We have been so blessed by the interest and engagement with our Enrichment Club day program! In May we welcomed two new participants and we already have three more who will join us this month! We were thrilled to add Hannah and Taygan to our staff family as Enrichment Specialists, and Sarah as our Staff Assistant. A gracious thank you to Becky for joining us as a regular volunteer, and a warm welcome to UMHB graduate OT students Marcos and Bailey.

Center-based special events in June include weekly piano performances by Sarah Young, a Camp Out themed afternoon, and Ice Cream Social. Ringo, our therapy dog, will visit on Wednesdays this month.

Beginning this week, we are expanding our day program to include weekly outings! We will visit the Bell County Museum, enjoy a picnic in the park, view art exhibits at the Temple Cultural Activities Center, and have fun at the UMHB Memory Cafés this month. Participants who attend Enrichment Club on the day of an outing are welcome to join us for these exciting, free trips!

Dementia Partners

Summer Speaker Series

1st and 3rd Wednesdays

6:00 - 7:00 PM

This month kicks off our Summer Speaker Series! Our support group sessions will feature guest professionals who offer services and guidance specific to people with dementia and their caregivers. Learn from their expertise, get answers to your questions, and make important contacts.

June 5: Kim Naylor & John Darby from Mercy House will share insight into memory care. They will discuss preparing for memory care, funding options, and different levels of memory care.

June 19: Altus Hospice representatives June Rosas & Johnny Tindell will explain services and benefits of hospice, when and how to engage hospice support, and paying for hospice care.

July 3: Allison Rosen, Occupational Therapist & Owner of Manifold Grace, will introduce the Skills2 Care program. Developed by researchers at Thomas Jefferson University, Skills2Care is an evidence-based program to help care partners of people with dementia manage daily challenges more effectively.

August 7: Dr. Chitra Hamilton, physician of geriatric medicine at Baylor Scott & White, will share tips for communicating with healthcare providers, including important questions to ask, preparing for doctor appointments, speaking about dementia issues and including the person with dementia in discussions with providers, and caregiver responsibilities.

Additional guests may be added!

Registration not required.

60-minute Enrichment for people with dementia available for $10

(registration required).

Dementia 101: Navigating Dementia Diagnosis & Symptoms

Saturday, June 15

10:00 - 11:30 AM

In this free 90-minute class, participants will learn about the different types of dementia, how dementia progresses, and typical symptoms of various dementias. Graduate students from UMHB will provide practical tips for managing dementia and offer resources for home safety and organization. Attendees will preview the newly created Caregiver Binder, and learn how to access this helpful tool.

Our Enrichment Club Art Show will be on exhibit during this class. We look forward to sharing our creative works with you!

Registration is required.

90-minute Enrichment available for people with dementia available for $15.

Enrichment House: Limited Space Available!

On July 1, we will open the Enrichment House in West Temple, providing a supportive, secure, engaging environment for three people with dementia. This unique living arrangement fosters socialization, encourages independence, and ensures security. Residents feel purpose and attend our Enrichment Club day program on weekdays. Highly qualified staff will support residents by providing meals, household and laundry services, and personal care assistance. For more information, please contact Hailey Peek at (254) 448-0321 or hailey@dementiec.com.

Do you have a talent, skill, or knowledge to share with our Enrichment Club day program or Dementia Partners support group?

Free Memory Cafés

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Occupational Therapy Department, in collaboration with the UMHB Arts Academy invites you to their Memory Café series.

Memory Cafés are fun social gatherings where participants relax, participate in arts-based activities, and enjoy snacks and socialization.

These free events are open to members of our community living with dementia and their care partners, friends, or family members. Cafés are held at the Area Agency on Aging, 2180 N. Main St., Belton, on the following dates at 10:00AM.

June 21: Enjoy and reminisce about music

June 28: Engage in creative movement

July 5: Create a simple, meaningful craft

Please call the Area Agency on Aging @ (254) 770-2330 to register. Space is limited. For questions or information, please contact Laura Novak at lnovak@umhb.edu.

Be Prepared

As we all know, storm season is upon us. Did you find yourself ill-prepared for recent storm activity? Are feeling unsure if you are properly prepared for our next weather event? Bell County Public Health offers a free Family Disaster Preparedness guide. To learn more about disaster preparedness kits and what should be included in yours, please click here.

Caregivers have an added layer of emergency preparedness responsibilities. In the event of an emergency, they may need to use a backup caregiver to ensure their loved one is safe. Talk with people in your support system and explore temporary care options. Put a plan in writing so that if an emergency arises, alternative caregiving arrangements will be ready and available.

Dementia is a journey. We walk it with you.