Virgil Clarkson Lacey Senior Center 6757 Pacific Ave SE Lacey, WA 98503 360.407.3967 Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Faith Lutheran Church 1212 Connection St, Shelton, WA 98584 360.407.3967 Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
NOVEMBER 2019
When thinking about the
upcoming holiday
season, it is normal to
want to make it special
and memorable through
special decorations,
people and events.
People with memory
loss absorb these extras
in a sensory and
emotional way. The
sensory memory will be short lived, however,
the emotional memory will linger. Keeping the
holidays simple, familiar and within their
routine are key to success every day, and
more so during the busy holidays. Here are some
tips for preparing your loved one with dementia:
Tell them only what they need to know, when
they need to know.
Spend time reminiscing about past holiday
decorations and events using photos and even
music. Talk about the people they will see
and avoid correcting their memories.
Keep the discussion simple and positive.
Avoid phrases such as, “Don’t you
remember?” or “What is this person’s
name?”
Prepare others by making suggestions like:
Have one person at a
time talk to the loved
one. Focus the
conversation on people
and times in the past.
Talk in a quiet place,
make eye contact and
don’t be afraid to hold
hands.
Keep their plate of
food simple; a few things at a time.
Reassure them often throughout the visit.
Provide a quiet place where your loved one
can rest or time out.
Be prepared to leave early, before your loved
one gets anxious or agitated.
Consider leaving your loved one home with a
friend or paid caregiver for the extra events.
Home is familiar and their normal routine
can be respected. You will have to weigh this
option against the possible anxiety they may
have because you are gone.
There are no easy answers to getting through
holidays with a loved one whose brain can no
longer make sense of the celebrations.
Remember to care for yourself! Often simple is
more enjoyable for everyone.
Your Brighter Days Staff
Information & Admin: Paul Taylor, Program Manager, 360.407.3967, ext. 107 (left)
Lacey Attendance & Daily Operations: Jen Allen,
Lacey Site Manager, 360.407.3967, ext. 109 (right)
Shelton Attendance & Daily Operations: Kathy
Peck, Shelton Site Manager, 360.878.1189 (right) Enrollment, Support & Momentia: Cher i Knighton, Family Support Coordinator, 360.586.6181, ext. 111 (left)
Volunteer Spotlight
We are pleased to have Greg Andreassen volunteering with our
program. Greg helped seniors during her working years in the optical
field of healthcare and she has experience as a Nurse’s Aide.
Greg says she likes meeting the participants and helping them have
an enjoyable and happy day! She believes in the Golden Rule. Her
philosophy is live free and happy. She believes that the older you get,
the more important it is to stay engaged in activities that make you
happy and interacting with the community.
Greg moved here from California to live closer to her brother and his
family. She helps care for two nephews who are in the fourth and fifth grade. She wanted to find a volunteer opportunity while they are in school. We are so glad she found the Brighter Days Adult Day Program!
Art Show
Thursday, November 21 4:00-6:00 pm
Lacey Senior Center
It’s back by popular demand! Brighter Days will
be hosting our second annual Art Show for
participants and family members. We are also
opening our show to the greater community, so
please help us spread the word! Bring your friends
and come enjoy beautiful art created by our very
own talented Brighter Day participants. Food and
refreshments will be served. Join us to see this spectacular art collection in the Brighter Days room.
Give Where You Live Today!
We are excited to invite everyone you know to participate in
Give Local - an annual two-week giving campaign, hosted
by the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound,
designed to encourage philanthropy in our local
communities. Starting November 6, you can become a part
of this growing movement to change lives by supporting a
cause close to our heart and yours – Brighter Days Adult Day Program. We are hoping to raise $6,000
during the campaign period! We thank the following participants for allowing us to share their stories…
Cecelia has been attending Brighter Days for six years because our program gives
her a place to belong and remain active both cognitively and physically. She calls
it her school. She lives with her son, Roy, who runs his own business and needs to
know his mom is in a safe place during the day. Cecelia often serves to help new
participants at Brighter Days feel welcome, showing interest and support for them,
being like a mother to them. Roy believes, "This compulsion to help others helps
her maintain and strengthen her cognitive abilities." Roy and his fiancé give back
by helping out at Brighter Days picnic and art show.
Gerald's time at Brighter Days gave his wife Suzette a break to help her maintain
her own health, both physical and mental, and to give her time to think about the
next steps in Gerald’s care. While Gerald was at Brighter Days, he formed a close
friendship with another participant, Carl. Both men found Brighter Days to be a safe
and encouraging place to spend time and find a new friend. Carl is a naturally caring
person and he was drawn to encourage and show concern for Gerald. They supported
one another and helped each other through each day. When Gerald moved into a care
facility, their spouses worked to help them maintain their friendship. Suzette says,
"The combination of interesting activities that maintain mental stimulation and
caring staff and volunteers makes the Brighter Days program a great place for
people living with dementia and their caregivers!"
Tom has Parkinson’s disease with dementia and he wanted to stay as active as
possible while giving his wife Samara a break to recharge her batteries. Tom has
formed strong friendships in the program and he appreciates the way the activities
challenge him to make the best of his diminishing abilities. Tom looks forward to
coming to the program, often participating in discussions and presentations about
science and space. Tom has a doctorate in elementary particle physics, operated a farm
and built homes. Tom likes the art projects because they give him a chance to express
himself. The Brighter Days program has been very beneficial to Samara who says,
"While dealing with fighting cancer and also caring for Tom, Brighter Days has
helped me cope with these challenges."
Your donation will help us meet the growing demand to accept more participants. By
expanding our facility and staff, we can accommodate more people in our community with new, extended hours. Please go to www.thecommunityfoundation.com or http://c-fund.us/n6e to donate starting November 6th! Thanks!
