DONATE | OUR SERVICES | JANUARY 2025

Dr. Jeff Overdyke Kicks Off Workshop Wednesday in 2025 with the Topic: “The 3 D's: Depression, Delirium, & Dementia”

Dr. Jeff Overdyke, board member and retired geriatric psychiatrist, will kick off the newly renamed educational series, “Workshop Wednesday,” originally “First Wednesday Workshop,” on January 8, 2025, 11am to 12pm. He will present his topic from the 2024 Annual Education Conference, “Depression, Delirium, & Dementia.” If you missed hearing his presentation at the conference, here’s your chance to catch it. If you can’t attend in person, Dr. Overdyke’s presentation will be videoed, and you can view it on The Bridge’s YouTube channel.

“Moving the date of our monthly educational workshops from the first Wednesday of each month to the second Wednesday of each month, gives us more time to publicize the event,” stated Laura Gauthier, Program & Education Director at The Bridge Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center. “The workshop is open to the public and there is no charge to attend. There will be time for questions following his talk."

2024 Recap

As we welcome a new year, let’s take a moment to reflect on 2024 and the many memories and accomplishments at The Bridge Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center.

Our monthly First Wednesday Workshop series for caregivers began with an insightful session on Dementia Prevention by Dr. Mandy Crow. If you missed any of these presentations, you can find them on our YouTube channel, website, and social media platforms.

Our Wednesday with Friends program provided uplifting and therapeutic joint activities for caregivers and their loved ones living with dementia. From potting spring flowers to playing BINGO, participants enjoyed meaningful moments of connection and socialization.

We continued our monthly collaboration with the Noel Arts Community Program volunteers, who provided creative and engaging activities such as painting classes and drumming & percussion lessons for caregivers and their loved ones living with dementia.

In 2024, we expanded caregiver support by hosting 15 support groups throughout the Shreveport/Bossier area. New groups were launched at First Methodist Church and The Oaks at Willis-Knighton. Additionally, we introduced a grief support group for those who have lost a family member to Alzheimer’s or dementia, led by Anthony Williams, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board Member.

Our community outreach and awareness efforts continued to grow through presentations to civic groups, church organizations, and rural and underserved communities. We also started a series of community forums where participants were designated as members of our “Dementia Friendly Community.” Participation in KSLA’s Senior Focus series further enhanced community awareness.

We ventured into physician outreach by collaborating with Internal Medicine residents at LSU Health Shreveport. These residents spent valuable time engaging with The Bridge and caregivers as part of their geriatric rotation.

The year’s most exciting announcement came with a $130,800 award from the Center for Dementia & Respite Innovation and the Alzheimer’s Association. This grant will allow us to establish a dementia-specific respite service, set to launch in 2025.

In a touching moment, we held our first Service of Remembrance, honoring those who passed away after their journeys with Alzheimer’s or dementia. The ceremony included a reading of names and the chiming of a bell, offering a special and meaningful tribute. This event will now become an annual tradition.

We concluded the year with our 4th Annual Education Conference on Alzheimer’s & Dementia, which saw record-breaking attendance from healthcare professionals and caregivers. Attendees participated in valuable breakout sessions, including strategies for interacting with individuals with dementia.

In community service, our Executive Director, Paulette Freeman, served as a mentor in the nonprofit capacity building cohort by LSUS’s Institute for Nonprofit Administration and sponsored by Community Foundation of North Louisiana. She and Laura Gauthier, Program & Education Director, served on the Northwest Louisiana Crisis Response Coalition. Gauthier provided bi-monthly dementia training to first responders and law enforcement in collaboration with the Shreveport Police Department. In statewide community service, Freeman is also a member of the Louisiana Alzheimer’s Coalition. Their work on these service committees will continue in 2025.

