A PUBLICATION OF BETHESDA HEALTH GROUP, INC. Fall 2013 Volume 52 No. 4

www.BethesdaHealth.org

Bethesda Named 2013 “Pathways toGreatness” Award Recipient!!!

At Bethesda, the commitment that our staff exhibits everyday when caring for the needs of our residents and theirfamilies is quite apparent. It’s also easy to see the devotion ofour volunteers as they make the lives of everyone they toucha little bit better.

Because when you are working or volunteering at Bethesda,your commitment is written on your sleeve. You want to helpevery resident, every family member, every person you can.Often it means long hours, and clearly it’s a labor of love.

It’s hard to achieve this level of commitment, day in and dayout. And every once in a while, you’re fortunate enough tohave that commitment validated.

For all of us at Bethesda, that time is now!

Just as we are getting ready to celebrate our 125th anniversary of serving St. Louis seniors and theirfamilies, Bethesda is extremely proud to announce that we have been named the recipient of the2013 “Pathways to Greatness” award!

This national honor, which is awarded to only one senior living, care and services organization per year,recognizes quality, innovation and excellence, and the impact that their initiatives and programs haveon people’s lives. The selection commitee is comprised of a panel of national industry experts, includingprevious winners and CEOs from across the nation who are leading organizations like ours.

According to CliftonLarsonAllen, a sponsor of the “Pathways to Greatness” program along withLeadingAge, Bethesda demonstrated strength in response to its customer’s needs and expectations;commitment to integrating technology to improve care with better patient outcomes, and partneringwith other providers in the community.

“We couldn’t have won this without the commitment and dedication of everyone associated withBethesda,” said Joe Brinker, President and CEO of Bethesda. “This award indicates that we are doing alot of things right as we continue our journey to care for and provide for our residents and their families.What a tremendous achievement – we should all be very proud!”

More information on this tremendous achievement can be found on the Bethesda website(www.BethesdaHealth.org) and Facebook page. Congratulations to all of us at Bethesda – we did it!

The Bethesda contingent attending the LeadingAgenational conference celebrate as they receive theprestigious “Pathways to Greatness” award.

Board of Directors

Joseph E. Birk, Jr.

Chairman

John W. Rowe *

Vice Chairman

Joseph J. Brinker

President and CEO

David M. Culver *

Treasurer

Kenneth J. Bower

George W. Clements, Jr. *

Thomas J. Harris

Philip A. Hutchison

Kenneth J. Kolkmeier

Gary L. Mayes

Susan G. Moore

Richard C. Mueller, Jr.

Fred H. Perabo

Advisory Board

John P. Baird *

Robert S. Barrett

Thomas E. Bayer, Jr.

Thomas R. Collins*

Earl K. Dille *

Robert C. Drews, M.D.

Benjamin F. Edwards IV

James H. Esther, M.D.

David L. Fleisher *

Franc E. Flotron

Earle H. Harbison, Jr.

Juanita H. Hinshaw *

Harry V. Kennedy

Ruth A. Kohl

Peter B. Krombach

Sally S. Lilly

John W. McClure*

Subodh K. Mehra, M.D.

J. Dale Meier

James A. Mills

John F. Norwood

Catherine M. Reiss

James F. Sertl, M.D.

