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Dear Caregivers,

Welcome to another week!  See below for this week's news and announcements.


CAREGIVER CORNER: "How are you?"

We are excited to share a new feature in the Weekly Caregiver Email! "Caregiver Corner" will be a space for you, our caregivers, to share and express thoughts to each other. Thank you to the COMPASS Caregiver who suggested this idea and contributed the following initial "Caregiver Corner" piece, with the goal of helping fellow caregivers. Please let Kate know if you would like to submit something to share in a future newsletter.




Dear Fellow COMPASS Caregivers,


As a caregiver, I’ve learned that the simple phrase “How are you” takes on new meaning. Three simple, well-intentioned words in the English language - “how are you”. The internet says that the phrase “how are you” is a truncated expression for - “How are you in health”. Experts believe that we’ve used this expression for over 350 years. Some of these same experts feel that we should not use this expression at all and suggest a number of alternatives.


It appears that over time, “How are you”, has become a polite, courteous phrase and not necessarily a serious inquiry about the other person's well-being. The phrase has become a pleasantry and is not to be interpreted literally. Although the intent of this greeting is one that conveys care about another's well being - I have found that the response is usually never genuine. If you are a caregiver (as I am), and reading this, you know what I mean and you probably give one of the standard answers - fine, good, ok etc.


Humans experience life with more than one feeling at a time. We have different perspectives, most likely based on experiences (good and bad). We see what’s positive and what’s challenging at the same time. Let’s face it, everyone is struggling in some way. As caregivers our struggle is; Well it’s OUR struggle! So, as a caregiver, when anyone (especially complete strangers) asks “how are you”, I reply with a one note answer as well. I have found that even close friends really don’t want to hear how you are really doing as a caregiver - chances are they too may be struggling…


As caregivers we have taken on a new life for ourselves that many of us were never prepared for - physically, emotionally, financially, spiritually, you name it. We caregivers have a mountain of responsibilities - i.e. medications, doctors appointments, hygiene, etc .etc. (you know the list - it is never ending) and let's not forget our own needs! At times, the level of seriousness we have been entrusted with, allows little time for fun. So let me end this with what I hope you will find some humor in: Last week while checking out at the grocery store, there were four young ladies - register, bagger and two trainees. The young lady bagging recognized me and said - Hi, how are you? Rather than providing the standard one note answer, I thought for a moment and answered: Miserable, rotten and no damn good, but thank you SO much for asking! Barely a second went by and all of them began to laugh, including the couple behind me and the cashier next to me! Obviously NOT the one note answer many of us probably respond with! Two of the people laughing said that they planned to use that answer in the future. As a caregiver, I was having a particularly challenging day that day, and decided that humor would be a good answer vs a genuine answer with a group of complete strangers, who were most likely only being polite.


So, Caregivers: Really, how are you? How are you doing - right now? How are you in health? Take care of yourself, there is a person that you are caring for, that is depending on YOU…. Until next time…



Signed,

Your Fellow COMPASS Caregiver


SAVVY CAREGIVER TRAINING PROGRAM, STARTING TUESDAY FEBURARY 6TH: REGISTRATION NOW OPEN


Savvy Caregiver is an evidence-based 12-week group training program to develop caregiving skill mastery for family members providing care for people with dementia. Program participants will increase their knowledge on the stages of dementia, common behavioral symptoms of dementia, and better managing their own level of caregiver stress. After completion of the class, students will be prepared to correctly plan and respond to behavioral issues related to dementia . The Savvy Caregiver program is facilitated by two licensed (LMSW) social workers with significant training in dementia and behavioral health. 

 

The COMPASS team is proud to offer this course to our COMPASS clients every Tuesday from 10:15-11:45 starting on February 6th. It will be hosted at the JFS Wilmington location. Additionally, the JCC will be hosting a Memory Cafe from 10 am to noon for clients with dementia. Savvy participants are encouraged to bring their person with dementia to the Memory Cafe.


Past students have provided these testimonials on how Savvy helped them improve as caregivers. One past participant stated, "the program has helped me keep calm and I am routinely reminded that I am not alone in this". Savvy taught one student how to, "be patient with my person and better control my frustration."


For another student, Savvy helped them, "improve my understanding of dementia and therefore helped me create a better response" to dementia-related behaviors. Savvy also emphasized and reminded one student to "make sure I am taking care of me!"


Last semester's Savvy Caregiver participants saw an average increase of 10 points on the Caregiver Self-Efficacy Scale. ALL participants who completed the class in full had measurable increases in their confidence as caregivers.


Registration is required for both programs; to register, respond to this email to let Kate Gruber know of your interest, and you will subsequently be contacted by the Savvy Caregiver facilitators to confirm your registration. There is no additional cost for COMPASS caregivers to participate in this course, but there is a $20 materials fee for the participant manual/workbook. Please note that Savvy Caregiver does not have a virtual option at this time.

