PRESS RELEASE
November is National Alzheimer's Month
NEW ENGLAND SINAI'S ALZHEIMER'S CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP PRESENTS
"REDISCOVER YOUR REASONS FOR CAREGIVING"
STOUGHTON, MA — If you are caring for a friend or loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia, you know how difficult it can be, even under the very best circumstances. In what is often a 24/7 situation, many caregivers are under a great deal of stress, don’t get enough sleep and feel disheartened and powerless as the person they care for becomes less engaged in the present. Though it’s vitally important to remain focused on the reasons you are caregiving, it can be easy to lose perspective and get burned out. Plan to spend an hour away from caregiving and attend a valuable, free workshop open to the public at New England Sinai Hospital on “Re-Discover Your Reasons for Caregiving”on Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 7pm. The workshop is presented to recognize November as National Alzheimer’s Month and honor those with loved ones or friends suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia. Family Caregiver Specialist Sheryl Leary will present the workshop and says, “If you feel you may be approaching burn out, I will show you steps you can take to prevent it and how to be mindful of those special, silver lining moments that make caregiving such a rewarding and worthwhile experience. You will leave this workshop feeling refreshed.” The workshop is presented by Sinai’s Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group and will be held at the hospital’s Brenner Conference Center at 150 York Street in Stoughton. A wealth of information will be provided to those attending, including free hand out materials from the Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Association. Light refreshments will also be provided To learn more and to register, call (781) 297-1375.
Deborah Ribak, LSW, Assistant Director, Social Worker & Admissions Coordinator for Sinai’s Adult Day Health Programs, spent time as a caregiver for her father before he passed away in 2008. “Even though it was difficult for my mother and me to care for him and there were days when I felt burned out, I am so thankful to have spent so much quality time with him in the last year of his life. Our close relationship became even closer and I discovered what an amazing sense of humor he had ― something I had not realized before ― and when I think of how I might have missed that, I feel extremely grateful.” Ribak believes those attending the workshop will feel “rejuvenated after learning how to open their hearts anew and take stock of the many positives they can experience only by being caregivers.”
Leary is a Family Caregiver Specialist with HESSCO Elder Services and understands the many issues caregivers face. In this workshop she will help them embrace all aspects of their role and lead them on a path to finding their caregiving reward. She will help caregivers learn about their style of coping, how to improve their coping skills and find added value in their role, while addressing difficult issues such as facing the holidays and the special needs of longtime caregivers who may need to re-discover their reason for caregiving.
The Sinai Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group provides support, information and respite for caregivers of those with Alzheimer's and other dementia problems. Attendees can take a much needed break from caregiving, meet with others they can relate to and exchange helpful tips. Monthly talks are free and open to the public
New England Sinai Hospital is a 212-bed, non-sectarian, not-for-profit, long-term acute-care hospital with its main campus in Stoughton, MA and inpatient satellite units at Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston and Caritas Carney Hospital in Dorchester. Recognized as a regional leader in pulmonary, medically complex and acute rehabilitation care, Sinai also offers a wide range of outpatient programs and services. Sinai is a teaching affiliate of Tufts University School of Medicine.
Contact:
Carole Herrup
Public Relations Director
New England Sinai Hospital
150 York Street
Stoughton, MA 02072
Tel. 781-297-1329
FAX: 781-297-7509