Jacqueline R. Shillington

Elizabeth G. Sims

Joan S. Whitford

Stephen W. Woodard

* Former Chairman of the Board

Women’s Board

Carroll A. Baechle

Sue C. Bahle

Inky Ball

Judy Bass

Florence N. Baur

Joan Bayer

Jean M. Bouchard

Antoinette C. Breihan

Susan M. Brinker

Jane D. Bryan

Martha Anne Bull

Fran Burns

Patricia M. Bushman

Barbara B. Clements, President

Marian F. Desloge

Martha V. Dille

Lorene Drews

Jane B. Evans

Michelle M. Glass

Susan M. Goodman

Suzanne S. Harbison

Dorothy D. Harper

Mary Harris

Juanita H. Hinshaw*

Jane C. Hughes

Christy James

Katherine E. Joslin

Patricia P. Kapsar

Babs Kolkmeier

Susan R. Krombach

Sally S. Lilly

Erle Lionberger

Susan E. Logie

Katherine Lupo

Lorraine A. Magee

Ann McCandless

Lydia Meier

Dessa Morrow

Nancy J. O’Brien

Ricki O’Meara

Julie Poelker, Treasurer

Virginia R. Rowe

Jo Schnellman

Margaret L. Schoor

Mary M. Sertl, Membership

Jacqueline M. Shillington

Elizabeth G. Sims

Audrey Smith

Frances B. Stuhl

Amy J. Trau

Joyce Ulrich

Sue I. Voorhees

Georgee G. Waldman

Joan S. Whitford

Skilled Nursing Care

Bethesda Dilworth9645 Big Bend Boulevard

Oakland, Missouri 63122

(314) 968-5460

Muriel C. Van Oordt

Vice President and Senior Administrator

Victoria Schmidleutner, Resident Services

Michael Tooley, Chaplain

Joseph Flaherty, M.D., Medical Director

Charlene Zinkl, Auxiliary President

Bethesda Meadow 322 Old State Road

Ellisville, Missouri 63021

(636) 227-3431

Candice E. Brown, Administrator

Donna Saltzman, Resident Services

Reverend Howard Gleason, Chaplain

Hany Salama, M.D., Medical Director

Ruth Kohl, Auxiliary President

Bethesda Southgate 5943 Telegraph Road

Oakville, Missouri 63129

(314) 846-2000

Christine E. Crouch

Vice President and Senior Administrator

Sarita Weldon, Resident Services

Rita McShea, Chaplain

Patrick McCann, M.D., Medical Director

Assisted Living, Rehab & TherapyCharless Village5943 Telegraph Road

St. Louis, Missouri 63129

(314) 606-9891

Christine E. Crouch

Vice President and Senior Administrator

Sarita Weldon, Resident Services

Senior Independent Living

Bethesda Barclay House230 South Brentwood Boulevard

Clayton, Missouri 63105

(314) 725-1000

Nathan M. Torno, General Manager

Sherry Ehrler, Sales Counselor

Bethesda Gardens420 South Kirkwood Road

Kirkwood, Missouri 63122

(314) 965-8100

Mitchell Beuke, General Manager

and Sales Counselor

Bethesda Orchard21 North Old Orchard Avenue

Webster Groves, Missouri 63119

(314) 963-2100

Wade L. Hachman, General Manager

Kelly Maier, Sales Counselor

Bethesda Terrace2535 Oakmont Terrace Drive

Oakville, Missouri 63129

(314) 846-6400

Andrea L. Snyder, Senior General Manager

Marie Bartels, Sales Counselor

The Oaks at BethesdaBig Bend Boulevard (West of Berry Road)

Oakland, Missouri 63122

(314) 372-5839

Mitchell Beuke, General Manager

and Sales Counselor

Management Committee and Corporate Administration

Joseph J. Brinker, President and Chief Executive Officer

R. Kenneth Bass, Jr., Senior Vice President, Senior Living

Larry D. Hickman, Senior Vice President, Administrative Services and Chief Information Officer

Katherine E. Joslin, Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Marketing

Patricia P. Kapsar, Senior Vice President, Compliance

Alphonse D. Poelker, Senior Vice President, Strategic Development

Amy J. Trau, Senior Vice President, Healthcare Services

Pamela E. Dempski, Corporate Vice President and Director of Fund Development

Bethesda’s mission is to be the premier provider of care and services for seniors in the markets we serve, while maintaining financial strength and providing fulfilling career opportunities.

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Bethesda Marketing Staff

Senior Outreach CoordinatorLee Williams

Marketing Project CoordinatorTiffany Clancy

Bethesda Health Group Foundation

Pamela E. Dempski

(314) 800-1981

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Home and Community-Based Services

Bethesda Hospice Care(314) 446-0623

Dana E. Airsman, Director

Hany Salama, M.D., Medical Director

Bethesda Senior Support Solutions(Formerly Bethesda Private Duty)

(314) 963-2200

Michelle M. Glass, Vice President

Bethesda Senior Therapy Center(314) 218-2610

Amy J. Trau, Corporate Vice President

Corey Solman, M.D., Medical Director

Bethesda Rehab & Therapy Centers(Medicare A Rehabilitation)

(314) 277-9959

Thomas E. Miskle, Executive Director

Adult Day Care at Bethesda Dilworth(314) 446-2103 - Terrie Massey, Supervisor

Adult Day Care at Charless Village(314) 606-9891 - Sarita Weldon, Admissions

St. Andrews & Bethesda Home Health(314) 218-2600

Linda L. Goggio, Director

Hany Salama, M.D., Interim Medical Director

Community Care CoordinatorTerri Glaze – (314) 800-1911

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PULSE staff

Executive Editor - Katherine E. Joslin

Editor - Jeffrey R. Waldman

Designer - Pamela S. Moore

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Bethesda Information Resource Line 314-800-1911

“Computer Comfort” Program ChangingResidents’ Lives

For many of us, starting the computer, connecting to theInternet, and setting up and using our e-mail are things thatwe can practically do in our sleep.

