in plans to spoil the day. Keep normal routines intact Maintain the usual schedule. Changing familiar surroundings can lead to confusion. Extra cords, fragile decorations, and piles of gifts can be hazards to both the caregiver and the patient. Watch holiday movies together Rent an old movie or watch a symphony on television and enjoy precious memories. Ask for help! When things get tough, call a friend, a support group buddy, your Case Manager or Family Nurse Consultant, or the 24 Hour Crisis Line (800) 394-1771. You don t have to go it alone! Have truly Happy Holidays! At Alzheimer s Community Care Character Counts! The mission of Alzheimer's Community Care is to promote and provide specialized, quality, compassionate care within a community-based environment to patients and caregivers living with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Sponsored by Alzheimer s Community Care, Inc. and the State of Florida Department of Elder Affairs, State of Florida Agency for Health Care Administration and the Area Agency on Aging Palm Beach/Treasure Coast Inc.
HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS Tis the season! As the holidays quickly approach, many of you may be searching for gift ideas. Remember, activity resources that appeal to the interests of your loved one can make excellent gifts. Below are just a few ideas: Bingo set (in large print) Jumbo Playing Cards (can also be great fro sorting activities) Old Time Radio Shows (available on tape and CD s) Painting Kits (with non toxic paints) Puzzles (not too challenging or overwhelming) Trivia Games (especially those that focus on trivia from years past) At our Specialized Adult Day Service Centers, we purchase many of our activity products from activity supply companies. If you are interested in perusing the many resources available or you are interested in purchasing an activity item that you have seen us use in one of our centers, please refer to the information below! Our best to all of you this holiday season! Nasco Senior Activities 1-800-558-9595 www.enasco.com/senioractivities S&S Worldwide 1-800-243-9232 www.ssww.com Alzheimer s Store www.alzstore.com GREENACRES SPECIALIZED ADULT DAY SERVICE CENTER Alzheimer s Community Care is currently seeking a new location for our Greenacres Specialized Adult Day Service Center. If you know of a Church or Community Center in the Greenacres/Palm Springs area that may be able to host our Center, please contact Ron Radcliffe, VP of Community Care Services 561-683-2700.
REMINDERS All Specialized Adult Day Service Centers will be CLOSED On Friday, December 24th for the Christmas Holiday And Friday, December 31st for New Year s Day SUPPORT GROUP ANNOUNCEMENTS Delray Beach (New Location) Lake Worth (New Location) 1st, 3rd & 5th Wednesdays Every Wednesday 1:30-3:00 pm 2:00-4:00 p.m. Our Savior Lutheran Church Seacrest Presbyterian Church 1615 Lake Avenue 2703 N. Seacrest Blvd. Lake Worth, FL 33160 Delray Beach, FL 33444 For more information call For more information call Johansy Cano, RN Christina Wilson, LPN ( 561) 432-0668 Boca Raton (New Men Only Group) 1st & 3rd Thursdays 10:00-11:30 a.m. Advent Square Dining Room 4798 North Dixie Highway Boca Raton, FL For more information call Janet Zweiback, RN
Southern Palm Beach County Janet Zweiback, RN Boynton Beach & Western Palm Beach County Christina Wilson, LPN Family Nurse Consultants Greenacres, Central Palm Beach County (Spanish Speaking) Johansy Cano, RN (561) 432-0668 West Palm Beach and Northern Palm Beach County Jo Ellen Smith, RN (561) 683-2700 Riviera Beach Sharon Garrison, RN (561) 842-0472 St. Lucie County Sarah Dale, RN (772) 460-9166 Martin County Dana Forman, RN (772) 223-6351 24 Hour Crisis Line - 1-800-394-1771 Alzheimer s Community Care - Support Group Schedule Boca Raton Every Wednesday 10:00-11:30 a.m. Advent Square 4798 N. Dixie Hwy Boca Raton, FL 33431 Call Janet Zweiback, RN Boca Raton (men only) 1st & 3rd Thursdays 10:00 11:30 am Advent Square (Dining Room) 4798 North Dixie Highway Boca Raton, FL Call Janet Zweiback, RN Delray Beach (new location) 1st, 3rd & 5th Wednesdays 2:00-4:00 p.m. Seacrest Presbyterian Church 2703 N. Seacrest Blvd. Delray Beach, FL 33444 Call Christina Wilson, LPN Call Jupiter Every Wednesday 2:15-4:00 pm First United Methodist Church 815 E. Indiantown Rd. Jupiter, FL 33477 Call Jo Ellen Smith, RN (561) 683-2700 Lake Worth (new location) Every Wednesday 1:30-3:00 pm Our Savior Lutheran Church 