DONATE | OUR SERVICES | OCTOBER 2024

The Bill Roberts Memorial & Awareness of Frontotemporal Dementia

William “Bill” Roberts was a man who lived life with passion, warmth, and a love for music and family. Born in Natchitoches, LA, on November 30, 1959, and raised in Shreveport, Bill carried with him a joyful spirit that touched the lives of everyone he met. After graduating from Southwood High School, he attended Mississippi College, where he earned his degree in Religious Music in 1981 and shared his talent as a proud member of the singing group “The Naturals.” Bill’s journey took him from leading music at First Baptist Blanchard to a successful career with State Farm, but through it all, his greatest pride remained his two children, Scott and Rachel. Bill’s story is one of love, resilience, and the power of music—a legacy his family is determined to continue by supporting others facing similar challenges.

Bill with his children, Scott and Rachel

Upcoming Events

October 1, 2024

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

• Location: The Blake of Bossier City, 200 The Blake Blvd., Bossier City, LA 71111

October 2, 2024

11:00 a.m. – First Wednesday Workshop: Medicare Enrollment Information – Bridget Lyman

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

October 5, 2024

10:00 a.m. – LDH Community Health & Resource Fair

• Location: Red River Community Center, 1603 Ringgold Ave, Coushatta, LA 71019

October 8, 2024

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. – Caregiver Support Group

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

October 9, 2024

11:00 a.m. – Wednesday with Friends: An Autumn Craft with Dan Hignight

• 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

October 10, 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

October 16, 2024

1:00 p.m. – Zoom Online Support Group

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

October 17, 2024

10:00 a.m. – Art Connection

• Location: Noel Memorial UMC, 520 Herndon St., Shreveport, LA 71101

October 18, 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

October 19, 2024

9:30 a.m. – Caregiver Support Group

• Location: Fitness Lady, 1700 Old Minden Rd. #180, Bossier City, LA 71111

October 22, 2024

1:30 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

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

October 23, 2024

9:30 a.m. – BCOA Fall Health Fair

• Location: Bossier Council on Aging, 706 Bearkat Dr, Bossier City, LA 71111

1:00 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

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

October 24, 2024

10:00 a.m. – Dementia Family Support Group

• Location: The Oaks of Louisiana, 600 E Flournoy Lucas Rd., Shreveport, LA 71115

2:00 p.m. – Drum and Hand Percussion Group

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

5:30 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

• 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

October 25, 2024

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. – Lakeside Community Center Fall Health Fair

• Location: Lakeside Community Center, 2200 Milam St, Shreveport, LA 71103

4th Annual Education Conference on Alzheimer’s & Dementia

Registration is now open!

Family Caregiver/General Public: $25

Professional Healthcare Workers: $30

Professional CEUs: $60

(RN, LPC, SW, NFA)

Conference Goals

The goal of the conference is to provide engagement and empowerment tools for family members, caregivers, and professionals caring for individuals affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias by using a hands-on approach so that persons with all levels of cognitive impairment can engage, interact, and communicate with another, thus mitigating the negative effects of social isolation for themselves and their families.

“Engage, Empower, Educate” Objectives

• Learn to practice validation techniques with individuals living with cognitive change to help restore their dignity
• Help families, staff, and all participants achieve empathy with aging
• Develop empathetic listening skills and responses
• Recognize the importance of quality of life in a nursing home
• Discover digital technology and how it can enhance the wellbeing of dementia individuals
• Understand the importance of independence and when to intervene
• Recognize and address delirium, depression, and dementia in elder care
• Learn how to reduce risks in a home setting
• How to better cope with death, dying, and grief
• Understand the day-to-day challenges of caring for a dementia individual
• Gain new knowledge of the latest treatment for Alzheimer’s

The Bridge 4th Annual Education Conference on Alzheimer’s & Dementia Keynote Speaker Eric Portnoff

The Bridge Plans Service of Remembrance

The Bridge Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center will hold a Service of Remembrance on Friday, November 1, 2024, 10:00 a.m. in the chapel of First Presbyterian Church, 900 Jordan St, Shreveport. This service is for those who at any time in their lives, have lost a family member or friend to dementia. The service will be led by the Rev. Dr. Jim Freeman of Broadmoor Presbyterian Church and the meditation will be provided by the Rev. Dr. Carl Rhoads, retired minister, board member, and treasurer of The Bridge. A portion of the service will involve reading the deceased name followed by a bell chime. If you would like to have your family member or friend’s name read during the service, please contact The Bridge at 318-656-4800. A reception will follow the service.

Friends of the Community Decal Program Launched to Improve Communication with Individuals with Special Needs

The Shreveport Police Department in collaboration with our law enforcement partners at the Bossier City Police Department and the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office are excited to announce the launch of a new voluntary disability decal program called “Friends of the Community.” This initiative promotes better communication and understanding between law enforcement and individuals with special needs.

The “Friends of the Community” program provides residents with a decal that helps first responders identify individuals who may have difficulty communicating or understanding directions during an emergency. The decals should be placed near the front window of a home or on the rear driver’s side window of a vehicle, making them easily visible to first responders.

