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We Have MOVED
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The Fox Valley Memory Project and all Older Adult programs of LSS have moved to 3003 N Richmond St in Appleton. Please use the south parking lot and enter Door A. You will be able to use the phone in the entryway to notify us that you have arrived and we will come meet you.
Our new site is next to Northtown Lighting and across the street from Apple City Restaurant.
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Doctors In Recital Concert
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Join us at our 7th Annual Doctors in Recital on Saturday, April 8, 2017.
In the past six years, Doctors in Recital has raised nearly $70,000 to offer hope and healing through the power of music. Hosted by Heid Music and Steinway & Sons, this concert brings together music and medicine as area physicians perform to benefit the Fox Valley Memory Project.
Would you consider sponsoring Doctors in Recital this year? You'll give adults living with dementia and their family caregivers in the Fox Valley access to programs that they need to thrive, and to feel a part of their own community again.
Like us on Facebook at Doctors in Recital Fox Valley to learn more about the concert and buy tickets. For more information about sponsorship and the concert c
ontact Sandra Potts, Director of the Fox Valley Memory Project at 225-1724 or
Sandra.potts@lsswis.org.
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Memory Cafés
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Memory Cafés welcome those experiencing early stage dementia, mild memory loss or cognitive impairment, as well as family and friends of those affected. They are a great opportunity for lively discussions, information gathering, refreshments, camaraderie, and lots of creative fun! We have a gerontology professional on hand to answer questions and an enormous wealth of experience among participants to be shared. We'd be delighted if you would join us! Call Lynn Ann at 920-225-1711
for more information. Click below for our upcoming café schedules.
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Special Guest DJ Jack at Atlas Waterfront Café
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We are excited to share the hidden talents of our very own volunteer Jack at our Memory Café on Thursday, March 16 at 2 PM at Atlas Waterfront Café (425 W Water St) in Appleton. "DJ Jack" is ready to lift our winter blues with an old time sing along. DJ Jack will also lead us in our very own radio show drama. Do you have a favorite song that you listened to on the radio from a special time in your life? Bring your musical memories to share!
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Puppy Love at the Menasha Memory Café
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Calling All Dog Lovers to Menasha! "Dog: The best friend you will ever have. A loyal loving companion that cares for you more than himself." Join us at the Menasha Senior Center on Friday, March 17 at 1:30 PM to share memories of the dogs or other pets in our life. We hope to have some special canine guests to share some genuine puppy love with us.
Please note the permanent date and time change to the 3rd Friday of each month at 1:30 p.m.
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Memory Loss Resource Center
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The
Memory Loss Resource Center
welcomes those experiencing dementia, their care partners, family and friends. Get information and support in a warm and caring environment. We look forward to meeting you.
Call 920-225-1711 to schedule a personal appointment to obtain information, support and/or referrals.
We can also share information with you about our ongoing activities.
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Sensory Theme Kits Available for Checkout!
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Have you ever struggled to find ways to interact with your loved one with dementia? The Fox Valley Memory Project has sensory kits available for you to borrow. Each kit has items to trigger memories by using sensory connections and provide an opportunity for your loved one to share their memories. Kits includes a list of ideas to start conversations. Our current kits include the following themes: Crafts, Gardening, Farming, Fishing, Green Bay Packers, School Days and Pets. Thank you to the staff of St. Paul Elder Services for preparing these sensory theme kits.
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Save the Dates for our All Memory Cafe Bus Trips
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We are busy planning our 2017 bus trip outings. While we are still confirming our exciting destinations, you may want to reserve the following dates to join your Memory Project friends for fun day trips on the following
Thursdays, April 27. June 8, August 10 and October 12. These bus trips are specially designed for persons experiencing memory loss and their care partners. More details will be announced as they become available.
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Come Sing-a-Long with the "On a Postive Note" Chorus
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Frank Rippl will once again lead the "On a Positive Note" chorus in favorite and familiar songs. This chorus is especially designed for those experiencing memory loss and their loved ones. No special musical skills are required. Plan to attend and put a little music in your life! It is not necessary to attend all rehearsals to participate
! Click here to print the chorus announcement.
Rehearsals are on Tuesday afternoons, 3 - 4 PM at the
Thompson Center on Lourdes,
2331 E Lourdes Dr in Appleton.
Rehearsal Dates: Tuesdays,
April 4, 11, 18 & 25, May 2, 9 &16
Presentation Events:
Monday, May 15 at 10 AM for an Intergenerational Program
at Fox Valley Christian Academy,1450 Oakridge Rd, Neenah
Saturday, May 20 at 2 PM for
"Community Kaleidoscopes - Honoring the Arts in our Ever-Changing Lives"
at Thompson Center on Lourdes, 2331 E Lourdes Dr, Appleton
Please let Lynn Ann know if you can join in this musical adventure by calling 920-225-1711 or emailing her at
lynnann.clausing@lsswis.org.