Support Groups for Family Caregivers
Lacey Senior Center 6757 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey 2nd Thursday, November 14, 2:30 - 4:30 pm Alpine Way 900 West Alpine Way, Shelton 2nd Thursday, November 14, 10:30 - 11:30 am St. Mark Lutheran Church 2109 College Street, Lacey 4th Friday, November 22, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Playing 6-Up In Shelton Brighter Days, the Friday group loves to
play 6-Up. The players lay out the first six cards of a
suit in front of themselves face up. Then using only one
dice, the players begin to chip away at their cards by
turning them over till all six cards are face down. The
first player to have their cards turned over is the winner
and collects a poker chip.
Studies have shown that playing a simple card game
like 6-Up, benefit people with Alzheimer’s, dementia
and other cognitive issues.
There is the challenge to see who is going to win first. And, there are physical benefits that include,
improvement in fine and gross motor skills, reflexes, and hand-eye coordination. There is memory
enhancement as well. The brain is able to learn and remember how to play this game. Depending on
how advanced the memory decline, the brain may hold onto how to play any game. This is a fun and
brain-friendly game to play.
Memory Café at River’s Edge: Thurs, 11/7 2:30 – 4:30 pm
Sing Along at Lacey Senior Center: Fri, 11/1, 11/8, 11/15, 11/22 12:45 – 1:45 pm
Music Mends Minds at Olympia Senior Center: Tue, 11/5, 11/12, 11/19, 11/26
12:30 – 2:00 pm
Memory Café at Sister’s Restaurant: Thurs, 11/21 2:30 – 4:30 pm
For complete details about all Momentia
activities, visit www.southsoundseniors.org or
contact Cheri Knighton at 360.586.6181, ext.
111 or [email protected].
Illness Policy
In case of illness, please help your participant remember to cough and sneeze into their shoulder or elbow.
If your participant is not feeling well (temperature of 110 or higher, runny eyes/nose, vomiting and/or diarrhea), home is the best place for them to be.
Transportation
Lacey: Please call Dial-a-Lift at 360.705.5827 if you need to cancel their ride for the day. Shelton: Call Dial-a-Ride at 360.427.5033.
Absence—Let Us Know
Lacey: 360.407.3967, ext. 109 Shelton: 360.878.1189
Short Story Writing
Recently, the Brighter Days Lacey group wrote a short story together. We looked at a Van Gogh
painting of a room and talked about who might live in this room. Then we started to think of specifics
and ask, “Is this a man or a woman? What kind of work do they do? What do they do when they are
not working?” The picture and the questions inspired a great story with input from the whole group.
This is the result…
People came and went in the boarding house; it was in the
countryside in Europe. The gentleman was alone, wishing he had a
wife, maybe. He was a clockmaker and he liked to spend his time
walking in the woods looking for something to make him happy.
One day as he walked, the clockmaker heard something unusual. It
sounded like growling, the growling of a dog, and suddenly a dog
appeared! He was shaggy—limping, thin and hungry. The
gentleman clockmaker wanted to help the dog. “Are you hungry?”
he asked. The dog went to the man and laid down in front of him.
The dog chewed his foot; the man could tell he was hurt. The clockmaker wanted to take the dog
home so he used his belt and Swiss army knife to craft a sled for the dog was too large to carry. The
dog trusted the man; he climbed onto the sled and the man dragged him home. He didn’t have dog
food so he offered the dog water; the dog quickly drank it. The man searched the boarding house and
found bread; the dog ate it happily. Soon after the dog curled up on the man’s bed with enough room
for the man to join him. To be continued…
Fall Caregiver Workshop
Friday, November 8 10:00 am - 3:00 pm (registration at 9:30 am) Capitol Event Center (6005 Tyee Dr SW, Tumwater) We will learn about Normal, Not Normal Aging, Falls Prevention, Momentia, and find time to have a great lunch. The workshop is $15 and register your support person at no extra cost. To register, call 360.664.2168, ext.102 or online at www.lmtaaa.org/fcspworkshop.You can pay at the door.
Music Mends Minds is a support for those who want to exercise and use their minds
to the greatest extent possible. Music creates pathways to enhance memories and keep
the mind functioning. Join the fun! Gratitude Concert is free and open to the public!
The Olympia Senior Center is located at 222 Columbia St NW, Olympia.
Be Watching for 2020 Educational Forums
It’s not too early to start marking your 2020 calendar for great educational seminars!
January 28: Healthy Living for Brain & Body February 25: Effective Communication in Dementia
March 24: Understanding Dementia Behaviors April 21: Conversations about Dementia
All classes will be 10:00 - 11:30 am at the Olympia Senior Center, 222 Columbia St NW, Olympia.
They are free and open to the public. Please join us!
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
1
Bingo
&
Sing Along
4
Football
&
Music w/ Joe
5
Clay sculpture
&
Targetball
6
Morning Music
Visit w/ Tilly & Nancy
Twister
7
Bingo
&
Shuffleboard
8
Lawn Darts
&
Sing Along
11
Closed
12
Bingo
&
Molkky
13
Morning Music
Visit w/ Tilly & Nancy
Flickin’ Chickens
14
Balloon/Pool Noodle &
Music
15
Circle Weaving
&
Sing Along
18
Centerpiece Craft
&
Music w/ Joe
19
Balloon Volleyball
&
Music
20
Visit w/ Tilly & Nancy
Story Writing
Bingo
21
Landscape Painting
&
Shuffleboard
22
Football
&
Sing Along
25
Bingo
&
Music w/ Joe
26
Leaf Prints
&
Bean bag toss
27
Morning Music
Visit w/ Tilly & Nancy
& Basketball
28
Closed
29
Closed
Lacey November 2019