Overall, our work in expanding our education, resources, and support services to those impacted by Alzheimer’s and dementia continues to grow with the help of many donors, including the following: Community Foundation of North Louisiana, First Presbyterian Church, Shreveport, Noel Foundation, The Alta and John Franks Foundation, Powers Foundation, and The Thomas H. and Mayme P. Scott Foundation. Together we are “Creating a community where no one affected by Alzheimer’s or dementia makes the journey alone.”

The staff at The Bridge Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center wishes you a Happy New Year!

Upcoming Events

January 1, 2025

CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAY

January 7, 2025

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

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

January 8, 2024

11:00 a.m. – Workshop Wednesday, "The 3 D's: Delirium, Depression, & Dementia" by Dr. Jeff Overdyke

• 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

January 9, 2024

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

January 14, 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

January 15, 2024

1:00 p.m. – Zoom Online Support Group

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

January 17, 2024

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

January 20, 2025

CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAY

January 21, 2024

2:00 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

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

January 22, 2024

1:00 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

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

1:00 p.m. – Alzheimer's & Dementia Community Forum

• Location: Bienville Parish Library Saline Branch, 1434 4th St, Saline, LA 71070

January 23, 2024

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 28, 2024

1:30 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

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

December Overview

Appreciation for Outgoing Board Member Johnett Waterman

At our December Board of Directors meeting, we gave our thanks and appreciation to Johnett Waterman for her 3 years of service on the Board. Two of those three years she served as Secretary. We will miss her dedication to our mission and vision!

Pictured left is Bridget Lyman, Board President, who speaks on behalf of the Bridge Directors to Johnett Waterman, pictured right, who has fulfilled her 3-year term on the Board of Directors.

Appreciation for Kedgy Larson

Thank you to Kedgy Larson Fitness Lady Louisiana Womens Fitness and Water Aerobics who has hosted and facilitated one of our caregiver support groups for 5 years! We appreciate your dedication and support to our mission.

Laura Gauthier speaks with KSLA

Excellent exchange of information between our Program & Education Director, Laura Gauthier, with Alexandria Savage with KSLA/Ark-La-Tex on December 9.

An Alzheimer's or dementia diagnosis can be devastating, but The Bridge Alzheimer's & Dementia Resource Center is working to make it easier for families.

Executive Director, Paulette Freeman Installed and Sworn Into Shreveport Mayor's Women Commission

The Shreveport Mayor’s Women’s Commission was established in July 1984, with 27 women from diverse backgrounds and communities selected to serve. Today, under the leadership and guidance of Mayor Tom Arceneaux, the commission continues to actively work to identify the needs of Shreveport women and youth and provide innovative methods of addressing how those needs can best be met. Congratulations, Paulette!

Our Favorite 2024 Moments in Pictures

Alecia speaking at Fitness Lady

Paint pouring class

Laura speaking at The Glen CEU event for social workers.

Our new signage and landscaping.

Huge Announcement: The Bridge is awarded $130,800 for a dementia specific respite service.

Our 4th Annual Education Conference!

5 staff members finished Beginning Validation Training course.

Staff at our Open House

Board of Directors at our Open House

Give for Good 2024

Dianne picking out the spring flowers for Wednesday with Friends program.

Our Open House celebrating the purchase of our building, 851 Olive St.

Internal Medicine residents from LSU Med School touring our building.

Mary speaking at the CHEN CEU event.

Donation from Commission for Women of Bossier City.

Laura speaking at the Bienville Library in Arcadia.

A favorite program, Wednesday with Friends, a sing-along with local musician Scott Lowe.

Our first Service of Remembrance honoring those who have passed away after their difficult Alzheimer’s and dementia journey.

Nonprofit cohort through LSUS’s INAR sponsored by CFNLA.

Open House

Stacey speaking at the CHEN CEU event.

The Bridge Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center is pleased to provide the organization’s 2023 Annual Report. Inside you will find a message from our executive director, a message from our outgoing Board president, highlights of our program, and our Donor Honor Roll. We’re calling it our Donor Honor Roll because we are honored that you chose The Bridge as an organization to donate to and become a part of by your gift.

*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