If you haven’t had a reason to learn how to perform thesefunctions, or didn’t have anyone willing to teach you, youmay feel completely out of the loop. Sometimes, though, allyou need is for someone to show an interest and a willingnessto help.

At Bethesda, that person is Harris Frank. Harris, who is quitecomputer savvy, noticed that some of his fellow residents atBethesda Barclay House (Clayton) were in need of someassistance as they tried to operate their computers or theones provided at the independent living community.

He contacted a friend – Dr. Mahendra Gupta, the dean at theOlin School of Business at Washington University, and beforeyou could say “Google,” a group of students from the AlphaKappa Psi business fraternity were on site, teaching a five-session program called “Computer Comfort” that involved anumber of eager residents.

“It didn’t take me long to realize that this was a valuedcommodity that could benefit a lot of people who had little orno previous computer experience,” said Harris.

So Harris began working to expand the program to othersenior communities. A series of classes just finished at BethesdaOrchard (Webster Groves) that involved a number of residentsas well as two Bethesda Orchard resident ambassadors, MartyHolland and Joan Whitford, who provided assistance to theparticipants along with the Washington University students.

“It was gratifying to see them on the computers at BarclayHouse the day after a session, because it was like a wholenew world had opened up for them,” said Harris.

According to the participants, the sessions have been timewell spent, as they really have developed “ComputerComfort.”

“I have five children and eight grandchildren, and some ofthem have complained that the only way they can talk to meis over the phone, and that everyone else is using email thesedays,” said Ruth Hohmeier, a Bethesda Orchard resident anda participant in the class. “I didn’t come to the class lookingto be an expert – I just wanted to be able to communicatewith my family. I’m just glad there isn’t going to be a grade forthe class!”

Ruth and her fellow residents needn’t worry. If there weregrades to give out, each one of them would receive an “A” –as well as the knowledge that any fear they had of using acomputer is gone, and they are able to use it for newsgathering, “surfing” or, like Ruth, staying in touch with family.

Bethesda Orchard residents receive one-on-one helpduring a “Computer Comfort” session.

Remembering Marian Clifford

The Bethesda communitymourns the loss of MarianFoster Clifford, whopassed away after a longbattle with pancreaticcancer. She was 72.

Marian had been servingin the position ofSecretary of the 2013Bethesda Board ofDirectors, and had served

as a Bethesda Board Member for the previoussix years.

Marian was also very active in the CharlessFoundation, serving as President of both theCharless Foundation and the Board of Trusteesof The Charless Home.

When Bethesda took over The Charless Homein 2006, Marian remained committed to theideals embodied in the Charless Foundationthat were shared by Bethesda, and becamea valued member of the Bethesda team.

“Marian was thoughtful, insightful, and notafraid to ask hard questions. She was well-likedand well-respected by all, and she will bedeeply missed,” said Joe Brinker, BethesdaPresident and CEO.

Marian is survived by her husband, Nicholas,their three sons, two brothers and a sister, andher five grandchildren.

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Bethesda Health Group, Inc. www.BethesdaHealth.org

“Medicine in the Civil War”

David Meyers, M.D., M.P.H., a cardiologist at St. Luke’s Hospital,presented “Medicine in the Civil War” during the Fall Women’s BoardLuncheon at the Deer Creek Club.

Dr. Meyers is a member of the Society of Civil War Surgeons, and haslectured on the unique circumstances of caring for patients during theCivil War for nearly as long as he has practiced medicine (30 years).Dressed in period attire, he discusses the surgical techniques usedduring the war, as well as the predominance of disease as a cause ofdeath.

More than 50 members and guests turned out to hear Dr. Meyers’fascinating talk. For more information on how you can join and enjoythe benefits of the Women’s Board, please contact the BethesdaHealth Group Foundation at 314-800-1981.

Bennett Awarded First King Scholarship

“At an early age, Iknew I wanted tobe a nurse,” saysShamekia Bennett,a licensedpractical nurse atBethesda Dilworth(Oakland). “Thereis no other career Iimagined myselfdoing.”