By clearly identifying special needs, these decals aim to improve safety and ensure that interactions with law enforcement are conducted with greater sensitivity and awareness.

“Effective communication is essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals,” said Sgt. Matt Hannah of the Bossier City Police Department. “This program is a significant step towards bridging gaps and fostering a more inclusive environment where everyone’s needs are recognized and respected.”

How to Participate: Individuals interested in participating in the “Friends of the Community” program can obtain their decals at no cost from any of the three participating agencies. The information provided for decal registration will remain confidential and will only be utilized by first responders during emergencies.



Read More

Decal Pickup Locations:

Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office:

• Pick up locations: Any Caddo Sheriff’s sub-stations, Safety Town, or the Community Relations and Crime Prevention office located at 1501 Corporate Drive, Shreveport, LA 71107.

Bossier City Police Department:

• Point of Contact: Sgt. Mathew Hannah
• Email: hannahm@bossiercity.org
• Phone: 318-549-4596
• Pick up location: 620 Benton Rd., Bossier City, LA 71111

Shreveport Police Department:

• Point of Contact: Lt. Amy Bowman – Community Policing Bureau
• Email: amy.bowman@shreveportla.gov
• Phone: 318-673-6950
• Pick up location: 1234 Texas St., Shreveport, LA 71101

If you would like a decal for your loved one or family member with Alzheimer’s or dementia, fill out the form HERE.

Bridget Lyman will be the featured speaker at the First Wednesday Workshop on October 2nd at 11:00 a.m. The topic for this month is "Medicare Enrollment Information." This workshop is free to attend and no reservations are required. It will be held at The Bridge Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center, located at 851 Olive Street, Shreveport, LA.

Join us on October 9 at 11:00 a.m. at The Bridge for an autumn craft with Dan Hignight. This activity is open to caregivers and their family member living with dementia.

The Bridge Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center will be participating in several health fairs this month. We will be available to provide resources and answer any questions you may have about Alzheimer's and dementia.

ART can connect us socially, boost cognitive function, stimulate language, reawaken memories, & provide a sense of accomplishment. Join us every third Thursday at 10:00 am at Noel United Methodist Church. Thank you to the Noel Community Arts Program for sponsoring this activity!

This activity is open to caregivers and their family member living with dementia.

The Bridge Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center (The Bridge) provides a Caregiver Grief Support Group for those who have lost a family member to Alzheimer’s and other dementias. The group is led by Anthony Williams, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Bridge Board of Directors member. The Bridge realized the importance of this grief support group after talking to caregivers who have lost their loved one. People grieving family members who have died after a long-term decline, due to Alzheimer’s and dementia have different needs.

If you have lost a family member to Alzheimer’s or dementia or know of someone who has, you can call The Bridge at 318-656-4800 for more information.

Join us for an informative and exciting session where we will explore various drums, hand percussion instruments, and participate in a drum circle. This event is open to caregivers and their family members or friends with dementia. Drum and Hand Percussion is every fourth Thursday at 2:00 pm at The Bridge Alzheimer's & Dementia Resource Center, located at 851 Olive St, Shreveport. Thank you to the Noel Community Arts Program for sponsoring this activity!

This activity is open to caregivers and their family member living with dementia.

September Overview

The Bridge Receives $10,000 from the Haynesville Open

For the fourth consecutive year, Shale Energy Resources held the Haynesville Open golf tournament, in which a portion of the proceeds were directed to The Bridge Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center in loving memory of Randy Hardin, who passed away in 2016 from Lewy Body Dementia. He is the father of Miranda Kennedy, co-owner of Shale Energy Resources. 

This year The Bridge was gifted $10,000 from the Haynesville Open. “We are thrilled at the generosity of the participants of the Haynesville Open and especially from Miranda and Jeff Kennedy,” said Paulette Freeman, executive director of The Bridge. “These funds will be used to support the many services we provide to those in our community impacted by Alzheimer’s or other dementias.”

We will find out more about Mr. Randy Hardin and his family in an upcoming feature.

KSLA Senior Focus

Thank you KSLA News 12 for having Laura Gauthier, our Program & Education Director on Senior Focus to discuss the grant we received for a pilot dementia respite center.

Shreveport Bossier Alumnae Panhellenic Association Visits The Bridge

The Shreveport Bossier Alumnae Panhellenic Association is committed to fostering inter-sorority friendship, supporting women in their personal and professional growth, and promoting community service. Through our efforts, we celebrate the achievements of sorority women and provide scholarships to empower future leaders.

Dementia 101 with NWLA LPC Group

Alecia Henderson, PLPC, spoke to the NWLA LPC group recently via Zoom. She spoke to 24 counselors about the Bridge services and provided a session on Dementia 101. Great job, Alecia!

If you have a group that would like more information about The Bridge or dementia, give us a call at 318-656-4800.

First Wednesday Workshop

Featuring Zach Kidd

"General Nutrition for Adults”

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

The Alta and John Franks Foundation ~ Powers 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