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Dear Caregivers,

Welcome to another week!

See below for this week's news and announcements.


SPOTLIGHT ON COMPASS MEMORY CAFE


Over the next few weeks, we are going to be introducing our outstanding COMPASS Memory Cafe staff and sharing more about the program! As a reminder, Memory Cafe meets on Tuesday mornings from 10am-12pm at the JCC, and is a safe, supportive space for individuals experiencing memory changes to enjoy socialization and engaging activities through an individualized, inclusive approach. This week, we are introducing Memory Cafe lead, Vlad Cerbov. Stay tuned for next week's installment!


Meet Vlad Cerbov - COMPASS Memory Cafe 

Dear COMPASS Caregivers, nice to meet you! My name is Vlad Cerbov and I lead the COMPASS Memory Cafe which meets on Tuesday mornings at the JCC. 


I was born and raised in the Republic of Moldova, a small country sandwiched between Ukraine and Romania. I speak three languages and I worked in the nonprofit sector when I lived in Eastern Europe.  I moved to Philadelphia, United States, in December 2018, and my first job was at a home care agency, where I fell in love with working with older adults. I was drawn by their wisdom and appreciation of life. So much so that I am currently pursuing my masters degree in social work, with a concentration in Gerontology.


My life changed drastically on February 24, 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, and my heart was breaking seeing Ukrainian cities getting destroyed and civilians murdered. I decided to change my job and applied to JFS Delaware to work as a Community Relations Manager. I got this job, and I was lucky enough to participate in the resettlement of the Ukrainian refugees, thus directly supporting and helping people that were so close to my home. 


Working with the refugees prompted me to seek more information on best practices, and I decided to apply to Yeshiva University in New York City to obtain a second master’s degree in social work, to deepen my knowledge and better understand people's needs, with a concentration in Gerontology.


When the opportunity to re-vision and lead the COMPASS Memory Cafe was presented to me in August 2023, I accepted it without hesitation because I wanted to work to improve the quality of life of people who are battling dementia. I am thrilled to lead the Memory Café and honored to interact with some of the most interesting people that I have ever worked with. 


I could not do this work without the support of the JFS leadership; my supervisor, Dr. D’Souza; COMPASS Care Manager, Kate Gruber; and my wonderful Memory Cafe colleagues Takiyah Augustine and Amanda Taylor.  


I encourage you to come and experience our Memory Cafe for yourself! We embrace each of our participants as unique individuals and strive to meet each person wherever they are. Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions. 


Take care,

Vlad Cerbov, JFS Community Relations Manager and MSW Student

Lead, COMPASS Memory Cafe

vcerbov@jfsdelaware.org

CAREGIVER TIP OF THE WEEK: Halloween Safety Tips for Families Affected by Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer's Foundation of America

Here is another great resource from a COMPASS Caregiver.


With Americans getting ready to celebrate Halloween, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is offering safety tips for family caregivers to protect their loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses.



“Like with many other traditions, there are adaptations families can make to help their relatives living with dementia have a safe and enjoyable Halloween,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s president & CEO. “We encourage caregivers to follow a few quick and easy steps to keep the ‘Happy’ in ‘Happy Halloween’ on October 31st.”


AFA advises family caregivers to consider the following:


  • Don’t leave your loved one alone to give out candy. Having strangers continually knocking on the door in costumes can potentially be frightening, confusing and/or disruptive to someone living with a dementia-related illness. It can also be a safety risk. If the person wants to participate in giving out candy, have a someone there to help them or make arrangements for the person to go to a relative or friend’s house to engage with trick-or-treaters.
  • Keep the lights on in your home. A dark home gives the impression that no one is inside, making it more inviting for burglars or vandals. Have interior and exterior lights lit. Keep candy outside your door for trick-or-treaters with a sign that says “Please Take One.”
  • Don’t let trick-or-treaters inside: Unless the person knocking is someone you know well, do not invite trick-or-treaters into the home. Even someone accompanied by a young child asking to use the restroom or phone could be scoping out the home to come back later with criminal intent.
  • Help the person relax: Halloween is full of distractions and stimuli, some of which can be upsetting or frightening to someone living with dementia. Playing soothing music, engaging in a quiet activity such as reading a book together and soothing reassurance are all ways to help the person if they become agitated.
  • Avoid exposure to interactive decorations. Decorations that talk or scream when someone passes by, as well as those with flashing or flickering lights, can be frightening for someone living with dementia and lead them to wander away, even from their own home. Fake skeletons, cobwebs, witches and monsters, even if non-interactive, can also potentially be upsetting and scary.


Families who have questions about caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s disease can contact AFA’s Helpline at 866-232-8484 or by clicking here to speak with a licensed social worker. The Helpline is open seven days a week.

CAREGIVER TIP: Fraud Alert - Scam Calls Targeting Older Adults


Recent increase in reports of government imposter scam calls, including some claiming to be from Eldercare Locator.


ACL’s Eldercare Locator and Disability Information & Access Line (DIAL) are trusted resources that help connect older adults and people with disabilities with resources in their community. In recent days, Eldercare Locator has noted a significant increase in people reporting they have been targeted by scam phone calls. This includes reports of:


  • Callers claiming to be from “Eldercare,” “Eldercare Locator,” “Social Security,” or “Medicare.”
  • Callers asking for personal information such as someone's Social Security number, banking information, or Medicare number — or demanding payment, threatening jail time, or fines.
  • Harassment, including repeat calls from the same number.


We hope you will help us get the word out about government imposter scams. Here are some important reminders to share:


  1. The government will never call out of the blue and ask for a Social Security number.
  2. The government will never ask for payment by gift card or wire transfer.
  3. Social Security numbers cannot be suspended.


These general tips can also help everyone protect themselves:


  • If you are ever suspicious about a call, hang up immediately. Find the organization’s contact information on your own (don’t use caller ID), and call or email them directly to discuss the situation.
  • Never give out your Social Security number, banking information, or Medicare number to anyone who contacts you through unsolicited calls, texts, or emails.
  • Never pay someone you do not know well via gift card or wire transfer.
  • Never click on an email link or attachment, unless you fully trust the sender.
  • Sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry.


Older adults who are targeted by scams and fraud can call the Department of Justice’s National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).


MEMORY CAFE: OPENINGS NOW AVAILABLE!


We have decided to open up a few more slots for COMPASS patients to attend the COMPASS Memory Cafe! Any COMPASS patient is now welcome to enroll (it is no longer required that attendees have a caregiver who is enrolled in the Savvy Caregiver class). 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 until 12/5, 10a-12p (no Memory Cafe on 11/21)
  • Held at the JCC but please enter through JFS


Registration is required in advance. Please contact Kate to register.


UPCOMING EVENTS:

Savvy Caregiver Training Program and Memory Cafe

Tuesday October 31, 10a-12p


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.  


Registration for the fall 2023 session of Savvy Caregiver is currently closed but be on the lookout for spring 2024 registration in the coming months.

COMPASS Caregiver Therapy and Support Group

Wednesday November 1, 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.  


Limited spots are now available. Please email Kate if you would like to enroll in this group.

JFS COMPASS Holiday Gathering

Tuesday December 12, 10:30a-12:00p

Location: SIEGEL JCC (building connected to JFS)


Please join us for a festive gathering for COMPASS patients and caregivers to come together with each other and with the COMPASS Team this holiday season. Feel free to join for some or all of the time. Coffee and light refreshments will also be provided.


More information to come in the following weeks! 

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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