DONATE | OUR SERVICES | FEBRUARY 2025

Workshop Wednesday with Dr. Bruno Alvarez Concejo, MD

Dr. Bruno Alvarez Concejo, MD, will host February's “Workshop Wednesday,” on February 12, 2025, 11 am to 12 pm. He will present his topic from the 2024 Annual Education Conference, “The Latest Advancements in Alzheimer's Treatment.” If you missed hearing his presentation at the conference, here’s your chance to catch it.

If you can’t attend in person, Dr. Concejo’s presentation will be recorded and will be uploaded on The Bridge’s YouTube channel.

Welcome New Board Members to The Bridge Alzheimer's & Dementia Resource Center

The following individuals have been elected to the Board of Directors to serve a 3-year term. Please help us welcome our new Board members!

Meet Judy Bellew

Judy Bellew joins the board of directors with a deeply personal connection to The Bridge. While caring for her husband, David, who passed away in July 2024 following a four-year battle with Alzheimer’s, Judy found great value in the community and support The Bridge provided. She and David participated in nearly every event together.

Judy has over 42 years of experience in the insurance industry, including 26 years as Claims Manager at Querbes & Nelson Insurance Agency. Judy also served as Executive Director of the Rotary Club of Shreveport for 12 years before retiring in 2023.

Meet Genevieve Carlisle

Genevieve Carlisle’s connection to The Bridge is rooted in over 45 years of caregiving, first to her son with intellectual disabilities and later to her husband, Wayland, who passed away in November 2021 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2018. Her personal experience led her to become a facilitator for The Bridge’s caregiver support group at Trinity Heights Baptist Church, a role she is passionate about.

In addition to caregiving, Genevieve has served as President of the ARC of Caddo/Bossier Board of Directors, volunteered with the Red River Crossroads Historical Association, and served as an Elder at Belcher Presbyterian Church.

Meet Michele Sauls

Michele Sauls’ connection to The Bridge comes from her own experience as a caregiver. She, along with her family, cared for her mother, who lived to 97 and struggled with memory loss in her final years. This experience has given Michele a deep understanding of the challenges faced by both those with Alzheimer’s and their families.

Since 1988, Michele has been with Vintage Realty Company, specializing in brokerage, development, leasing, and property management across various commercial properties. Recognized as one of the top agents in the Shreveport-Bossier market for over 20 years, Michele also provides consulting services to corporate and local owner/investor groups.

Upcoming Events

February 4, 2025

6:00 p.m. – Dementia Families Support Group

• Location: The Blake – Bossier, 2000 Blake Blvd., Bossier City, LA 71111

February 11, 2025

Noon – Caregiver Support Group

• Location: Sabine Council on Aging, 200 Legacy Dr., Many, LA 71449

2:00 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

• Location: Trinity Heights Baptist Church, 3820 Old Mooringsport Rd., Shreveport, LA 71107

4:00 p.m. – Benton Support Group

• Location: Benton Council on Aging, 202 Sibley St., Benton, LA 71006

February 12, 2025

11:00 a.m. – Workshop Wednesday, "The Latest Advancements in Alzheimer's Treatment" by Dr. Bruno Alvarez Concejo, MD

• Location: The Bridge Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center, 851 Olive St., Shreveport, LA 71104

1:00 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

• Location: First Presbyterian Church - Shreveport, 900 Jordan St., Shreveport, LA 71101

5:00 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

• Location: Broadmoor Baptist Church, 4110 Youree Dr., Shreveport, LA 71105

February 13, 2025

Noon – Caregiver Support Group

• Location: First Methodist - Shreveport, 500 Common St., Shreveport, LA 71101

2:00 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

• Location: The Bridge Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center, 851 Olive St., Shreveport, LA 71104

February 17, 2025

CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAY

February 18, 2025

2:00 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

• Location: Natchitoches Council on Aging, 1016 Keyser Ave, Natchitoches, LA 71457

February 19, 2025

1:00 p.m. – Zoom Online Support Group

• Call The Bridge at 318-656-4800 for login information

February 21, 2025

11:00 a.m. – Alzheimer's/Dementia Caregiver Grief Support Group

• Location: The Bridge Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center, 851 Olive St., Shreveport, LA 71104

February 25, 2025

1:30 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

• Location: Ellerbe Road Methodist Church, 10130 Ellerbe Rd., Shreveport, LA 71106

February 26, 2025

1:00 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

• Location: First Presbyterian Church - Shreveport, 900 Jordan St., Shreveport, LA 71101

February 27, 2025

5:30 p.m. – Caregiver Support

• Location: Broadmoor Presbyterian Church - Adult Building, 1915 Grover Place, Shreveport, LA 71105

5:30 p.m. – Dementia Families Support Group

• Location: Brookdale Bossier, 2540 Beene Blvd, Bossier City, LA 71111

January Overview

January Workshop Wednesday

Dr. Jeff Overdyke presented the differences between "The Three D's: Delirium, Depression, and Dementia." Watch the presentation below.

Alecia Henderson Receives CDP Credentials

Congratulations to Alecia Henderson, Program & Education Coordinator at The Bridge. She has successfully completed the requirements of the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners and is now a credentialed CDP! In addition, Alecia is a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor.

*Please call to confirm the date and time of group meetings before attending for the first time. Facilitators vary.

To be able to say how you feel and have others understand.

To be angry and others will not say you should not feel like that.

To find help on how to handle difficult behavior problems.

To learn that you cannot and should not be the only one responsible for caring for a loved one who has the disease.

To learn where to go for help in caring for a loved one.

To realize it is possible to laugh at some of the impossible, crazy things that happen during a day with a person living with dementia.

To learn to stop trying to teach, or reason, with your loved one and instead accept that the way she/he sees things is very real for her/him.

To discover that it is important to have some time for yourself and not feel guilty about it.

To become aware of how much it helps to know you are not making this dementia journey alone.

To discover that coping is easier with the support and caring understanding of the others present.

Programs of The Bridge Alzheimer's & Dementia Resource Center are supported by

Community Foundation of North Louisiana ~ First Presbyterian Church Shreveport

Noel Foundation ~ The Alta and John Franks Foundation ~ The Thomas H. and Mayme P. Scott Foundation

The Bridge Alzheimer's & Dementia Resource Center

851 Olive Street

Shreveport, LA 71104

(318) 656-4800

www.alzbridge.org