1615 Lake Avenue Lake Worth, FL 33160 Johansy Cano, RN (561) 432-0668 Riviera Beach Bi-Weekly 4:00-6:00 pm Blue Heron Church of God 2600 Avenue H West Riviera Beach, FL 33404 Call Sharon Garrison, RN (561) 842-0472 West Palm Beach Every Tuesday 1:30 3:30 p.m. 800 Northpoint Parkway, Ste. 101-B West Palm Beach, FL 33407 Call Jo Ellen Smith, RN (561) 683-2700 Fort Pierce 1st & 3rd Mondays 10:30 am - 12:00 noon St. Peter s Lutheran Church 2900 South Jenkins Road Fort Pierce, FL 34981 Call Sarah Dale, RN (772) 460-9166 Stuart Every Thursday 1:00-3:00 p.m. Stuart Congregational Church 3110 SE Aster Lane Stuart, FL 34994 Call Dana Forman, RN Call (772) 223-6351 Stuart Every Wednesday 2:00-4:00 p.m. Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 2200 N. Federal Hwy. Stuart, FL 34994 Dana Forman, RN Call (772) 223-6351 Port St. Lucie 2nd & 4th Fridays 1:00-2:30 p.m. First Congregational Church 2401 SE Sidonia Street Port St. Lucie, FL Call Sarah Dale, RN (772) 460-9166
Specialized Adult Day Service Centers December Special Events Calendar Boca Raton 2nd Play the Dreidel Game 3rd Jewish Culture & Heritage Presentation 6th Put up Holiday Tree 6th - 10th Make Stockings 13th Men s Group with Ron 14th Advent Chorus Performs 16th Health Focus 17th Current Events with Rodney 29th Karaoke with Harold 30th Happy NOON Year s Eve Party Delray Beach 2nd History of Hanukkah & the Menorah 6th Put up the Holiday Tree 1st - 10th Make Holiday Gifts 15th Health Focus 17th Letters to Soldiers 20th Holiday Dinner 30th New Year s Happy Hour - Countdown to 2011 Fort Pierce 6th Crafts - Holiday Cookies 9th Health Focus 13th Crafts - Holiday Wreath 16th Entertainment by Dana Matthews 20th Crafts - Holiday Stockings 30th New Year s Eve Party Greenacres 1st - 6th Holiday Crafts 9th - 13th Let s Make Holiday Pictures 13th Health Focus 14th Exhibition of Holiday Pictures 21st Show & Tell What do you like about winter? 30th New Year s Resolutions 30th Birthday Party Lake Worth 1st Apple Fest 8th Karaoke with Harold 9th Crafts - Holiday Ornaments 15th Baking - Lemon Cupcakes 16th Special Snack - Chocolate 17th Special Snack - Pancakes 21st Baking - Coconut Cones 22nd Special Snack - Peanut Treats 23rd Holiday Tea 30th Health Focus North Stuart 9th Trim the Tree 10th Ice Cream Social 15th Hot Dog Lunch 16th Entertainment by Bruce & Harold 29th Health Focus 30th Guitar with Dana Pahokee 2nd Health Focus 7th Crafts - Gingerbread & Holiday Stockings 10th Craft - Angel Spoons 23rd Gift Exchange, Holiday Party & BBQ Lunch 30th New Year s Brunch Every Tuesday - Gospel Group Palm Beach Gardens 1st Make Ornaments 7th Pet Therapy 10th Decorate the Holiday Tree 15th Make Holiday Cards 17th Culinary Bread Bake & Cookie Exchange 27th Health Focus 30th New Year/Birthday Celebration Every Friday - Music Therapy Riviera Beach 1st Decorate the Holiday Tree 3rd Let s Bake Cookies 6th Health Focus 16th Craft - Holiday Cards 17th Holiday Party 22nd Craft - Holiday Bookmark Stuart 1st Trim a Tree with Memories 2nd Entertainment with Dana Matthews 10th Let s Make Reindeer Cookies & Holiday Cards 15th Field Trip to Tuckahoe Mansion 16th Health Focus 17th Let s Decorate Gift Boxes & Make Holiday Pins 30th New Year s Celebration West Palm Beach 7th Cotton Candy Day - Special Treat 10th Birthday Celebration 16th Health Focus 17th Pancake Breakfast 21st Flannel PJ Day - Wear your PJ s 23rd Eggnog Day - Special Treat 28th Quilters Day - Make a Quilt 30th New Year s Party Every Wednesday - Music Therapy
Creative Corner (Activities to do with loved ones at home) GREETING CARD PLACEMATS Wondering what to do with all those holiday cards that are too pretty to throw away? Get out the scissors and turn them into seasonal placemats. Supplies Needed Holiday Cards Scissors Clear Contact Paper Construction Paper Glue White Glitter (Optional) Instructions: 1. Cut out desired pictures and sections of the cards. 2. Arrange the pictures in a collage on a sheet of construction paper and glue them into place. 3. Cut two equal-sized pieces of clear contact paper, slightly larger than the construction paper. 4. Center the back side of the construction paper on the first sheet. Press smooth. 5. At this point, if you wish to add a snow effect, sprinkle the white glitter lightly over your picture. 6. Place the second sheet of clear contact paper on top and seal. Submitted by: Kathleen Bierman, Activity Coordinator Palm Beach Gardens Specialized Adult Day Service Center