|
Affiliated with the Hoag Neurosciences Institute |
|
Alzheimer's Family Services Center
CURRENT NEWS |
|
Click here to view AFSC’s News from 2010 |
|
Monday, September 19, 2011
The Verizon Foundation Grants $24,500 to Alzheimer’s Family Services Center in Support of its Adult Day Health Care Automation Project
(Huntington Beach, CA) – In September 2011, Alzheimer’s Family Services Center (AFSC) received notice that the Verizon Foundation had awarded the agency a $24,500 grant in support of its Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) Automation Project.
The ADHC Automation Project reduces the numerous hours spent on paperwork and allows staff to dedicate more time to providing quality care to frail, cognitively impaired adult day health care participants, and intensifying support for their caregivers. Prior to implementation of the project, clinical and program functions were complex and based on countless paper files, with staff spending valuable time generating repetitive flow sheets and clinical forms to maintain compliance with regulatory agencies and third-party payers.
Cordula Dick-Muehlke, Ph.D., AFSC’s executive director, noted, “We are so excited to have the Verizon Foundation supporting us as we complete the second phase of this critical project. It will help us serve our participants and caregivers in a much more focused and effective manner. The foundation’s generous contribution to our center will have a lasting impact for years to come.”
The Verizon Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications Inc. As part of its health care and accessibility initiative, the foundation invests in projects that use technology to improve delivery and accessibility of health care information and services to underserved populations. Its aim is to help health care providers increase their accuracy, effectiveness, and reach, and enhance resources for individuals, families, and caregivers pertaining to critical health issues and health care services. Mike Murray, director of government & external affairs, shared, “Verizon is delighted to be part of AFSC’s dedication to, and important work in, our communities.” Initial funding by the Orange County Community Foundation and Gary and Mary West Foundation for the ADHC Automation Project underwrote Phase I of the project, which took two years to complete. The initial project allowed AFSC to obtain and tailor an electronic database that now manages all major ADHC clinical, program, and system functions. The first and largest phase of the project helped the center realize and sustain its mission, with program and clinical staff able to focus on providing high-quality care and high-intensity support to participants and their caregivers on a daily basis. Phase II will further develop the project’s security, efficiency, and sustainability while continuing to reduce the time staff spend on repetitive paperwork and data entry.
Affiliated with the Hoag Neurosciences Institute, Alzheimer’s Family Services Center, an independent nonprofit agency, is the only Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center in Orange County. The agency fulfills its mission to improve quality of life for families challenged by Alzheimer's disease or another dementia through services tailored to meet individual needs. AFSC offers a comprehensive set of critical services, including dementia-specific adult day health care, caregiver support, and education. To learn more, please call 714-593-9630 or visit www.AFSCenter.org. |
|
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011
Successful Spiritual Care in Aging and Dementia: Meeting Diverse Needs A conference for clergy, spiritual leaders, and healthcare professionals
(Huntington Beach) – Alzheimer’s Family Services Center (AFSC), in collaboration with the Hoag Neurosciences Institute, is hosting a conference designed to inform, educate, and prepare clergy, spiritual leaders, and healthcare professionals to assist the growing number of families facing Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia in our community.
This didactic and experiential conference will (1) explore the all encompassing nature of spirituality and its diverse expressions relative to the needs of persons with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia, (2) highlight the existential challenges these families face, (3) provide tools for conducting a spiritual assessment, (4) present a unique small-group worship experience for individuals with dementia, and (5) offer information about key community resources.
The conference will feature the following dynamic expert speakers: · Dr. Cordula Dick-Muehlke, Executive Director, Alzheimer's Family Services Center · Shirley Otis-Green, LCSW, ACSW, OSW-C, Senior Research Specialist, City of Hope National Medical Center · Nancy Gordon, M.Div., C.A.S.P., Director, CLH Center for Spirituality and Aging
This unique conference will take place on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 from 7:30am to 3:00pm (lunch included). It will be held at the Hoag Hospital Conference Center, One Hoag Drive, Newport Beach, CA and offers continuing education credits (5 CEUs for RNs, LCSWs and MFTs). AFSC is provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP 15605 for 5 contact continuing education credits for MFTs and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Provider number PCE 4858. No partial credit will be awarded
This conference is free to attend, but space is limited so early registration is recommended. For more information and to register, please call AFSC at 714/593-1874. You may register online by visiting www.AFSCenter.org/SSC.
Affiliated with the Hoag Neurosciences Institute, Alzheimer’s Family Services Center, a private non-profit agency, is the only Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center in Orange County. The agency fulfills its mission through a continuum of direct care, caregiver support, education, and outreach services. For more information about the programs Alzheimer’s Family Services Center offers, please call 714-593-9630 or visit www.AFSCenter.org.
|
|
MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 2011
Cordula Dick-Muehlke, Ph.D., Executive Director of Alzheimer’s Family Services Center has been Appointed to the American Society on Aging’s Healthcare & Aging Network Leadership Council
January 2011 - Alzheimer’s Family Services Center is proud to announce that Cordula Dick-Muehlke, Ph.D., Executive Director has been appointed to the American Society on Aging’s (ASA) Healthcare & Aging Network (HAN) Leadership Council. HAN is a professional community of individuals and organizations working to promote innovative, high-quality approaches to meeting the healthcare needs of older adults. The network facilitates information exchange and collaboration among policymakers, researchers and service providers. It brings cutting-edge information to professionals and the public about the special health needs of older adults, and identifies and promotes best practices. Cordula will serve as co-chair of the HAN Editorial Board, which publishes Aging Today Online, a quarterly e-newsletter supplement to Aging Today that brings together the rich knowledge base of ASA's constituent groups along with an "Engaged Age" feature on civic engagement, fostering community among professionals in the field of aging.
Cordula Dick-Muehlke, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist who has served as the agency's executive director for nearly 16 years. A member of the Department of Community Medicine at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Cordula has dedicated her career to bettering the lives of people with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia and their families. Considered an expert in dementia care, Cordula also holds an appointment with the UCI Institute of Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders. She has worked in the field of Alzheimer's disease since 1984, and has served as Chair of the State of California Health and Human Services Agency's Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Advisory Committee, and the President of the California Association of Adult Day Services.
Founded in 1954, the American Society on Aging is an association of diverse individuals bound by a common goal: to support the commitment and enhance the knowledge and skills of those who seek to improve the quality of life of older adults and their families. The membership of ASA is a multidisciplinary array of professionals who are concerned with the physical, emotional, social, economic and spiritual aspects of aging. They include practitioners, educators, administrators, policymakers, business people, researchers, students, and more.
Affiliated with the Hoag Neurosciences Institute, Alzheimer’s Family Services Center, a private non-profit agency, is the only Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center in Orange County. The agency fulfills its mission through a continuum of direct care, caregiver support, education, and outreach services. For more information about the programs Alzheimer’s Family Services Center offers, please call 714-593-9630 or visit www.AFSCenter.org.
|
|
WEDNESDAY, JANAUARY 26, 2011
Alzheimer’s Family Services Center Now Offers Memory Care Tool Kits for Purchase
(Huntington Beach) – What do teddy bears, squeeze balls, napkins for folding, playing cards, and puzzles have in common? They are easy-to-use tools that can be enjoyed either independently by a person with memory loss or with family/caregivers. Alzheimer’s Family Services Center (AFSC) is now offering this wonderful kit for caregivers to help comfort loved ones with memory loss.