MEMORY CAFE: STARTING TUESDAY JANUARY 23


We are also excited to announce that Memory Cafe is starting up again next week! Memory Cafe is a safe, supportive space for individuals experiencing memory changes to enjoy engaging activities that focus on strengths and are planned to encourage inclusion of all guests.  Memory Cafe is open to all COMPASS Patients and is facilitated by JFS staff. Caregivers are welcome to accompany their person with dementia or patients can attend alone.


Memory Cafe will run every Tuesday starting January 23rd, from 10a-12p in the JCC (Gameesh Room). Please enter through JFS.


You do not need to be attending Savvy Caregiver in order for your person with dementia to attend Memory Cafe. Registration is required and can be done by responding to this email.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

COMPASS Caregiver Therapy and Support Group

Wednesday January 24, 5-6 PM


Did you know that the COMPASS community has an ongoing therapy group for caregivers? The COMPASS Caregiver Therapy and Support Group is co-led by JFS social work clinicians (Emily Barnshaw and Jordan Gerecke) and is billed through our participant’s insurance. It is strictly for COMPASS caregivers, and the focus for each session is on introducing and developing various therapy concepts that directly connect to the caregiving experience and stress that comes with it. It is an active group, and participants often use their insight and personal experiences to take the conversation into productive and new directions. We meet virtually on a bi-weekly basis (every other Wednesday from 5-6pm). Due to insurance, this group is only available to caregivers who reside in Delaware.  


Also please note that this group is currently at capacity. If you would like to be added to the waiting list, please email Kate. 

Memory Cafe

Tuesdays, starting January 23, 10a-12p at the JCC (Gameesh Room)


Memory Cafe is a safe, supportive space for individuals experiencing memory changes to enjoy engaging activities that focus on strengths and are planned to encourage inclusion of all guests.  Memory Cafe is facilitated by JFS staff and caregivers are welcome to accompany their person with dementia or patients can attend alone.


  • Every Tuesday, 10a-12p
  • Held at the JCC but please enter through JFS


Registration for Memory Cafe is required in advance. Please contact Kate to register.


Savvy Caregiver

Tuesdays, Starting February 6, 10a-12p at JFS


Registration is now open! Please respond to this email to register or to request more information.


Savvy Caregiver is a nationally recognized leading evidence-based dementia family caregiver training program designed to provide mastery over caregiving skills. Led by COMPASS team social workers, Laura Dickol, LMSW and Barb Hughes, LMSW, the program will provide participants mastery of dementia knowledge and caregiving skills as you care for your relative living with dementia. As an option for your person with dementia, we will also be offering Memory Cafe to run concurrently at the JCC from 10am-12pm.

COMPASS ON CALL SERVICE:

PHONE NUMBER: (302) 530-3159         


HOURS: Weekdays/Business Days: 5PM – 8AM

               Weekends/Non-Business Days: 24/7

  • The COMPASS On Call service is available to assist with urgent patient/caregiver needs related to the patient’s dementia care plan, such as providing support and guidance if the patient is experiencing a behavioral symptom crisis or if the caregiver is experiencing a caregiver stress crisis
  • The COMPASS On Call Service is staffed by JFS clinical staff from across the agency, including social workers and care managers, who work closely with the COMPASS team. Your call will be returned within 1 hour. 
  • Non-urgent needs, such as canceling/rescheduling appointments or prescription refill requests, are best addressed by the COMPASS team during business hours. Non-urgent information can still be sent to COMPASS team members after hours by voicemail or portal message.  
  • Patients and Caregivers are directed to contact the patient’s primary care provider regarding concerns related to the patient’s general medical conditions and any urgent medical symptoms. For medical emergencies, call 9-1-1. 

COMPASS PATIENT PORTAL:

Access the COMPASS portal here or click on the box below.

COMPASS PATIENT PORTAL

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The JFS COMPASS Mission is to provide specialized medical care for older adults with dementia and just as importantly, critical support for their caregivers—including education, counseling and improved access to services—with the over-arching goal that patients and families affected by dementia in our community will receive the care and support they need to navigate the challenges they face. We strive to do this with a spirit of service and compassion. 

Jewish Family Services of Delaware (JFS) is a nonprofit human services agency with a mission to strengthen individuals, families, and the community by providing counseling and support services. With an interdisciplinary and innovative approach, we combine talent, expertise, and leadership to make our robust therapeutic and support services available to everyone, regardless of religion, race, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or special need.

99 Passmore Road
Wilmington, DE 19803

20684 John J Williams Hwy, Suite 4
Lewes, DE 19958

(302) 478-9411
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