Thanks to the helpprovided by the

Mary June King Scholarship, as well as Bethesda’stuition assistance program, Shamekia is on her way torealizing her dream of becoming a registered nurse.

Based on her application, Shamekia was chosen to bethe first recipient of the Scholarship, established earlierthis year by Mary Brown in memory of her mother, aformer resident at Bethesda Dilworth. Mary wanted tocarry forth her mother’s legacy in a meaningful way,while also assisting our employees in their pursuit ofpost-secondary education or college-level study.

The scholarship is designed to help employees with thepurchase of books, a computer, or any resource theymay need as a student.

“As a single mom, employee and student, it is oftentough to juggle the finances,” Shameika said. “I am sograteful for the scholarship, which will help me pay forsome of the courses I am currently taking.”

The Mary June King Scholarship will be awardedannually in July to any eligible employee of Bethesda.

Schoemehl to Speak at Fall LegacySociety Luncheon

Vincent C. Schoemehl, Jr.,President and CEO of GrandCenter, Inc. (and former Mayor ofSt. Louis), will be the guest

speaker at the Nov. 21 LegacySociety Luncheon. The luncheon,which is open to any LegacySociety member, will be held atnoon at the newly renovatedCheshire Inn.

Many remember Schoemehl fromhis terms as one of the youngest Mayors in the UnitedStates. In his current position, Schoemehl is leadingthe efforts to advance the position of the GrandCenter District as St. Louis’ premier national culturaltourism destination.

The Grand Center District is home to 12,000 theatreseats in eight theaters and eight visual arts institutionsincluding three galleries, and over 30 additional not-for-profit arts organizations, all in an eight-block urbansetting. Each year more than 1,500 cultural eventsattract approximately 1.7 million people to the GrandCenter District.

The Bethesda Legacy Society is comprised of friendsof Bethesda who have donated gifts of $500 or more.Led by co-chairs Earle Harbison and Fred Perabo,more than 100 friends and their guests are expectedto turn out for this luncheon, and new members arewelcome to attend as well.

For more information about the Legacy Society,please call 314-800-1981.

Women’s Board members (L-R) Mary Sertl, JuliePoelker and Barbara Clements pose with Dr. DavidMeyers.

Shameika Bennett poses with Joe Brinker,President & CEO; Mary Brown; and KathyJoslin, Senior Vice President, HR/Marketing.

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Bethesda Information Resource Line 314-800-1911

Recognizing Good PeopleDoing Good Things

Have You Ever Considered Giving LifeInsurance as a Tax Deductible Gift?

If you are like many of us, you may have a life insurancepolicy tucked away in a drawer. Life insurance is an easyand cost-effective way to make a significant contribution toBethesda’s charitable mission. You may make a gift ofinsurance in several ways:

Donate a paid-up policy - You may make a gift byirrevocably transferring the ownership of the paid-up policyto Bethesda.

Designate Bethesda as Beneficiary - If you would like toretain ownership of your life insurance, you can designateBethesda as the beneficiary.

Donate an existing policy in which premiums are still beingpaid - You can irrevocably assign ownership of the policy toBethesda. Bethesda would continue to pay the premiums onthe policy with annual tax-deducted gifts that you make toBethesda equal to the amount of the premiums. Your taxdeduction is the cash value or total premium paid into thepolicy (whichever is less).

Donate a new policy - You may make a gift of life insuranceby taking out a new policy and naming Bethesda as theowner at the time the policy is issued. A gift of cash toBethesda would be used to purchase the policy, andsubsequent tax-deductible gifts would be made toBethesda in order for Bethesda to keep the policy active.

For legal or tax advice, please consult a tax professional.

Meet Deb Stanley, a loyal employee whohas been coming to work at Bethesda witha smile on her face for more than 41 years.Her title may be Medical Records Clerk atBethesda Dilworth (Oakland), but she doesso much more.

She spends much of her “spare” timeinteracting with the residents, ensuring thatthey are comfortable and their needs aremet. She helps in the Main Dining Room atmeal times, particularly at breakfast, andhas been known to provide little treats toresidents at her own expense.

As a new ambassador for “Hearts for OurHomes,” Deb bought Krispy Kreme donutsfor the residents to help ensure that theon-campus Rehab & Therapy Center hada successful fundraising campaign.