Originally developed by AFSC as part of a joint pilot project with Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in 2008, Memory Care Tools were coupled with training of healthcare professionals (i.e., nurses, personal care assistants) to promote use of person-centered strategies, rather than physical or chemical restraints, for managing difficult behaviors (e.g., anxiety, agitation, resistance to care, and wandering) while patients with dementia were hospitalized.
According to the nurses, of the times the tools were used during the pilot project, they nearly always helped manage the difficult behavior, prevented the use of physical restraints, and averted the need for families to hire costly sitters. Given this success, Memory Care Tools have been adopted as a new standard of care hospital wide at Hoag.
As an outgrowth of this successful effort, AFSC has developed an affordably priced package containing key easy-to-use tools for caregivers as individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia often develop challenging behaviors that can be difficult to manage in the home environment. As cognitive abilities decline and the ability to speak diminishes, the person may try to express his or her needs behaviorally. Common reasons for challenging behaviors include boredom, loneliness, loss of purpose, and fear.
These tools promote mental and physical stimulation, stress reduction, reminiscence, self-expression, purposefulness, and a sense of security.
The small kit includes Buddy the teddy bear, a squeeze ball, four napkins for folding, a deck of cards, four paper games, a communication board, a canvas bag for carrying, and instructions for caregivers. Cost of the kit is $30.00 plus tax and shipping. To learn more or to order a kit, visit www.AFSCenter.org/MCT.
Affiliated with the Hoag Neurosciences Institute, Alzheimer’s Family Services Center, a private non-profit agency, is the only Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center in Orange County. The agency fulfills its mission through a continuum of direct care, caregiver support, education, and outreach services. For more information about the programs Alzheimer’s Family Services Center offers, please call 714-593-9630 or visit www.AFSCenter.org.
|
|
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2011
Care for a Caregiver— Raise your Paddle
Caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia is one of the most emotionally, physically, and financially challenging experiences a family can face. Caregivers will give to the point of exhaustion, often at a detriment to their own health and well-being. Alzheimer’s Family Services Center provides the support and services caregivers need to ease toll of caregiving.
And you will have the opportunity to join AFSC in supporting caregivers during our 11th annual “A Gathering of Friends.”
The list below shows you how raising your paddle will make a significant impact.
A gift of $5,000 could provide: • 340 Caregivers with Care Mgmt* • 6 Months of JumpStart Sessions (Early-Stage Weekly Support Group & Bi-Monthly Education)
A gift of $2,500 could provide: • 170 Caregivers with Care Mgmt* • 3 Months of Caregiving Essentials Classes (3-Hour Class)
A gift of $1,000 could provide: • 70 Caregivers with Care Mgmt* • 8 Caregiver Support Groups reaching an average of 45 caregivers/month
A gift of $500 could provide: • 30 Caregivers with Care Mgmt* • 4 Caregiver Support Groups reaching an average of 22 caregivers/month
A gift of $100 could provide: • 5 Individuals with Information & Referral Assistance • 1 Caregiver Support Group
*Care management, available to every caller at no cost, includes information and referral, ad hoc telephone and in-person counseling, and relationship-building home visits designed to address high-risk situations (e.g., living alone). As partners in care, our professional staff support the caregiver in problem-solving everyday challenges (e.g., night time pacing).
Call for more information on making a donation to Care for a Caregiver—(714) 593-9630 |
|
MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2011
AFSC Enchants Guests with a Garden Paradise at the 11th Annual “A Gathering of Friends”
(Huntington Beach, CA) – Alzheimer’s Family Services Center announces its 11th annual gala - “A Gathering of Friends, Getting to Know Gail McManigal” – A Garden Paradise. The event is already generating a lot of buzz in the Orange County community, not only as a result of the two outstanding individuals being honored that evening – Distinguished Friend, Mary Lou Shattuck and Participant Honoree, Gail McManigal – but also due to the array of unique auction items that will be offered at this memorable fundraising event.
This year’s gala, on Friday, May 13, 2011 at the Waterfront Hilton Beach Resort in Huntington Beach, will be filled with the sights and sounds of A Garden Paradise, with music provided by the Frank Fakinos’ Power House band (Coconut Productions). Guests will enjoy specially designed “Earl Grey” martinis and other drinks from the bar with Hors D’Oeuvres in the enchanting garden atmosphere created by RWP Party Props Inc. The Pacific Room, with views overlooking the Pacific Ocean, will feature the evening reception and silent auction where guests will have the opportunity to bid on some fantastic items. Of the numerous get-a-ways offered, one of note is a weekend stay for two at the beautiful San Francisco Hilton, with airfare provided by Southwest Airlines. Some of the other 100-plus Silent Auction items offered include Glee concert tickets for two accompanied by an autographed photo of Corey Monteith (aka Finn Hudson), premier tickets to sporting events, and gift certificates from the finest restaurants in Orange County.
Our gift to guests, during cocktail time, will be a beautiful photo by the one and only Prasad Photography, renowned in the field of fine portraiture, with major exhibits of his work displayed in premier locations like Bowers Museum. For those who like to take their chances through an opportunity drawing, A Garden Paradise offers 3 chances to win big, including 1) a $1,500 cash prize, 2) an Apple iPad, and 3) 4 park hopper passes to Disneyland.
Sponsorship opportunities range from $500 - $20,000. We would like to especially thank Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian for matching all sponsorships dollar for dollar up to $75,000! Individual tickets can be purchased for $150 each. For more information or to make a donation, please contact Marissa Colon at (714) 593-1860 / mcolon@AFSCenter.org.
Alzheimer’s Family Services Center, proudly affiliated with the Hoag Neurosciences Institute, is an independent, nonprofit agency dedicated to improving quality of life for families challenged by Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia through services tailored to meet individual needs. Our services address the complex and changing needs of families as Alzheimer’s disease progresses from the earliest to most advanced stages. Funds raised by event sponsorships, ticket sales and a live and silent auction will help provide dementia-specific adult day health care, caregiver support services, and community education and outreach. To learn more or to consult with a dementia care expert, please call (714) 593-9630 or visit www.AFSCenter.org. |
|
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2011
Alzheimer’s Family Services Center’s Meal Program Receives Award of Excellence from the Orange County Environmental Health Division
Alzheimer’s Family Services Center’s (AFSC) Meal Program has received the Award of Excellence for 2010. This award is given annually to establishments that consistently protect the individuals of Orange County through excellence in food safety and sanitation.
The Award of Excellence Program was implemented by the Orange County Environmental Health Division in 1999 in an effort to encourage food establishments to strive for excellence in food safety and sanitation practices, and to recognize those who succeed. Award recipients include those establishments meeting eligibility as determined by a review of the facility’s inspection reports for 2010. The inspection reports from AFSC indicated that the food handling practices and overall sanitation at the center’s facility was outstanding in 2010.
