Free Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Workshops and Film

Courtesy of United Methodist Communities at The Shores
and Delaware Valley Alzheimer’s Association

Every 65 seconds in virtually every place in America, someone develops Alzheimer’s Disease. While 5.8 million Americans currently live with the disease, by 2050 the number is expected to rise to 14 million. Without a cure, the number of unpaid caregivers will also climb far above its current 16 million.

Pamela Garofolo, corporate manager of Tapestries®, United Methodist Communities (UMC), will present two educational workshops at the Ocean City Free Public Library, 1735 Simpson Avenue, Ocean City, NJ. The first, Diagnosis and Decisions, will occur on Wednesday, April 17, 6pm to 7pm. Attendees will learn about the signs, benefits of a proper diagnosis, staging, and prognosis. Ms. Garofolo will also cover the meaning of treatment, as well as treatment options, including comfort care.

The second workshop scheduled for Wednesday, May 15, 6pm to 7pm, focuses on Making the Most of your Time Together. Ms. Garofolo will talk about building upon practical tools for the caregiver’s toolbox, reality orientation vs. validation therapy, communication, distress, and finding joy.

Ms. Garofolo stated, “We are eager to share our knowledge and experience with the greater community and to have such great support and the resources of the Alzheimer’s Association.”

The Delaware Valley Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association will bring two days of free programming at UMC at The Shores, 2201 Bay Avenue, Ocean City. Wednesday, April 10 includes a morning session from 9am to 12noon, and another from 5pm to 8pm. Speaker Lori La Bey will lead a discussion, A Day in the Life of Dementia. The learning goals are to equip participants’ with key elements for being a better care partner, capturing joyful moments, and reaction awareness.

Also at The Shores on the second day, Thursday, April 11, two screenings of A Timeless Love, a film also known as His Neighbor Phil, will air. The first showing starts at 10am and ends at 12noon; the second runs from 6pm to 8pm. After watching, attendees will discuss the film about love, devotion and Alzheimer’s. The takeaways for caregivers are practical tips, tools, and resources needed to shift from crisis to comfort; how the illness impacts relationships; how and why caring roles change; and what is normal.

Both organizations focus on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. United Methodist Communities at The Shores, a senior living community in Ocean City, offers Tapestries Memory Care. The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. To reserve a spot, please call 609-399-8505.

United Methodist Communities at The Shores offers Residential and Assisted Living, Respite Care, Short-Term Rehab, Long-Term Care, Tapestries® Memory Care, and Bridges Hospice and Palliative Care. To schedule a personal tour, talk about how we can meet your specific needs, or obtain additional information, visit UMCommunities.org/TheShores or call Ryan Champion at 609-399-8505.