DONATE | OUR SERVICES | MARCH 2025

Honoring a Legacy: The Hardin Family Raises Funds for The Bridge at the Haynesville Open

When Randy Hardin was diagnosed with dementia and Parkinson’s, his family found themselves unprepared for the emotional and physical toll of caregiving, unaware of the resources that could have provided much-needed support.

Miranda Kennedy, Randy’s daughter, reflects on how they didn’t know about vital resources like The Bridge Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center. She believes with better education, the family could have been better equipped to support both Randy and his wife, Sharon.

A fall caused by Randy’s lack of balance due to Parkinson’s led to a brain bleed, which rapidly worsened his dementia. “It was like his dementia went into warp speed,” Miranda recalls. Despite the increasing challenges, Sharon chose to be Randy’s primary caregiver, but as his condition progressed, Randy became prone to wandering, often trying to escape from home. “At one point, we hired a caregiver just so Sharon could have a quick break and sit outside for a moment.”

Miranda emphasizes how much more difficult the situation was than they had anticipated. “We underestimated how much help he would need and the toll it would take on my stepmother,” she says. “I wish we had known about The Bridge sooner, so we could have educated ourselves on how to better support both Randy and Sharon.”

In the years following her father’s passing at only 69, Miranda has dedicated herself to helping other families facing similar challenges. As the owner of Shale Energy Resources, Miranda channels her passion for community support into organizing fundraising events, including the Haynesville Open, a charity golf tournament she started in 2020 in honor of her father. Held at Querbes Golf Club in Shreveport, the event raises vital funds for The Bridge Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center, ensuring that families in need have access to the support they might otherwise miss.

The Fourth Annual Haynesville Open, which took place on September 10, 2024, marked another successful step in Miranda’s ongoing effort to honor her father’s memory while supporting The Bridge. A portion of the proceeds from the tournament was donated to The Bridge in his honor.

Shelley Miller, Miranda Kennedy, Mandy (Miranda’s sister), Toni Thompson, Paulette Freeman

Miranda and her sister Mandy

2024 Sponsors

2024 Haynesville Open

Workshop Wednesday with Mary Strong, LPC, RSW, RPT, CAS

Mary Stong will host March's “Workshop Wednesday,” on March 12, 2025, 11 am to 12 pm. She will present her topic from the 2024 Annual Education Conference, “Real Life Challenges.” If you missed hearing her presentation at the conference, here’s your chance to catch it.

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

Workshop Wednesday with Mary Strong, LPC, RSW, RPT, CAS

Mary Stong will host March's “Workshop Wednesday,” on March 12, 2025, 11 am to 12 pm. She will present her topic from the 2024 Annual Education Conference, “Real Life Challenges.” If you missed hearing her presentation at the conference, here’s your chance to catch it.

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

Upcoming Events

March 4, 2025

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

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

March 11, 2025

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

March 12, 2025

11:00 a.m. – Workshop Wednesday, "Real Life Challenges" by Mary Strong, LPC, RSW, RPT, CAS

• 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

March 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

March 18, 2025

2:00 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

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

March 19, 2025

1:00 p.m. – Zoom Online Support Group

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

March 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

March 25, 2025

1:30 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

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

March 26, 2025

1:00 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

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

March 27, 2025

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

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

The Bridge Alzheimer's & Dementia Resource Center is Seeking A Full-time Executive Director to Lead Us Into the Future

GENERAL SUMMARY

The person best suited for this vocational call must be a professional committed to the community, experienced, highly organized, passionate about the mission, have the skill set to perform in the social services, fundraising arena and have proven administrative ability. This challenging and ever-changing environment requires a high energy level and the ability to remain focused in an often-unpredictable atmosphere. The best candidate must be flexible with schedule, creative in facing challenges, motivated and energized by constant change.

The Executive Director is the Chief Executive Officer of The Bridge Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the organization’s successful leadership and management of the organization according to the strategic direction set by the Board of Directors.

The Executive Director will perform or oversee the accomplishment of the duties encompassing the following: Leadership, Operation Management, Facilities, Programs, Human Resources including Risk Management, Finance & Budget, Development & Fundraising, Community Relations & Outreach, Marketing & Advertising, and Advocacy.

Reports to: Directly reports to Board President; Executive Committee

Board: Serves as an advisor to all Board committees

Supervises: Directly supervises key staff while providing oversight to all other programs and administrative staff

Confidentiality: Maintain a strict code of ethics and confidentiality

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Attainment of an MBA or MSW or other equivalent advanced degree in a related field and/or ten years of increasingly responsible administrative experience, at least five of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity, preferably with a non-profit organization. The candidate must have a knowledge and track record of professional fund development, securing major gifts and raising public and private support.

Interested candidates should send their resume to: ED@alzbridge.org. Please no phone calls.

February Overview

February Workshop Wednesday

Watch below Dr. Bruno Alvarez Concejo's presentation, "The Latest Advancements in Alzheimer's Treatment"

Paulette Freeman’s Retirement Reception

On February 26, staff, board members, clients, community members, colleagues, friends, and family gathered to celebrate Paulette Freeman and bid her a heartfelt farewell at her retirement reception. We extend our best wishes to Paulette and her family as they embark on this exciting new chapter in Arkansas!

*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 Bridge Alzheimer's & Dementia Resource Center

851 Olive Street

Shreveport, LA 71104

(318) 656-4800

www.alzbridge.org