“We are very proud to have won this award for eight years running. Our amazing staff, specifically Chris Martz, Meal Coordinator and Lindsay Blankenship, Assistant Meal Coordinator at AFSC, has done a phenomenal job of maintaining the highest standards within our kitchen and food program. At AFSC, we strive for excellence in everything we do and this award shows that our hard work is appreciated,” commented Cordula Dick-Muehlke, Ph.D., AFSC Executive Director.
Affiliated with the Hoag Neurosciences Institute, Alzheimer’s Family Services Center, a private non-profit agency, is the only Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center in Orange County. The agency fulfills its mission through a continuum of direct care, caregiver support, education, and outreach services. For more information about the programs Alzheimer’s Family Services Center offers, please call 714-593-9630 or visit www.AFSCenter.org.
|
|
FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2011
THE pETER & VIRGINIA ueberroth family foundation grants $50,000 to Alzheimer’s Family Services Center
(Huntington Beach, CA) – In April 2011, Alzheimer’s Family Services Center (AFSC) received the exciting news that the Ueberroth Family Foundation had awarded the agency a $50,000 grant.
Virginia and Peter Ueberroth established the Ueberroth Family Foundation in 1984. Since its inception, the foundation’s objective has been to provide a vehicle for the Ueberroth family to give back to local Orange County communities. Personal involvement is an important factor in gift decisions. Charitable organizations focused on Youth, Education, and Cancer are the primary beneficiaries.
The Ueberroth Family Foundation has been supporting AFSC’s mission to improve quality of life for families facing dementia since 2006. This year’s grant shows a true commitment to helping those who need it most, especially during these tough economic times. Vicki Booth, President of the foundation, shared, “We are proud of our affiliation with AFSC and are happy when a grant can help leverage more support.”
AFSC executive director, Cordula Dick-Muehlke, Ph.D., stated, “Words cannot express how grateful all of us at AFSC are to the Ueberroth Family Foundation for the incredibly generous grant we received. I am humbled by their faith in AFSC and belief in our work. As with every gift we receive, we are committed to maximizing its impact on the families we serve.”
The far-reaching issue of losing a loved one to the epidemic of Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia is of growing significance in communities across the nation. Unless a cure is found, the number of seniors affected by Alzheimer’s disease will reach nearly 100,000 by 2030 in Orange County alone, with another 300,000 family members and friends involved in daily care. Unfortunately, no one prepares a family for the often overwhelming experience of eldercare. Shouldering the physical, financial, and emotional demands of caring for a loved one with dementia can be particularly difficult for caregivers juggling eldercare with work, or risking their own well-being to provide care. Often families feel like their only option is to place a loved one in a nursing home.
For the last 30 years, AFSC has been equipping families with the time off, coping skills, and knowledge they need to keep loved ones at home for as long as possible. Over the last three decades, we have developed into a state-of-the-art, dementia-specific center where cognitively impaired individuals receive compassionate care, and families can access much-needed support and education. Out of the 20 adult day health care providers in Orange County, we are proud to be the only Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center, and have the capacity to provide care for persons in the advanced stages of dementia, even after discharge elsewhere for difficult-to-manage behaviors such as wandering.
AFSC recognizes that no single intervention can fully ease the potential challenges involved in caring for a loved one with dementia. To successfully continue care at home, families need respite, a 24-hour plan of care, and ongoing support to manage emerging problems such as physician communication and night-time pacing. As research has repeatedly demonstrated, comprehensive interventions that incorporate ad-hoc counseling from a professional are most effective in delaying institutionalization. In response to the needs of caregiving families in Orange County, AFSC has developed Family Dementia Services, which includes dementia-specific adult day health care, supportive care management, support groups, early-stage programs, short-term counseling, and caregiver education.
For more information on the center’s programs and resources, or to make a donation, please call 714-593-9630 or visit www.AFSCenter.org.
Alzheimer’s Family Services Center, affiliated with the Hoag Neurosciences Institute, is an independent non-profit agency committed to improving quality of life for families challenged by Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia through services tailored to meet individual needs. As the only Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center in Orange County, the agency fulfills its mission through a continuum of direct care, caregiver support, and education services.
|
|
FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011
SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION grants $25,000 to Alzheimer’s Family Services Center
In April 2011, Alzheimer’s Family Services Center (AFSC) received the gratifying news that the Sisters of St. Joseph Healthcare Foundation had awarded the agency a $25,000 grant to fund Early-Stage Dementia Health Services in Fiscal Year 2011-2012.
The Sisters of St. Joseph Healthcare Foundation funds programs which directly meet the needs of the underserved, especially families and children at risk. The Foundation sponsors or supports long-term efforts which are closely identified with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange and their mission of bringing unity and healing where divisiveness and oppression exist. They support the concept of “Healthy Communities,” and desire to fund programs and organizations that provide direct health-related services; support and transform the individual, social, economic, institutional, and cultural aspects of communities; provide change within larger societal systems to benefit low-income and at-risk populations; and develop the leadership and capacity for self-determination of those served by the foundation.
AFSC executive director, Cordula Dick-Muehlke, Ph.D., stated, “We are extraordinarily grateful to the Sisters of St. Joseph Healthcare Foundation for their continued support of our mission to improve quality of life for families facing dementia. We so appreciate their willingness to fund programs and services designed for those facing a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment or early Alzheimer’s disease.”
Early-Stage Dementia Health Services help families access the system of dementia care early. As Baby Boomers turn 65, the age after which Alzheimer’s disease becomes most prevalent, California will witness a doubling of persons affected and, correspondingly, a doubling of those caring for a loved one with dementia. In Orange County alone, the number of seniors affected by Alzheimer’s disease and caregivers will grow to approximately 300,000 by 2030.[1] It is estimated that approximately 28%, or close to 13,000 of those currently affected by dementia in our community, are in the early stages of the disease.[2] Unfortunately, given the stigma associated with loss of cognitive abilities in our society, many families don’t pursue diagnosis. Consequently, families miss the window of opportunity for accessing dementia medications and interventions early when they are most effective. Early-Stage Dementia Health Services empower early-stage individuals and their care partners to initiate long-term planning early, make timely use of community services, and learn effective coping strategies that will prepare the family to navigate the potential crises that occur throughout the course of dementia.
For the last 30 years, AFSC has been equipping families with the time off, coping skills, and knowledge they need to keep loved ones at home for as long as possible. Over the last three decades, we have developed into a state-of-the-art, dementia-specific center where cognitively impaired individuals receive compassionate care, and families can access much-needed support and education. Out of the 20 adult day health care providers in Orange County, we are proud to be the only Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center, and have the capacity to provide care for persons in the advanced stages of dementia, even after discharge elsewhere for difficult-to-manage behaviors such as wandering.
For more information on the center’s programs and resources, or to make a donation, please call 714-593-9630 or visit www.AFSCenter.org.
