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Dear Caregivers,

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


SAVVY CAREGIVER TRAINING PROGRAM, STARTING NEXT TUESDAY FEBURARY 6TH: REGISTRATION CLOSING SOON


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 up and running again! 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.

RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT: DEMENTIA CAREBLAZERS


Here is another great recommendation from a COMPASS Caregiver. Dementia CareBlazers was created by Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board certified geropsychologist. Dr. Edmonds uses her website and social media platforms to provide dementia education, support and tips through videos as well as the option to join her program to get access to weekly support groups, courses and resources. Click here to access her website and social media accounts.


If you have a recommendation that you think other caregivers should know about, please pass it on! You can email Kate at kgruber@jfsdelaware.org or respond to this email.


UPCOMING EVENTS:

COMPASS Caregiver Therapy and Support Group

Wednesday February 7, 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, 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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