Winter 2021 Vol. 24 No.1 Fall 2020 Vol. 23 No. 3 Changes in Care Before and During COVID-19 COVID-19 vs. Influenza The Latest in Alzheimer's Research Our Mission: To provide educational programs, support services and assistance to caregivers, families and individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia. What's Inside: Support Groups - Pages 4 & 5 Page 7 Page 9 Caregiver's Corner Guest Article Changes in Our Loved One’s Care Before and During COVID Time for Your Flu Vaccine Page 10 Page 17 Research Corner From Your Editor The Latest in Research Parkinson’s Executive Director Administrative Manager Contact Information Kathleen Winters Alicia Vegerano Alzheimer’s Family Organization Board President Community Educators PO BOX 15489 Lori Wilson Brooksville FL 34604 The Villages & Marion County Board Vice President Jackie Kuhn-Damron Bill Tuttle Telephone: 352-616-0170 574-721-1177 Email: [email protected] Board Treasurer [email protected] Tyler Borowski www.alzheimersfamily.org Lake County & S. Sumter Board Secretary Jamilya Rahming Alexander Powell Vision Statement 352-396-2614 All those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of Board Members dementia, and their caregivers, will have a [email protected] Sharon Doncourt better quality of life. Ron Francis III Peg Pickett Ed Spinks The “Caregiver’s Companion” is published quarterly by Dr. Mary Stedman /AFO.FL The Alzheimer’s Family Organization. The Alzheimer’s Editor Family Organization disclaims any liability for damages resulting from articles, opinions, advertising, or Bill Tuttle AlzFamilyOrg representations expressed or implied in this publication. Design Any comments or claims are made solely by the individual author and do not necessarily represent the Jamilya Rahming views of any other Alzheimer’s Family Organization Contributing Authors Alzheimer’s Family Organization member or other persons, living or dead. Vicky Martinez All materials in this newsletter is offered as information to our readers. The Alzheimer’s Family Organization does James Finnigan not warrant, endorse, or recommend any provider, Ann Gayle program, or product. Jeff Pohlig The Alzheimer’s Family Organization conforms to the Florida “solicitations of Contributions Act” pertaining to charitable Dr. Lauren Dedea organizations: “A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE (1- 800-HELP FLA) REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.” Winter 2021 Vol. 24 No. 1 Image Credits: Jackie Kuhn-Damron, Suzy Hazelwood, Geralt, Pexels, Pixabay 2 Alzheimer's Family Organization - Caregiver's Companion WORDS FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Happy New Year! Wow! It is 2021...it is hard to believe! I can’t say that I am sad to see 2020 be in the past. This year was a very trying time for all of us. All united under the same cloud of isolation, challenges, hardships, and fears. It is amazing that a virus that is so small it cannot be seen with the naked eye can bring an entire world to a halt. I am entering 2021 with hope and a vision for a better year for all. The AFO suffered tremendous financial hardship in 2020, but through the support of caregivers and the community at large, we are still here supplying services. The AFO was blessed to be covered in eleven newspaper articles and one television interview of our hardship and the community came through to support us. We look a bit different than we did, down to just four staff, our office closed, working out of our homes, providing support groups and educational events virtually, but we are here none the less! We are still offering our programs except for the Respite Care Financial Reimbursement Program as funds are not available currently. We will re-visit for 2022. The staff and I are slowly being able to be out more in the community, wearing our masks and supporting caregivers through home visits, meeting at outdoor space, or whatever is most comfortable for all parties involved. Our LEADER Task Force made strides in 2020 with meetings commencing via Zoom platform. Of the eight-county service area seven Sheriff’s Offices and one Police Dept. Were regulars at the meetings. A quick card was developed for deputies and officers, social workers and victim advocates. The Sheriff’s Summit plans are underway with the event being hopefully hosted in Hernando County this year and will be held on the first Friday in May as it has been in years past. The Task Force has recommended the Summit be rotated each year offering each county to host. Many of our support groups have continued via Zoom or conference call, and some have begun to meet face to face wearing masks and keeping with social distancing guidelines. Everyone has had to make concessions and accommodations due to Covid-19, but everyone is doing the best they can. With that said, we have decided to continue or educational series virtually until we see how the year progresses. We have all eleven