Alzheimer’s Family Services Center, affiliated with the Hoag Neurosciences Institute, is an independent non-profit agency committed to improving quality of life for families challenged by Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia through services tailored to meet individual needs. As the only Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center in Orange County, the agency fulfills its mission through a continuum of direct care, caregiver support, and education services. |
|
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
A GARDEN PARADISE ENCHANTS GUESTS AND RAISES MORE THAN $218,000 FOR ALZHEIMER’S FAMILY SERVICES CENTER
(Huntington Beach, CA) – Alzheimer’s Family Services Center (AFSC) hosted its 11th annual gala, “A Gathering of Friends” – A Garden Paradise, on Friday, May 13, 2011 at The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel in Huntington Beach. Approximately 275 guests enjoyed an enchanting evening filled with the sights and sounds of a magical garden as the center celebrated two amazing women - Distinguished Friend Mary Lou Shattuck, longtime agency supporter, and Participant Honoree Gail McManigal of Costa Mesa.
Mary Lou Shattuck, 2011 Distinguished Friend, was recognized for her many years of service to the center. Dr. Cordula Dick-Muehlke had the honor of presenting a beautifully engraved vase filled with roses and a tribute book filled with treasured memories and photos from family and friends to Mary Lou as tokens of the agency’s appreciation for all that she has done and continues to do for AFSC. During her presentation to Mary Lou, Dr. Dick Muehlke shared, “For the past 7 years, as an event volunteer, board member, and officer, trusted advisor and a resource that is always just a call away, Mary Lou has played an integral role in the growth of Alzheimer’s Family Services Center.”
Gail McManigal, 2011 Participant Honoree, was recognized with an 8-minute tribute video that allowed guests to truly get to know Gail. Her family and friends, many of whom were present that evening, came together to share their stories of Gail on camera. One story featured in the video recalls a letter from a student who wrote to Gail 20 years after having her as a teacher. The following statement pulled directly from the letter exemplifies the deep impact Gail made on her students:
“You did such a good job with all that was going on in the classroom. You taught me to love reading! ... You made such an impression on me! I just wanted you to know how much I value all that you did for me. I can’t ever thank you enough.”
Dr. Dick-Muehlke presented Gail’s husband Bruce with copies of the video and Gail with a large bouquet of roses, representing her love of gardens and flowers. Bruce took the opportunity to say a few words, sharing, “Gail and I have been happily married for 50 years and we are still happy.” The crowd responded with loud clapping. Bruce went on to thank the staff at AFSC for everything they have done and continue to do for Gail, himself, and the entire family.
Near the end of the evening, Gail’s two granddaughters, Alicia and Madison, pulled winners for the exciting opportunity drawing. First place won $1,500 in cash, second place a 32 gigabyte Apple iPad, and third place 4 park hopper passes to Disneyland! Guests were then invited to stay and dance the night away with live music by Power House, entertainment by Coconut Productions.
As guests started to leave for the evening, many were heard boasting of the auction items they had won, and sharing how much they enjoyed themselves.
“This was my first year as Event Chair and I am so proud to have been a part of this event. I am proud because we honored two well-deserving women, and we did it with grace and style. We had an amazing committee constituted of dedicated volunteers who bent over backwards to ensure everything went perfectly. My favorite part of the event was that it accomplished all the goals set forth – both financially and emotionally. We wanted our guests to get to know Gail and her family so that they could understand why the services that AFSC provides are so valuable. We wanted guests to witness how their support is helping real people and making a big difference,” commented Greg Joslyn, an AFSC board member. Greg went on to say, “I especially want to thank Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian for the sponsorship challenge match of $75,000! We were so pleased to have achieved the match, which helped us raise more than $218,000 in support of the agency’s mission.”
Alzheimer’s Family Services Center, proudly affiliated with the Hoag Neurosciences Institute, is an independent, nonprofit agency dedicated to improving quality of life for families challenged by Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia through services tailored to meet individual needs. Our services address the complex and changing needs of families as Alzheimer’s disease progresses from the earliest to most advanced stages. Funds raised by event sponsorships, ticket sales and a live and silent auction will help provide dementia-specific adult day health care, caregiver support services, and community education and outreach. To learn more or to consult with a dementia care expert, please call (714) 593-9630 or visit www.AFSCenter.org.
|
|
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Alzheimer’s Family Services Center to Continue Providing Adult Day Health Care Services
(Huntington Beach, CA) June 2011 – California is in a fiscal crisis. The Legislature and Governor have had to cut many safety net services that our most vulnerable citizens rely on. News sources are reporting that the adult day health care MediCal benefit has been completely eliminated from the budget. Those relying on adult day health care (ADHC) to keep their loved ones at home for as long as possible are confused and concerned.
The fact is not as cut and dry as some news sources are reporting. While the state’s FY 2011-12 budget proposes to eliminate adult day health care as an optional MediCal benefit, the Legislature wants to redesign the benefit through a “federal waiver.” Below is a brief update on the status of the adult day health care MediCal benefit.
The Senate and Assembly Budget Sub-Committees have both voted to maintain the appropriation of $85 million in state funding (to be matched with federal dollars) that they approved in March 2011 to move ADHC into a federal waiver, known as KAFI, “Keeping Adults Free from Institutions.” This appropriation is the same amount included in the March 2011 budget bill that was never sent to Governor Brown, because it was not balanced with what the Governor sought in tax revenue.
Both budget sub-committees also adopted placeholder trailer bill language that gives the Department of Health Care Services the necessary legislative authority to develop and submit an application to the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services to recreate ADHC as KAFI, a MediCal benefit operating under a federal waiver.
Legislative leaders continue to assert they will have a budget bill ready for a vote by June 9, to meet the constitutional deadline of June 15, and send a balanced budget to the Governor for signature by July 1. Should the bill pass and the MediCal benefit is preserved as a “federal waiver,” care providers expect to see changes in ADHC as new rules are established. As these changes develop, Alzheimer’s Family Services Center (AFSC) will continue providing much-needed information to the Orange County community and media in order to prepare for any impact to all involved.
It is important to note that while some adult day health care centers may close due to the budget changes or for other reasons, not all centers are closing. Alzheimer’s Family Services Center has been serving the community for 31 years and has set in place fiscal measures to ensure the agency remains healthy during these unstable and uncertain times. AFSC is able to adjust to the new economy and is poised to change as needed to match healthcare reform. AFSC is open and has plans to stay that way.
Affiliated with the Hoag Neurosciences Institute, Alzheimer’s Family Services Center, a private non-profit agency, is the only Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center in Orange County. The agency fulfills its mission through a continuum of direct care, caregiver support, education, and outreach services. For more information about the programs Alzheimer’s Family Services Center offers, please call 714-593-9630 or visit www.AFSCenter.org. |
|
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
The Archstone Foundation grants Alzheimer’s Family Services Center $25,000 in support of DEPRESSION SCREENING & COUNSELING FOR FAMILIES FACING DEMENTIA
(Huntington Beach, CA) – In June 2011, Alzheimer’s Family Services Center (AFSC) received notification that the Archstone Foundation had awarded the agency a $25,000 grant in support of Depression Screening & Counseling for Families Facing Dementia (DSCFFD).
