Caregivers

Press Release

BUFFALO, N.Y. (August 10, 2022) — The Western New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association will hold two free events at the Genesee County Office for the Aging in Batavia for people caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia.

On Tuesday, August 23, there will be a free educational program, “Managing Money: A Caregiver’s Guide to Finances,” held from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Genesee County Office for the Aging at 2 Bank Street in Batavia. The program will feature tips for managing someone else’s finances, how to prepare for future care costs and the benefits of early planning. Participants are asked to register at tinyurl.com/BataviaMM.

On Thursday, August 25, there will be a Caregiver Resource Fair, also at the Office of the Aging, from 2 to 4 p.m. The Caregiver Resource Fair will offer information about the free community resources available to people living with dementia and their caregivers, such as support groups, educational programs and care consultations. Residents may attend anytime between 2 and 4 p.m.; free on-site respite for loved ones will be available. Registration is not required but recommended at bit.ly/CAREGIVERFAIR.

These free programs are supported in part by grants from the U.S. Administration for Community Living - Department of Health and Human Services and the New York State Department of Health, respectively.  

To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, call the 24/7 Alzheimer’s Association Helpline at 800.272.3900 or visit alz.org.

 

Press release:

The Alzheimer's Association Western New York Chapter is now offering free, live, virtual programs and services to ensure dementia caregivers, those living with the disease and family and friends have access to vital information.

Across New York, it is estimated there are more than 400,000 individuals living with some type of dementia, with another 1 million+ people providing some kind of care for them.

Their needs for access to help, support and education is ongoing, and to address those needs, the Alzheimer’s Association Western New York Chapter is offering a number of virtual programs accessible from any location via computer or mobile device.

Below are education programs scheduled for April, plus information on how to access the programs. Confidential care-planning meetings are also ongoing via virtual tools, as are caregiver support group meetings.

Chapter dementia care consultants are planning a number of free online classes for participants to attend from the safety and comfort of their own homes. In the month of April, these education programs will be offered virtually:

Overview of Virtual Programs and Services

• Friday, April 3 -- 2 p.m.
• Friday, April 17 - 2 p.m.

Understanding Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia

• Tuesday, April 7 -- noon
• Tuesday, April 14 -- noon
• Tuesday, April 21 -- noon
• Tuesday, April 28 – noon
• Wednesday, April 29 -- 8 a.m.

Know the 10 Warning Signs

• Friday, April 10 -- 2 p.m.
• Friday, April 24 -- 2 p.m.

Effective Communication Strategies

• Thursday, April 2 -- 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 22 -- 8 a.m.
• Thursday, April 30 -- 6 p.m.

Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors

• Thursday, April 9 -- 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 15 -- 8 a.m.

Legal and Financial Planning for Dementia

• Wednesday, April 8 -- 8 a.m.
• Thursday, April 16 – 6 p.m.

Dementia Conversations

• Thursday, April 23 -- 6 p.m.

Meaningful Activities for Family Caregivers

• Monday, April 20 -- 1:30 p.m.

To register for any/all of these classes and learn how to access them, visit: bit.ly/WNYeducation or call 1.800.272.3900.

Caregiver support group meeting sare also being offered in a number of ways, including telephone conference calls and webinars. To learn more about taking part in a virtual support group meeting, visit: bit.ly/WNYsupport.

The Association’s around-the-clock Helpline is also available to answer questions about programs and how to access them, address concerns, and discuss other resources. That number is 1-800-272-3900.

Confidential care consultations to discuss care planning, finances, and more will continue to be available via telephone to the Helpline: 1-800-272-3900. Video chats are also possible for these free virtual meetings.

And finally, the Association has a dedicated website to help caregivers whose loved one is at home and those whose loved one is residing in an assisted living facility. That website is: alz.org/COVID19.

Ann and Dave Scherff, of Le Roy, are planning a rare getaway, a respite from caregiving for their disabled adult son who lives with them, and someone else is picking up the tab.

It's actually a nonprofit organization in Manlius, east of Syracuse, that is footing the bill for a two-day stay at a bed-and-breakfast inn. The motto of David's Refuge is "Caring for the Caregiver."

It is a mission with an outreach that is growing in Western New York.

Several Genesee County families like the Scherffs have benefitted from this charity, which provides respite, resources and support to parents and guardians of children with special needs or life-threatening conditions.

The goal is to help them be refreshed, restored and renewed in their caregiving roles.

It's easy to burn out.

"Knowing that someone else cares, that we're not alone, being supported -- has given me hope," Ann says.

The couple has a total of five adult children, three of whom have disabilities, but only one remains at home. Still, they have oversight responsiblity for their two other disabled sons, in addition to Ann's disabled sister-in-law.

When they go away, they arrange for professional nursing staff to care for their live-in son.

They have gone on four two-day hotel stays so far. Families aided by David's Refuge are eligible to go on one per year. Afterward, they are also given a $50 gift certificate to enjoy at a local restaurant.

"Doing something to put yourself first," as Ann says, is uncommon for people like the Scherffs.

Families such as theirs not infrequently incur extraordinary expenses while caring for their loved ones; not everything is covered by insurance or government assistance. So splurging on a weekend away is a luxury too rich to contemplate in a lot of cases, even though the results are beneficial to mind, body and spirit.

The widely recognized conundrum provides impetus for the outreach that David's Refuge does.

"We are currently serving 250 families, 120 of whom are from the Western New York area, including Rochester, Buffalo and surrounding communities," said Christine Corbett, director of philanthropy for David's Refuge.

To help their cause, the organization is hosting a fundraiser in Darien Center on Friday, June 15, at the new and beautiful boutique hotel River Spring Lodge. It is operated by David (AKA "Chef Dave") and Carolyn Hamer.

Called "Fireworks for Friends," the 7 to 10 p.m. event will feature a private fireworks display, live music, two beer or wine tickets, free parking and a silent auction. Culinary delights will be served up by Chef Dave, including hors d' oeuvres to pass as well as stationary appetizers.

The cuisine, which Chef Dave defines as "refined American," is highly praised. Guests gush that it is "incredible, exquisite, amazing and remarkable."

Cost per ticket is $50 for "Friends for Fireworks." River Spring Lodge is located at 1961A Church Road, Darien Center.

The Scherffs plan to attend.

To purchase tickets, visit here, or contact Christine Corbett at (315) 382-4204 or email her at Christine.corbett@davidsrefuge.org

To find out more about David's Refuge, click here.

Visit the River Spring Lodge online here.