March 2024

Updated newsletter coming soon! We’re transitioning to a new marketing platform in the upcoming weeks, so keep an eye out for future messages from MyEmma.

National Reading Month

March is National Reading Month! In this newsletter, we are highlighting some top recommended books and articles for caregivers to add to your reading list.

A Bittersweet Season: Caring for Our Aging Parents--and Ourselves by Jane Gross. New York Times author Jane Gross chronicles her journey as a caretaker for her 85-year-old mother, providing insights she wishes she’d had along the way. One reviewer writes, “Jane Gross's part-memoir, part-instruction book, ‘A Bittersweet Season’ is the best book I've read on the subject of aging parents and how to deal with them… You don't have to sit down and read it all at one time. It's a book best to savor.”
Surviving Alzheimer's: Practical Tips and Soul-Saving Wisdom for Caregivers by Paula Spencer Scott. This book is hailed as the comprehensive guide to Alzheimer’s disease, and it has recently been updated and expanded to include information about end-of-life care. “It's hard to imagine there could possibly be a more thorough effort to assist the brave and blessed soul who has taken up this challenge in caring,” one reviewer writes. “This is an impressive book, and one that is sure to be well-worn by usage over time.”
The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for People Who Have Alzheimer Disease and Other Dementias by Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabins. The authors are experts with decades of experience caring for individuals with memory loss and dementia. It includes resources for families, legal and financial information, and the latest updates on nursing homes, research, medications, and the biological causes of dementia. Some have called it the “bible” for families caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease.
You Shouldn’t Have to Take Care of Your Aging Parents on Your Own (NY Times Opinion) – This opinion piece from the New York Times is accompanied by compelling black and white images from photographer Larry Fink. “Being an aging nation also means becoming a nation of caregivers, one that requires a new system of support,” writes author Michelle Cottle.
11 family caregivers share what they wish they’d known before caring for older loved ones (Care.com) - 11 real family caregivers from across the country reflect on what they wish they’d known earlier about caregiving and the important lessons they learned along the way.

Resources

For more information:

Orange County Public Library Reading List - Search the catalog for 'BRAINCHANGE.'
Chapel Hill Public Library Sensory Kits for Adults - See them here in the catalog.
- We have a new collection of 10 nature-inspired sensory kits designed specifically for neurodiverse individuals, in particular those living with dementia and their caregivers. Each kit includes items that activate the senses and focus on a particular nature-related theme. The kits also include two resource books for caregivers and loved ones. While the kits were primarily designed for adults experiencing memory loss and their caregivers, we hope these kits can provide engagement, reminscence, and connection for any neurodiverse or neurotypical adults.
Duke Dementia Family Support Program - Suggested Reading List

Announcements

Creative Impressions with the North Carolina Museum of Art

Mindful art observation and artmaking for those with memory loss and their care partners

During this 90-minute program, staff from the NCMA guide you through a fun and mindful observation of an artwork from the Museum’s collection as well as sensory engagements and an exciting art-making activity. This is an interactive experience where sharing and discussion are encouraged. Expect a mixed level of skills and abilities, with people at various stages of memory loss.

Free, with all materials provided. Just bring your sense of adventure and curiosity! Space is limited and preregistration is required.

Date: Wednesday, March 27th
Time: 10:30 am – Noon
Location: Chapel Hill Public Library, 100 Library Drive, Chapel Hill I Meeting Room A
Contact for questions and to sign up: Sarah Wagner, swagner@townofchapelhill.org

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New Radio Program - Aging Well Together - Thursdays at 2pm

Click for More Information

FREE Nutrition Supplements

If you have NC Medicaid, you may be eligible to receive free oral nutrition supplements, like Boost or Ensure. Contact the Aging Helpline for more information at 919-968-2087.

Positive Approach to Care: Dementia Skills Training for Professionals

Champion Courses 1-4, Tuesdays 3-5pm

Upcoming Programs

Dementia - Let's Talk About It

Join OCDoA’s dementia care specialists for a conversation around topics related to dementia education, living with cognitive change, and being a dementia caregiver. We will provide 15-30 minutes of education at the start of the hour, and the remaining time will be spent in conversation, Q&A, and resource-sharing around the day’s topic. For information and registration contact agingtransitions@orangecountync.gov or 919-968-2087.

Tuesday, March 19 at 10am via Zoom - Levels of Care

Support Groups

Support groups are a space to meet with other caregivers to share experiences, learn new skills, and get answers to questions about dementia and other long-term disabilities. We have resumed in-person meetings and have added a new Zoom only group.

Chapel Hill Support Group
- Contact Kendall McMillan to join - K Mcmillan@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-4278.
- 2nd and 4th Fridays: March 8 & 22 at 10:30am at Seymour
Hillsborough Support Group
- Contact Keisha Andrew to join - kandrews@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-2022.
- 2nd Thursdays: March 21 at 1pm at Passmore
Zoom Only Support Group
- Contact Kim Lamon-Loperfido to join - KLoperfido@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-4253
- 1st and 3rd Tuesdays: March 5 & 19 at 12:30pm via Zoom
Charles House CORE Support Group
- Contact Paul Klever to join - paul@charleshouse.org
- 3rd Wednesdays: March 20 at 12pm via Zoom

Taboo Topics & Parkinson's Disease

Join the UNC Movement Disorders Center for a monthly webinar series, exploring topics that you’ve always had questions about but didn’t know how to ask. Each webinar will occur on the third Friday of the month from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Register for the webinar: https://bit.ly/UNCPDWebinar. FREE

Friday, March 15 at 1:00 pm: How spirituality intersects with chronic illness benefits to people with Parkinson’s Disease.

Chapel Hill Parkinson's Support Group

This month is split group meetings with open discussion. Contact Maggie Ivancic for more information - mivancic@neurology.unc.edu. Register for both meetings here.

Tuesday, March 5 at 1:30pm, via WebEx

Chapel Hill PSP & CBD Support Group

Support group for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Degeneration. This month's group is open discussion. Contact Maggie Ivancic for more information - mivancic@neurology.unc.edu. Register for the support group here.

Wednesday, March 6 at 1:30pm, via WebEx

What's Next - A Middle Stage Program

Presented by the Duke Dementia Family Support Program, this four-week workshop is available at no cost to families who are caring for someone living with middle-stage dementia. The goal is to respond to the increased challenges associated with life beyond the early stages and the transition from care partner to care giver. See flyer for more information.