DSCFFD is a pilot program focused primarily on older adult caregivers, 65-plus, who are at increased risk for depression due to the stress of eldercare. An expansion of the agency’s existing Caregiver Counseling Services, DSCFFD will be available to dementia caregivers from throughout Orange County who utilize counseling services at AFSC. Given the pressures of caregiving, symptoms of depression may be ignored. To catch depression early, caregivers will be given the opportunity to complete a brief screening, and, as needed, encouraged to participate in counseling based on the Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) model. IMR is an evidence-based program designed to help individuals suffering from mild to severe depression develop the skills and access resources they need to cope effectively with symptoms.
Established in 1986, Archstone Foundation is a private, non-profit foundation whose mission is to prepare society for the growing needs of an aging society. Under the leadership of president and CEO Joseph F. Prevratil, J.D., Archstone grants up to $5 million annually, primarily in Southern California. The Archstone Foundation’s funding priorities include fall prevention, elder abuse and neglect, end-of-life issues, and emerging needs among the elderly.
AFSC’s executive director, Cordula Dick-Muelhke, Ph.D., noted, “We are so thrilled to have the Archstone Foundation supporting this much-needed program for those we serve. Archstone continues to be a valiant champion for the aging population, funding critical programs to ensure a better quality of life and we are so grateful for their assistance in helping us achieve our mission.”
AFSC has been providing Caregiver Counseling Services since 2009. Services are designed to provide an "extra boost" when a caregiver needs focused support to develop and implement solutions for problems in care. Individual, family, and couples counseling is available to help address issues such as family conflicts over care, negative emotions, and depression as well as enhance caregiving skills, and ease difficult transitions. Committed to meeting the diverse needs of caregivers, AFSC created DSCFFD to enhance the agency’s existing counseling options: 1) Adjusting to the Diagnosis, 2) Crisis Management, 3) Caregiver Skill-Building, and 4) Short-Term Problem-Solving. Our counseling services are provided by master's level social workers specializing in dementia care. Fees are based on an affordable sliding scale and services are offered in Spanish and English.
Affiliated with the Hoag Neurosciences Institute, Alzheimer’s Family Services Center, a private non-profit agency, is the only Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center in Orange County. The agency fulfills its mission through a continuum of direct care, caregiver counseling and support, education, and outreach services. For more information, please call our Care Manager at 714-593-9630 or visit www.AFSCenter.org. |
|
Friday, July 15, 2011 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Anita Rodriguez-Lambert Alzheimer’s Family Services Center (714) 593-9630 Alambert@AFSCenter.org
19th Annual Southern California Alzheimer’s Disease Research Conference Scheduled for September 30, 2011
(Irvine, CA) – July 2011 – UCI Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), the Alzheimer’s Association, Orange County Chapter and Alzheimer’s Family Services Center are proud to announce the 19th Annual Southern California Alzheimer’s Disease Research Conference taking place on Friday, September 30, 2011 at the Irvine Hilton. The topic of this year’s conference is When Does It Become Dementia? Transitioning from Healthy Aging to MCI and Dementia.
In the United States, 5.4 million people are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and a new individual is diagnosed with the disease every 69 seconds. Unless something is done, by 2050, up to 16 million Americans will have Alzheimer’s, and a new case will be diagnosed every 33 seconds. Currently, over 588,000 California families are living with Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia. By 2030, this figure will double to 1.1 million. In Orange County, it is estimated that by 2030, over 92,000 people will have Alzheimer’s, an increase of 99% from 2008.
This conference is designed to heighten the community’s understanding of healthy aging and how it can go awry, leading to Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Alzheimer’s disease, or another dementia. Information will be presented about current research into the causes, treatment, and cure of cognitive disorders, and strategies that empower caregivers to cope effectively. Additionally, the conference features presentations by nationally recognized dementia experts from several leading academic institutions, including Washington University, Arizona University, U.C. San Diego, and U.C. Irvine. Seminars Include:
Treating Dementia: A Look at Current and Future Medications Presented by: Pierre N. Tariot, M.D., Banner Alzheimer’s Institute
Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Before Memory Loss Sets In: Recommended Diagnostic Criteria Presented by: Claudia H. Kawas, M.D., University of California, Irvine
When the Diagnosis is Early-Stage Alzheimer’s: What Happens Next? Presented by: Lisa Snyder, MSW, LCSW, University of California, San Diego
From MCI to Dementia: Insights from Individuals and their Care Partners Presented by: Cordula Dick-Muehlke, Ph.D., Alzheimer’s Family Services Center
Caregiving Across the Course of Dementia Presented by: David W. Coon, Ph.D., Arizona State University
Redefining Alzheimer’s Disease: The Danger of Revised Criteria for Mild Cognitive Impairment Presented by: John C. Morris, M.D., Washington University
Making Lasting Memories Presented by: James L. McGaugh, Ph.D., University of California, Irvine
Risk Factors: Should You Be Concerned? Presented by: Kim N. Green, Ph.D., University of California, Irvine
Exercise and Alzheimer’s Disease Presented by: Carl W. Cotman, Ph.D., University of California, Irvine
When asked about the Alzheimer’s Association’s continued involvement with this annual conference, Jim McAleer, CEO of the Orange County Chapter shared “We are honored to partner with Alzheimer’s Family Services Center and UCI MIND to produce the Southern California Alzheimer’s Disease Research Conference. As the largest private funder of research in the world, AAOC is committed to helping create a world without Alzheimer's. We are dedicated to caring for those affected while we work to make that happen.”
“Through our unique partnership, Alzheimer’s Family Services Center (AFSC), AAOC, and UCI MIND have created a conference that will integrate the latest knowledge about identification and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease in its earliest forms with the perspective of affected individuals and their care partners. This year’s conference promises to once again be an eye-opening experience,” noted Cordula Dick-Muehlke, Ph.D., executive director of AFSC, which offers a continuum of dementia-specific adult day health care, caregiver support, and education services to the Orange County Community.
When Frank LaFerla, Ph.D., Director of UCI MIND was asked to briefly share the focus of this year’s conference, he commented that “One of the biggest challenges facing the medical community is determining when Alzheimer's disease begins. It is clear it doesn't begin on the day the diagnosis is made. This conference will lead to a better understanding of the transitions from healthy aging to the earliest stages of dementia.”
For more information regarding this year’s conference, When Does It Become Dementia? Transitioning from Healthy Aging to MCI and Dementia, please call the Alzheimer’s Association at (949) 757-3703 or visit www.alzoc.org.
Complimentary respite provided for family caregivers at various Orange County assisted living facilities.
|
|
Monday, July 18, 2011
Employees Community Fund of Boeing California Awards Alzheimer’s Family Services Center $5,000 to Support Families Facing Dementia
(Huntington Beach, CA) – In July 2011, Alzheimer’s Family Services Center (AFSC) received the exciting news that the Employees Community Fund of Boeing California has awarded the AFSC a $5,000 grant in support of the agency’s Family Dementia Services.
