March 2010 ESP Newsletter

Elder Service Providers March Luncheon

Please join us for the March luncheon hosted by Alzheimer Society of Washington. The luncheon will be held at Best Western Lakeway Inn Mt. Baker Room – 1st floor 714 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham on Wednesday, March 24th, 2010 11:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

Program will feature George Ratayczak, Whatcom County Search and Rescue, who will speak about Project Lifesaver.

We will be ordering off the menu at the Oboe Café which includes sandwiches, soups, salads, and hot entrees.

Please R.S.V.P. by March 22nd, 2010 (360)671-3316

Alzheimer Society of Washington

Memory Awareness Screenings, 3rd Tuesday of the month, 10:30am-12:30pm at St. Luke's Community Health Education Center, 3333 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham. Contact us for an appointment at 360-671-3316 or drop in. The screening is non-invasive, non-threatening and takes only a few minutes -only you receive the results. It is an opportunity to ask questions and discuss concerns and options. This is a free service but donations are gratefully accepted.

Alzheimer Society of Washington

2010 Spring Workshop with Teepa Snow, Dementia Care & Training Specialist. Join us for "The Dementia Journey-Finding the Best Route" on April 16, 2010, 8:00am-4:30pm at Christ the King Center, 4173 Meridian Street, Bellingham. Continuing education units are available. Pre-registration required. Call for registration or vendor information 360-671-3316.

Alzheimer Society of Washington

11th Annual "Miles for Memories" A walk and sanctioned run featuring food, fun, families, and dogs! Join us Saturday, May 15, 2010 at the Fairhaven Village Green in Bellingham. Starting gun is at 9:00am and when you return to the Village Green, enjoy the music, food, and watching dogs compete for prizes. Please call 360-671-3316 for information on sponsorship, teams, and registration.

Whatcom Hospice Bereavement Program

Hospice Foundation of America’s 17th annual Living with Grief: Cancer and End-of-Life Care live webcast will be broadcasted to the professional community Wednesday, March 24, 10 am to 1:30 pm at Whatcom Community College Heiner Theatre.

This conference will address care options related to cancer diagnosis as well as loss and grief responses for patients, families and professional caregivers. Three continuing education units are available for most professionals. For more information see these Web pages: Hospice Foundation Conference & Hospice Help Events. This event is locally hosted by Whatcom Hospice and Whatcom Community College PTA Program and no pre-registration is necessary. Contact John Robinson at hospice, 733-5877, if you have questions. Please feel free to share this information and the downloadable conference poster with interested others.

Dimensions – A Dementia Education Workshop Series

Join our free dementia educational series, offered the fourth Thursday of each month from 2 to 4 pm. Led by Leta Benfield, RN and Director of Wellness at Birchview Memory Care, this series educates, encourages, and empowers family and friends on how to deal with challenging behaviors, how to navigate the practical daily needs of dementia, and more.

The following topics will be covered:

• Understanding & Managing Difficult Behaviors - March 25th, 2 pm to 4 pm
• Self Care for Families - April 22nd, 2 pm to 4 pm

To sign up or to learn more, call Kirk Blankenship, Community Relations Director at 360-856-1911.

Merrill Gardens at Cordata Announces Snoezelen Room

Merrill Gardens at Cordata invites you to call to tour Whatcom County’s first SNOEZELEN ROOM. A multi-sensory environment designed to enable persons with cognitive impairment to experience and interact with minimal demands. The room is intended to be enjoyable with no expectation and its use can improve affect, cognition, communication and functional behavior in memory care. Merrill Gardens is decided to life enhancement activities for all! Please call Jackie Jaggers, Community Relations Direction at (360) 715-882 to tour.

Note from the Editor

Thanks once again for the interest in the newsletter. Members please continue to email your articles to Anna Mitchell. Please do not respond to this mailing, but contact Anna directly for a more timely response.

If you have questions about ESP feel free to contact any of our board members, Rob Westford, Cindy Sherwin, Barbara Herrmann, Suzanne Shrock, Cindy Maxwell, Barry Meyers, Joe Shrock, Debbie Gann, Sharon Swanson, Anna Mitchell, Mary Gould, Lori Nichols, Erika Stanley.

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