“Deb is always thinking of our residents,”says Sanna King, one of her BethesdaDilworth co-workers. “I often hear her in thehallways offering help and moral support tothem. She has a very gentle spirit.”

Many of Deb’s colleagues recognize andpraise her outstanding attitude and workethic, which has earned her numerous “Paton the Back” commendations. She wasrecognized as one of the longest-tenuredemployees in the industry throughLeadingAge (a senior living professionalorganization).

“It is well known that Deb is very committedto both our residents, as well as her fellowemployees,” says Rosemary Schmidt,Bethesda Dilworth’s Director of Nursing andDeb’s supervisor.

Deb Stanley

For more information about any of thestories or programs described onp. 4-5, please contact Pam Dempski atthe Bethesda Health Group Foundationby calling 314-800-1981 or emailingpedempski@BethesdaHealth.org.

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Bethesda Health Group, Inc. www.BethesdaHealth.org

Area First Responders Participate inDisaster Drill

At Bethesda, the safety of our residents andemployees is taken very seriously, which is why ourcommunities collaborate with first responders fromacross the area to participate in mock disaster drills.

In September, members of the Kirkwood Fire andPolice Departments, the Crestwood Fire Departmentand Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)volunteers joined the Bethesda Dilworth staff toconduct a mock evacuation drill.

Residents and family members were notified that thiswas only a drill. The residents themselves would not beinvolved in the evacuation, but their safety would be“addressed,” depending on the scenario.

The planned drill involved an approaching tornado,which resulted in damage to multiple campusbuildings and a fire in the main kitchen. The exercisebegan as a tornado watch but eventually escalatedinto a warning, and staff began moving residents intothe hallways for their “safety.”

A simulatedtornado strikewas thenreported to haveoccurred to twobuildings on thecampus, with afire breaking outin the mainkitchen. The staffmobilized tobegin evacuatingvolunteers posingas residents downstairwells to safeareas outside the building.

Per the appropriate protocol, fire trucks, ambulances,and incident command vehicles began arriving oncampus. They treated the drill as a real emergency,with fire personnel connecting hoses and teamsmoving into the buildings to begin assessing thesituation for rescue.

After about 25 minutes, the “All Clear” was given, withall “residents” (the CERT volunteers) safely identifiedand gathered.

Participants gathered for a post-drill evaluation andcritique to discuss ways to improve their performancein the event of a real emergency situation.

“Although there were plenty of things to improveupon, we were very pleased at the results of the drill,”said Dennis Eddlemon, Bethesda Dilworth FacilityManager and the coordinator of the disaster drill. “Weall learned a lot, and are looking forward to puttingwhat we learned into practice at our mockevacuation drill next year.”

Assistant Administrator Lynne Wiegert (center, facingcamera) shares information with her fellow BethesdaDilworth staff during the mock disaster drill.

Bethesda Offering Personal Emergency Medical Information Kit

Did you know that emergency responders highly recommend everyone to have emergency medicalinformation in their freezer – which is the one place that responders are trained to look?

That‘s why Bethesda is offering a Personal Emergency Medical Information Kit, complete with a data card thatprovides space for all vital information – emergency contacts, doctors, medications, pharmacy and hospital ofchoice, allergies – that an emergency responder might need.

The kit is free – all you need to do is go to your computer and put www.BethesdaHealth.org/safety in the top barand hit enter, and we’ll be happy to mail one to you.

For more information, please call 314-800-1967 or contact tmclancy@bethesdahealth.org.

Some of the first responders from Kirkwoodand Crestwood that participated in themock disaster drill arrive at BethesdaDilworth.

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Bethesda Information Resource Line 314-800-1911

Rowe and Morris Honored byLeadingAge Missouri

Hearty congratulations are extended to Bethesda’sLeadingAge Missouri award winners, John Rowe andBob Morris.

John, the current Vice Chairman of the BethesdaBoard of Directors and the former President and ChiefExecutive Officer of the organization, was presentedwith the 2013 E. Willis Piehl Award of Honor.

According to LeadingAge Missouri, this award ispresented to an individual who has made anoutstanding contribution to the mission and philosophyof a LeadingAge Missouri provider member.

John’s accomplishments at Bethesda are numerous,including expanding the geographical reach byadding four communities and putting theorganization’s emphasis on community based services(such as home health, private duty, rehab and therapyservices and hospice care).