The Employees Community Fund (ECF) of Boeing California is an employee-owned and operated nonprofit organization. ECF of Boeing California combines the assets of the former Douglas Aircraft Welfare Foundation and the contributions of Boeing employees made through payroll deductions to support charitable organizations in areas where contributors live and work.
Alzheimer’s disease slowly deprives seniors of their independence and is one of the most emotionally, physically, and financially challenging diseases a family can face. Caring for a loved one with dementia can be both difficult and costly. Often, as individual functional abilities and caregiving becomes more difficult, families feel like the only option is to place a loved s with dementia lose their one in a long-term care facility. In response to the needs of caregiving families in Orange County, AFSC has developed Family Dementia Services. Our comprehensive, research-based Family Dementia Services include Adult Day Health Care, Supportive Care Management, Support Groups, Short-Term Counseling and Caregiver Education.
“We are so grateful to the Employees Community Fund of Boeing California for supporting our mission to improve quality of life for families facing dementia. The grant will make an immediate impact on the lives of the families that utilize our services daily to help them stay together as they traverse the numerous challenges presented by Alzheimer’s disease,” shared Cordula Dick-Muehlke, Ph.D., AFSC’s Executive Director.
Affiliated with the Hoag Neurosciences Institute, Alzheimer’s Family Services Center, a private non-profit agency, is the only Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center in Orange County. The agency fulfills its mission through a continuum of direct care, caregiver counseling and support, education, and outreach services. For more information, please call our Care Manager at 714-593-9630 or visit www.AFSCenter.org. |
|
Friday, July 29, 2011
DELOITTE VOLUNTEERS RENOVATE RECREATION ROOM & ENHANCE BELOVED NOW & THEN WALL
Alzheimer’s Family Services Center (AFSC) was chosen as a site for Deloitte’s 12th Annual IMPACT Day, a one-day celebration of Deloitte’s commitment to community involvement and workplace volunteerism. On June 10, 2011, a group of 30 volunteers from the Orange County office of Deloitte dedicated their day to serving AFSC. Joining thousands of other professionals from around the nation who participated in Deloitte’s IMPACT Day, volunteers came out to the center and completely renovated the Recreation Room where participants gather for many cognitively stimulating activities, including playing trivia or listening to old-time music. Deloitte volunteers also provided participants with a wonderful barbecue lunch.
One special feature of the Recreation Room is the Now & Then Wall, conceived by long-time employee, AFSC Activity Coordinator, Darlene Shafer. Photos of AFSC participants as they looked when they were young – THEN – and how they look today – NOW – line this wall. Participants are portrayed at work and play, in large, often antique photos, with a small current image inset in the corner. The wall is beloved by our participants who enjoy showing off their photos to others and staff who are able to better appreciate those AFSC cares for and their contributions.
In 1999, a mother of 6 and a proud woman of 96 by the name of Edith began attending AFSC. She had mild cognitive impairment, prompting her son Bill to bring her to the center to enjoy days filled with fun activities that suited her active spirit. After dropping off his mother in the mornings, Bill would chat with Darlene. One day she mentioned the concept of a Now & Then Wall. Bill quickly volunteered to create one for the agency. He not only developed the wall, but has been maintaining it for over 12 years. His mother attended the center from the age of 96 to 101, when she became too frail to continue. She passed away right before her 104th birthday. Though Edith stopped attending the center several years ago, Bill continues to maintain the Now & Then Wall because of how much she enjoyed attending the center. Thus in memory of Edith and in honor of Bill’s commitment to serving AFSC, a plaque was mounted next to the Now & Then Wall that Deloitte volunteers have refreshed with new paint and upgraded with new black frames.
Deloitte volunteers knew that they were doing something special, something worthwhile this year, as with every year during IMPACT day. But they didn’t know that updating the Now & Then Wall would be quite so meaningful to the staff and the participants at AFSC. During lunch, the volunteers were treated to a short, custom-made video that featured images of participants in action at the center along with special notes from AFSC staff saying thank you as well as action shots of themselves as they worked diligently to complete the project. “We wanted the Deloitte volunteers to know how much we appreciate them! The Recreation Room was in dire need of a facelift. The new coat of paint, cleaning, curtains and other special touches have brightened the room, but upgrading our Now & Then Wall has made the biggest impact of all by honoring our participants. The video was something we could do to express our gratitude with a few photos and a nice song,” shared Dr. Cordula Dick-Muehlke, AFSC’s executive director.
Graven Prest, Business Technology Analyst at Deloitte and Project Team Lead for IMPACT Day shared, “It was pleasure to spend the day renovating the Recreation Room at Alzheimer’s Family Services Center for Deloitte IMPACT Day. Seeing the love and care the AFSC staff provide to the participants and being able to take part in that for a day was truly rewarding. The icing on the cake was ending the day by sharing some laughs and songs with the participants.”
Affiliated with the Hoag Neurosciences Institute, Alzheimer’s Family Services Center, a private non-profit agency, is the only Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center in Orange County. The agency fulfills its mission through a continuum of direct care, caregiver support, education, and outreach services. For more information about the programs Alzheimer’s Family Services Center offers, please call 714-593-9630 or visit www.AFSCenter.org.
As used in this document, “Deloitte” means Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries.
|
|
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Healthcare News Reports on the Benefits of Memory Care Tools
In collaboration with Hoag Hos pital, Alzheimer’s Family Ser vices Center, affiliated with the Hoag Neurosciences Institute, de veloped the Memory Care Tools (MCT) – a creative, activity-based approach to improving care of hospitalized patients with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. Click here to download the full story now. |
|
Thursday, August 18, 2011
AFSC Volunteer Carole Migliaccio Receives Award – No Strings Attached
August 2011, Alzheimer’s Family Services Center (AFSC) is proud to announce that longtime volunteer Carole Migliaccio was selected to receive the newly launched “No Strings Attached Award” provided by the Thompson Family Foundation.
On Monday, August 15, 2011, at the opening of the agency’s board meeting, a special award presentation was made by Don Thompson, the executive director of the Thompson Family Foundation. The Foundation has generously established an extraordinary volunteer recognition award program in collaboration with the Orange County Community Foundation. Mr. Thompson started his presentation by explaining why the Foundation launched this program, commenting, “As a donor, we realize that to get services out far and wide, it takes volunteers to make that happen. It takes volunteers to stretch that dollar as far as it will possibly go.”
Alzheimer’s Family Services Center was one of a select group of 10 agencies invited to participate in the “No Strings Attached Award” program, which was developed to promote volunteerism and recognize extraordinary volunteers whose time and commitment has made a significant impact on the organizations they serve. With generous funding provided by the Thompson Family Foundation, each volunteer award recipient was given a $1,000 cashier’s check for personal use – with “no strings attached. ” Each was also given the opportunity to award $2,500 to the nonprofit organization(s) of their choosing.
