Alzheimer’s Association Representative to Speak at Caregiver Support Group
Focus to Include Tips for Making the Most of the Holidays
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s and dementia is difficult enough and when you add the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, a caregiver’s stress level can skyrocket. Sterling House Claremore, a Brookdale senior living community, and the First United Methodist Church are partnering to provide caregivers in the Claremore area with information from an expert on how to better manage the holidays while caring for someone with dementia.
Cathy Sullins of the Alzheimer’s Association will be the guest speaker at the caregiver support group on Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church located at 1615 North Hwy 88 in Claremore (this is the church located right next to Sterling House!). Sullins will provide caregivers with valuable information on caring for a loved one with dementia during the holidays. The event is free and open to the public.
“We would like to encourage anyone who has a loved one with Alzheimer’s to attend and we are happy to be able to host this event,” said Frances Ibanez, First United Methodist Church.
“I know firsthand the challenges caregivers face since I have been a caregiver myself,” said Sullins. “While working for the Alzheimer’s Association during the last nine years, I have been able to support and touch caregivers’ lives in ways I never knew possible. This event is another opportunity for me to help.”
Sullins is the Education Coordinator for the Tulsa Office & William K. Warren Foundation TrialMatch® Fellow for the Oklahoma Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. She has served in various capacities within the Oklahoma chapter working primarily with caregivers and currently is the lead community educator out of the Tulsa Office. In July, she was named the William K. Warren Foundation TrialMatch® Fellow in her capacity of leading the Oklahoma Chapter’s recruitment efforts for TrialMatch, a clinical studies matching program. Sullins has served as a volunteer Ombudsman, advocating for the rights of residents in long term care facilities, and has been a hospice volunteer as well.
November is Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. Brookdale has also set up an Alzheimer’s Resource Center uploaded with new information each week throughout the month to support caregivers.
Brookdale Senior Living Inc. is a leading operator of senior living communities throughout the United States. The Company is committed to providing senior living solutions within properties that are designed, purpose-built and operated to provide the highest-quality service, care and living accommodations for residents. Currently Brookdale operates independent living, assisted living, and dementia-care communities and continuing care retirement centers, nearly 1,150 communities in 46 states and the ability to serve approximately 110,000 residents. Through its ancillary services programs, the Company also offers a range of outpatient therapy, home health, personalized living and hospice services.