Bob, a volunteer at Bethesda Meadow (Ellisville) andBethesda Hospice Care, received the 2013 Volunteer

of the Yearaward. Thisaward ispresented to avolunteer whohas performedsignificantvolunteerservice toresidents andhasdemonstratedunusualcommitment topreserve thedignity, well-being andindependence of residents.

Bob’s accomplishments include the creation of the“Boys of Bethesda” club at Bethesda Meadow, as wellas the coordination of the annual Mardi Gras paradeand Veterans Day celebration at the skilled nursingcommunity.

Congratulations to you both!

Congratulations, Ed!

Congratulations toEd Collins, doorattendant atBethesda BarclayHouse (Clayton),who was namedone of the winnersof the 2013 MissouriOlder Workeraward, sponsoredby the Departmentof Health andSenior Servicesand MERS/Goodwill.

Ed could be considered the “Ambassador” ofBethesda Barclay House. He works hard to track thehabits of many of the residents. He knows who gets upearly, and who has doctor’s appointments on whichday. His attentiveness has allowed him to notifymanagement about residents who weren’t feelingwell or were in need of assistance.

Rumor has it that Ed, who’s “only” 85, is consideringretirement. No one wants you to go, Ed, but if you do,it’s been a job well done – and congratulations onyour award!

Honorees Bob Morris (left) and John Rowecelebrate with their awards at the 2013 LeadingAge Missouri annual conference.

Congratulations, Marie!

Longtime BethesdaDilworth (Oakland)volunteer MarieZucchero, who hasserved as AuxiliaryPresident as well aspiano playerextraordinaire forthe “Ding-a-Lings”volunteer singing

group, can add one more feather to put into hercap.

Marie has been selected by the Fontbonne UniversityBoard of Trustees to receive the “2013 FontbonneFounders Award” for distinguished service anddedication through the joy of music.

“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this awardthan Marie,” said Muriel Van Oordt, Vice Presidentand Senior Administrator of Bethesda Dilworth. “Thejoy she brings whenever she plays for the residents isunmatched – and remarkable, when you considerhow well she plays at age 92, an age that exceedsthat of many of the residents for whom she plays!”

Congratulations, Marie, from all of us at Bethesda!

Ed Collins (center) celebrates his award

with Bethesda Barclay House residentsand other members of the staff.

1630 Des Peres Road, Suite 290

St. Louis, Missouri 63131

(314) 800-1900

www.BethesdaHealth.org

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Did You Know…

...that Bethesda has a blog on itswebsite? To access the articles(some written by Bethesdaexperts) on a variety of seniorliving topics, go towww.BethesdaHealth.org/blog .If you have suggestions forarticle topics, please contactTiffany Clancy attmclancy@bethesdahealth.orgor 314-800-1967. We appreciateyour suggestions!

... that St. Andrews & BethesdaHome Health just finishedcelebrating its 5th anniversary ofproviding services? Coveragecan be found on our website:www.BethesdaHealth.org .

... that another importantanniversary is taking place atBethesda in a couple of months?More information coming soon!

Power Engages Crowd at Alzheimer’s Caregivers EducationSeries Event

Once again, an internationally renowned gerontologist and author took to thestage as part of the ongoing Alzheimer’s Caregivers Education Series, coordinatedin partnership by Bethesda and the St. Louis Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

A crowd of more than 120 listened intently as Dr. G. Allen Power, author of the book“Dementia Beyond Drugs,” addressed the controversial issue involving the use ofantipsychotics for behavior management of people living with dementia.

During the presentation, which was also co-sponsored by Primaris, a Medicarequality improvement organization, Dr. Power challenged the attendees to shift theirparadigm from one where behavioral symptoms are managed throughpsychotropic drugs to an “experiential model.” He approached dementia not as“the long goodbye” but rather a shift in the way a person experiences the worldaround them.

Dr. Power also shared that well-being is not dependent on cognitive skills, but a shared understanding of theuniqueness of individuals. He prefers the term “care partner” to the more common “care giver,” he said, becausehe stresses the need for inter-relationship, give and take, between both people involved in the process.

A panel of three caregivers participated along with Dr. Power during the Q&A segment, offering guidance andsuggestions based on their personal experiences of caring for a loved one living with dementia.

The next Alzheimer’s Caregivers Education Series program will take place in Spring 2014 – details will be availableon the Bethesda website (www.BethesdaHealth.org) and in the Winter 2014 edition of the Pulse.

Dr. G. Allen Power speaks duringthe latest Alzheimer’s CaregiversEducation Series program.

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