Carole Migliaccio was unanimously chosen by AFSC’s Volunteer Coordinator and executive management team to be honored with this award because of her longstanding commitment to AFSC, her numerous contributions to advancing our mission, and the manner in which she exemplifies AFSC’s core values of excellence, quality care, respect, integrity, and client-centeredness. Carole contributes her time, talents, and treasures to AFSC’s New Connections Club, Orange County’s only adult day health care program for individuals with early memory loss. Carole’s lively personality draws out the very best in our New Connections Club participants.
Carole had been notified that she would be receiving an award but did not know that she would be given the opportunity to grant an organization $2,500. When presented with the check and told she could choose any organization she wanted, she said, “You’re kidding right? Cordula, please take this donation for AFSC. I love this place. It’s a part of me. Thank you all very much.” Carole went on to explain that the $1,000 personal gift is timely as she plans on sharing it with a family member who has an immediate financial need – another example of Carole’s compassion and generosity.
In addition to receiving the award from Mr. Thompson, Mary Lou Shattuck, AFSC Board Member, presented Carole with a gift of one of AFSC’s special participant art pieces, professionally framed and displayed as part of our traveling art show. The piece was retired from the show so that AFSC could give Carole a meaningful token of the center’s appreciation for her service. Mary Lou thanked Carole and went on to comment, “We treasure your contributions and are so fortunate to have such a caring and compassionate volunteer.”
Dr. Dick-Muehlke and Tom Linden, Board Chair, thanked Mr. Thompson for sponsoring the “No Strings Attached” award program, and for taking the time to present this very special recognition. Dr. Dick-Muehlke noted, “I especially thank you for recognizing the importance of volunteers, who give unselfishly of their time to local nonprofits like Alzheimer’s Family Services Center so that we can deliver critical services to our community.”
Affiliated with the Hoag Neurosciences Institute, Alzheimer’s Family Services Center, a private non-profit agency, is the only Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center in Orange County. The agency fulfills its mission through a continuum of direct care, caregiver counseling and support, education, and outreach services. For more information about our services or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call us at 714-593-9630 or visit www.AFSCenter.org. |
|
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Mitchell Morris, M.D., Principal at Deloitte Consulting LLP Joins Alzheimer’s Family Services Center’s Board of Directors
(Huntington Beach, CA) August 2011—Alzheimer’s Family Services Center (AFSC) is pleased to announce that Mitch Morris, M.D., has joined AFSC’s distinguished roster of board members. Mitch, a published author and frequent speaker on health care reform and quality, has more than 30 years of health care experience, ranging from strategic consulting to clinical care. He specializes in the development and implementation of information technology strategies that enhance health care quality and improve organizational performance. He is currently a principal in the Deloitte Consulting Life Sciences and Health Care practice.
Prior to joining Deloitte, Mitch was executive vice president and general manager of a health care consulting company. He has also been a leader in academic medicine, having served as senior vice president of health care systems, chief information officer, and professor of both surgery and health services research at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Mitch received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and attended the Albert Einstein College of Medicine for his doctorate. He and his wife Victoria reside in Laguna Beach.
During his career, Mitch has served on numerous nonprofit boards and committees, including Access OC, American Cancer Society, and the Foundation for Women’s Cancer. His interest in Alzheimer’s Family Services Center stems from witnessing firsthand the overwhelming impact of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias on his own patients and their families. He adds, “With the realities of health care today, many providers do not have the time or training to give the right attention to the needs of Alzheimer’s patients. As scientific research seeks a cure, I believe a community-based approach to dementia support is critically important to those who suffer with the disease and their families.”
Cordula Dick-Muehlke, Ph.D., AFSC’s Executive Director, noted, “With his expertise and years of experience working in the health care industry, we know Mitch will be a wonderful addition to our board and are thrilled to have him join our leadership team. His extensive knowledge will definitely be a great asset to our organization.”
Affiliated with the Hoag Neurosciences Institute, Alzheimer’s Family Services Center, an independent nonprofit agency, is the only Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center in Orange County. The agency fulfills its mission to improve quality of life for families challenged by Alzheimer's disease or another dementia through services tailored to meet individual needs. AFSC offers a comprehensive set of critical services, including dementia-specific adult day health care, caregiver support, and education. To learn more, please call 714-593-9630 or visit www.AFSCenter.org. |
|
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
The Allergan Foundation Grants Alzheimer’s Family Services Center $2,500 in Support of Dementia-Specific Adult Day Health Care Services
(Huntington Beach, CA) – In September 2011, Alzheimer’s Family Services Center (AFSC) received a $2,500 grant from the Allergan Foundation in support of dementia-specific adult day health care (ADHC) services.
The Allergan Foundation, created in 1998, is committed to providing a lasting and positive impact on the community. Since its inception, the foundation has granted more than $30 million to worthy causes, focusing in four philanthropic areas: the arts, civic programs, education, and health and human services. Ranked among the largest philanthropic organizations in Orange County, the Allergan Foundation supports innovative programs and research conducted by local, national, and international educational institutions. “The Allergan Foundation has generously supported our mission over the past four years. Their annual funding enables AFSC to provide participants and their caregivers with affordable, high-quality, dementia-specific ADHC services. As the only Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center in Orange County, our community-wide efforts are continuing to raise the standard for dementia care,” shared AFSC’s executive director, Cordula Dick-Muelhke, Ph.D.
For the last 31 years, AFSC has been equipping families with the time off, coping skills, and knowledge they need to keep loved ones together for as long as possible. The center has developed into a state-of-the-art, dementia-specific facility where cognitively impaired individuals and their families receive compassionate care and have access to vital support and education. ADHC services allow staff to provide care for persons in the beginning to most advanced stages of dementia, even after discharge elsewhere for difficult-to-manage behaviors such as wandering and agitation. AFSC is committed to meeting the needs of its participants, and has developed comprehensive dementia care solutions as a result.
AFSC’s dementia-specific ADHC services are an essential component of the safety net for financially strapped families struggling to provide the intense care and sometimes 24-hour supervision that loved ones require as dementia progresses. AFSC’s care management support helps keep families together for as long as possible, as adult day health care, in and of itself, represents only a partial solution to the challenges of eldercare. At AFSC, caregivers of enrolled participants as well as nearly 500 callers annually receive intensive support to manage the medical, psychosocial, and behavioral complications of dementia from a 5-member care management team of social workers. Callers benefit from information and referral, ad hoc telephone and in-person counseling, and relationship-building home visits designed to address high-risk situations (e.g., living alone).
Alzheimer’s Family Services Center, an independent nonprofit agency affiliated with the Hoag Neurosciences Institute, fulfills its mission to improve quality of life for families challenged by Alzheimer's disease or another dementia through services tailored to meet individual needs. AFSC offers a comprehensive set of critical services, including dementia-specific adult day health care, caregiver support, and education. To learn more, please call 714-593-9630 or visit www.AFSCenter.org. |
|
Thursday, October 6, 2011
by National Dementia Organization (Huntington Beach, CA) October 2011 - Alzheimer’s Family Services Center (AFSC) is proud to announce that Cordula Dick-Muehlke, Ph.D., executive director, has been named the 2011 Dementia Care Professional of the Year by Dementia Care Professionals of America (DCPA).