months planned and the speakers confirmed. You can see the list in this issue of the Caregivers Companion. As this new year begins, all of us at the AFO wish you all the best, good health, safety and care. Please feel free to reach out to us at (352) 616-0170 or each of the Community Educators. Their contact information is: Jackie Kuhn-Damron at (574) 721-1177 or Jamilya Rahming at (352) 396-2614. The AFO stays committed to the needs of caregivers and the communities that we serve. We are only a phone call away. Peace to you. Respectfully, Kathleen M. Winters, Executive Director Alzheimer's Family Organization - Caregiver's Companion 3 AFO SUPPORT GROUPS People touched by Alzheimer’s disease and other related diseases come together in a confidential, safe environment to vent their frustrations, develop and share coping techniques, learn more about the disease and discover what resources are available to them. All support groups are facilitated by trained individuals. Due to COVID-19, please call the support group leader for more information. Timber Pines Country Club CITRUS Lake Port Square (Gated Community – must register with Sue to attend) Cornerstone Baptist Church (Must Call To Make Appointment) Lodge - Oak Room 1100 W. Highland Blvd, Inverness, FL 34452 600 Lake Port Blvd, Leesburg, FL 34748 6872 Timber Pines Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34606 3rd Wednesday of the month at 1:30 PM Every Wednesday of the month at 1:30 PM 2nd Thursday of the month at 10:00 AM Leader: Debbie Selsavage 352-422-3663 Leader: Allison Church 352-728-8525, x232 Leader: Sue Simone 203-725-6888 Crystal River Library Lakeview Terrace 8619 Crystal St, Crystal River, FL 34428 HILLSBOROUGH 331 Raintree Dr, Altoona, FL 32702 2nd Thursday of the month at 1:30 PM 2nd Tuesday of the month at 1:30 PM Arden Courts of Tampa Leader: Cheryl Fletcher 352-409-5360 Leader: Debbie Selsavage 352-422-3663 (Please Call To Make Appointment) Lake Ridge Village Senior Helpers 14950 Casey Rd, Tampa, FL 33624 353 W Ardice Ave, Eustis, FL 32726 587 E Gulf To Lake Hwy, Lecanto, FL 34461 Frontal Temporal Degeneration & Alzheimer’s 3rd Thursday of the month at 3:00 PM 1st Friday of the month at 1:30 PM 2nd Sunday of the month at 1:00 PM Leader: Carolyn Costello 804-615-1117 Call Office for more information - 352-835-7191 Co-Leaders: Mary Anne Upham 813-786-8388 North Lake Presbyterian Church Doris Hogan 813-486-0554 HERNANDO 975 Rolling Acres Rd, Lady Lake, FL 32159 The Colonnade at Northdale Atria Evergreen Woods 1st Wednesday of the month at 1:00 PM 3401 W Bearss Ave, Tampa, FL 33618 Pool Clubhouse Leader: Louise Shuey 352-753-8262 2nd Tuesday of each month at 10:30 AM 7030 Evergreen Woods Trl, Spring Hill 34608 3rd Wednesday of the month at 1:00 PM Leader: Wenona Spencer 813-961-1044 2nd Tuesday of the month at 1:00 PM Co-Leaders: Louise Shuey 352-753-8262 2nd Saturday of the month at 4:00 PM LAKE Don Dati 352-259-5363 Leader: Lori Wilson 352-596-2055 Bridgewater at Waterman Village North Lake Presbyterian Church Bayfront Health Brooksville (Free Respite Care During Meeting) Early Stage Group (for early stage patients) Medical Arts Bldg. – Ste.120 500 Waterman Ave, Mt. Dora, FL 32757 Fellowship Center Room 2 17222 Hospital Blvd, Brooksville, FL 34601 3rd Wednesday of the month at 1:30 PM 975 Rolling Acres Rd, Lady Lake, FL 32159 2nd & 4th Monday of the month at 1:00 PM Co-Leaders: Coleen Connolly 352-383-0051, x313 1st and 3rd Friday of the month at 10:00 AM Co-Leaders: Donna Alford 813-469-5024 Chaplain Robert Nickell 352-383-0051, x229 Leader: Louise Shuey 352-753-8262 Bill Tuttle 813-712-9058 Madison at Clermont Osprey Lodge Assisted Living & Memory Care Bible Baptist Church 650 E. Minnehaha Ave, Clermont, FL 34711 (Free Respite Care During Meeting) 15901 Little Ranch Rd, Spring Hill, FL 34610 1st Wednesday of the month at 4:00 PM 1761 Nightingale Ln, Tavares, FL 32778 2nd Tuesday of the month at 9:00 AM Co-Leaders: Paul Clews 352-241-0844 3rd Tuesday of the month Leader: Sandy Locke 727-856-6815 Ashley Alvarez Alzheimer’s Café: 11:30 AM - 12:30PM East Hernando Library Chapel of Christian Faith Support Group: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM 6457 Windmere Rd., Brooksville, FL 34602 1401 Paradise Drive, Lady Lake, FL 32159 Leader: Ruth Cantillon 352-253-5100 2nd Tuesday of the month at 11:00 AM 3rd Thursday of the month at 10:00 AM Leader: Glorea Charland 352-754-4043 MARION Leader: Martha Hyatt 352-748-7633 Forest Oaks of Spring Hill Brookdale Canopy Oaks (Please RSVP) Clermont Arts & Recreation Center 8055 Forest Oaks Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34606 9070 SW 80th Ave, Ocala, FL 34481 Virtual Group 1st Wednesday of the month at 11:00 AM 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month at 2:00 PM 1st Monday of the month at 4:00 PM Co-Leaders: Leigh Dingle 352-683-3323 Leader: Mikaela Saunderson 813-860-4282 Co-Leaders: Courtney Schmidt.