DCPA, the professional membership and training division of Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), has given the award annually since 2008 to someone “who demonstrates professional excellence in care, compassionate performance that exceeds expectations and a dedicated commitment to people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.”
Cordula has been serving as executive director of AFSC for 17 years, providing leadership, direction, and oversight to all agency operations and services. Her compassion for individuals with dementia is borne out of her own personal experience in caring for her older brother who had Down syndrome and developed dementia later in his life. As a licensed clinical psychologist, Cordula has dedicated the better part of her lengthy career towards helping improve the quality of life for families challenged by Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia.
“I deeply appreciate the recognition of my efforts to support the continued personhood of each individual with dementia,” shared Cordula. “For me, this award will always serve as an encouragement to strive to even higher levels of excellence, care and compassion, as I continue my commitment to improve the lives of people affected by dementia and their families.”
Under her leadership, Cordula has transformed AFSC from a grassroots effort to a state-of-the-art model agency for the care of persons across the spectrum of dementia, from the earliest to advanced stages. Her expertise, knowledge, and compassion were instrumental in developing the comprehensive spectrum of services that define the center’s dementia-specific adult day health care. Cordula’s work in early-stage identification and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease has greatly influenced the design of programs at AFSC. Having been a caregiver herself, Cordula knows firsthand the wide range of supports needed to overcome the challenges of caring for a memory-impaired loved one.
Among her many accomplishments at AFSC, Cordula and her staff most recently developed the innovative “Memory Care Tools” kit, comprised of items for nurses and family caregivers to use as non-pharmacological strategies to manage challenging behaviors in persons with dementia. Given its success, the kit was adopted as a new standard of care hospital-wide at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian.
Today, AFSC reaches approximately 5,000 individuals annually through its dementia-specific adult day heath care programs, caregiver support services, education, and community outreach efforts. Cordula is a truly impassioned advocate for dementia-affected individuals and it’s her strategic vision and foresight that drives AFSC to continue making a sizeable impact on the lives of caregiving families across Orange County.
Dementia Care Professionals of America, a division of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), is a membership organization for dementia care professionals that offers practical training, continuing education and qualification as AFA Dementia Care Providers and AFA Dementia Care Specialists. Its 5,500 members include social workers, nurses, home health aides, physicians and other healthcare professionals. For more information about DCPA, call 866-232-8484 or visit www.careprofessionals.org.
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, based in New York, is a national nonprofit organization that unites more than 1,600 member organizations nationwide with the goal of providing optimal care and services to individuals confronting dementia, and to their caregivers and families. Its services include counseling and referrals by licensed social workers via a toll-free hot line, e-mail, Skype, and live chat; educational materials; a free quarterly magazine for caregivers; and professional training. For more information about AFA, call toll-free 866-AFA-8484 or visit www.alzfdn.org.
Affiliated with the Hoag Neurosciences Institute, Alzheimer’s Family Services Center, an independent nonprofit agency, is the only Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center in Orange County. The agency fulfills its mission to improve quality of life for families challenged by Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia through a continuum of direct care services tailored to meet individual needs. To learn more about AFSC’s comprehensive set of critical services, please call 714-593-9630 or visit www.AFSCenter.org. |
|
Thursday, October 13, 2011
The Home Instead Senior Care Foundation Grants $10,000 to Alzheimer’s Family Services Center in Support of Early Memory Loss Services
(Huntington Beach, CA) – In October 2011, Alzheimer’s Family Services Center (AFSC) received a $10,000 grant from the Home Instead Senior Care Foundation in support of Early Memory Loss Services.
Although people with early memory loss may have difficulties with forgetfulness, misplacing things, making decisions and initiative, as well as occasional changes in mood, they still have the ability to lead active, fulfilling lives. AFSC’s comprehensive, research-based Early Memory Loss Services empower individuals with mild cognitive difficulties and their care partners to initiate long-term planning and learn effective coping strategies that will enable the family to avoid potential crises. In Orange County alone, approximately 28 percent of those affected by dementia are in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
|
|
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Mesmerizing Music Fills the Air at Alzheimer’s Family Services Center’s Fall Reception
On Thursday, November 3, 2011, Alzheimer’s Family Services Center (AFSC) hosted an exclusive reception at Living Pianos in Santa Ana as a special thank you for donors who are members of the agency’s Partners in Caring Society. The evening began with an informative presentation entitled “Music is Magical” by AFSC’s executive director, Cordula Dick-Muehlke, Ph.D., on how music therapy benefits persons with dementia. Guests were then treated to a private concert by master pianist Robert Estrin, accompanied by his wife and master flutist Florence Estrin. 13-year-old piano prodigy, Bijan Taghavi, also wowed guests and had the crowd on its feet after his stunning performance. AFSC would also like to thank Arnetta Robinson and Heather Kurant of Silverado Senior Living for generously donating all of the evening’s delicious hors d’oeuvres and dessert.
|
|
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
(Huntington Beach, CA) – In November 2011, Alzheimer’s Family Services Center (AFSC) received a $15,000 grant from the George Hoag Family Foundation in support of Family Dementia Services.
In response to the needs of caregiving families in Orange County, AFSC has developed Family Dementia Services, a comprehensive set of services that includes dementia-specific adult day health care (ADHC), caregiver support, and education. The agency recognizes that no single intervention can fully ease the potential challenges involved in caring for a loved one with dementia. To successfully continue care at home, families need respite, a 24-hour plan of care, and ongoing support to manage emerging problems such as physician communication and night-time pacing.
|
|
Thursday, December 29, 2011
(Huntington Beach, CA) December 2011 — The board of directors of Alzheimer’s Family Services Center (AFSC) is pleased to announce that Alan S. Zamosky, Ph.D., has been selected to lead the agency as Executive Director.
Alan, a licensed psychologist, received his doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and practiced as a psychologist for many years in a variety of settings. To bolster his management skills he then decided to pursue and complete graduate training in business administration from the University of New Hampshire.
Since then, Alan has gained more than 20 years experience in the provision and management of behavioral health and community services in both for-profit and non-profit organizations. During that entire time he has managed or overseen the management of programs serving older adults.
Alan, his wife Lisa and eight year old son Jacob came to California from New York where he worked as Assistant Executive Director for a large community service organization in Westchester. He most recently served as Chief Executive Officer for Jewish Family Services of Orange County.
Tom Linden, AFSC Board Chair, notes, “We invested a good deal of time searching for the right individual to take over as AFSC’s executive director. The organization has amazing staff so finding someone with the necessary skills and the right personality was very important to all of us on the board. We believe Alan is the best person for the job and are excited to have him joining the team.”
Affiliated with the Hoag Neurosciences Institute, Alzheimer’s Family Services Center, an independent non-profit agency, is the only Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center in Orange County. The agency fulfills its mission to improve quality of life for families challenged by Alzheimer's disease or another dementia through services tailored to meet individual needs. AFSC offers a comprehensive set of critical services, including dementia-specific adult day health care, caregiver support, and education. To learn more, please call 714-593-9630 or visit www.AFSCenter.org.
|