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Passion Play at Xavier High School
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Join Us to Dine and Socialize
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One of the goals of the Fox Valley Memory Project is to reduce social isolation in a stigma free environment for both care partners and their loved ones with memory loss.
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Community Kaleidoscopes
Honoring the Arts in our Ever-Changing Lives
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This exciting community event featuring music, poetry and an art gallery will be held on
Saturday, May 20th, from 2 to 3:30 PM at the Thompson Center on Lourdes, 2331 E. Lourdes Dr in Appleton.
One of the goals of the Fox Valley Memory Project is to ensure that all persons with dementia continue to be viewed as valued members of our community and given opportunities to engage with the community. This program will showcase the talents of persons living with dementia that participate in Fox Valley Memory Project programs as well as those residing in long-term care facilities.
Our Community Kaleidoscope program will include:
MUSIC With members of the "newVoices" Choir,
The "On a Positive Note" chorus and
Residents from local long term care facilities
POETRY Created by Karla Huston, Poet Laureate of WIsconsin
in
collaboration with persons with dementia created at Memory Cafes
ART Created by residents of long-term care facilities and our Memory
Cafe
participants
Come join us for this exciting afternoon. A reception with refreshments will follow the program. There is no charge for you to attend.
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"Why Won't My Loved One Take Her Medication?"
Lynn Ann Clausing Rusch, Program Coordinator
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I recently met with a daughter who was concerned that her mother was refusing her medication. There are many things to consider when someone doesn't want to take their medication (whether they have dementia or not.) We considered the following potential issues that may be leading up to her medication refusal.
- Are the pills large and hard to swallow? Can they be crushed and mixed with food? Check with your pharmacist since not all medications can be are crushed. Are they available in liquid form?
- Are medications causing unpleasant side effects that she wishes to avoid?
- Is she concerned about the cost of the medication?
- She may not understand the need for the medicine or the time it will take to see results. This is particularly true for persons with dementia, because taking preventative medication can be confusing. There is no way she can see/feel immediate improvement.
- Lack of symptoms (ex. she can't "feel" osteoporosis.) She may not feel any differently when she starts or stops her medicine, therefore she may see no reason to take it.
- Is she taking many medications? The greater the number of different medicines prescribed and the higher the dosing frequency, the more likely she is to is to be confused and non-compliant.
- Persons who are depressed are less likely to take their medications as prescribed. She may feel that the medication isn't going to make her better, so what's the point.
Other things to consider:
- Does she willingly take other medications?
- Does she remember that she has medications to take?
- Is she able to understand and remember the purpose of the medication?
- Are family members taking control and perhaps "bossing her?" Is she pushing back in refusal? This may be a way for her to have control of something in her life.
- How are medications being taken (or attempted) at present? Does it turn into an argument? Is there a better way to offer her medication.
Have you faced a similar situation? How did your resolve it? One of the things I learned very quickly when I began working with the Fox Valley Memory Project is that our care partners are very resourceful and have been my best teachers. This sharing has allowed me to offer valuable guidance and suggestions to others.
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We Welcome New Purple Angel Partners in the Fox Valley
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We are happy to announce that Michelle Graf of Care Patrol and the staffs of Home Helpers and Northtown Lighting Center
have joined our Fox Valley Memory Project family of dementia friendly businesses. If you frequent any of these businesses, please let them know you appreciate them taking the time to learn how to best serve their valued customers and clients with dementia.
The Fox Valley Memory Project Purple Angel program continues to spread dementia
awareness throughout the Fox Valley and beyond. The Purple Angel Community Team
(PACT) is made up of a small group of dedicated community members who offer free
dementia awareness training to area businesses.
Click here for a list of local businesses and organizations that have received dementia awareness training.
If you are interested in having your business or organization become a Purple Angel partner, please contact Lynn Ann at 920-225-1711 or by email at
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Memory Assessment Center
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Assessments are offered at Mosaic Family Health in downtown Appleton by Dr. Lee Vogel and resident physicians. Initial assessments screen for memory impairment, assess overall health and, if warranted, proceed to a more comprehensive evaluation to diagnose the cause/type of dementia. For more information, call the clinic at 920-997-8436.
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REACH In-Home Caregiver Support
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REACH (Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health) is an evidence based caregiver intervention program. REACH supports the caregiver by addressing issues such as emotional well being, stress management, troubling behaviors, problem solving and self-care. A certified caregiver coach will provide resources and support. Read more about this
free
six month program for those caring at home for persons with significant memory loss. For more information contact Karen Aspenson at 920-832-2783.
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Research shows that music, especially with active participation, demonstrates physio
logical, emotional and social benefits to those with memory loss. Active participation stimulates the brain and also has some physical benefits. Music is a road to memories and helps those with dementia to engage and socialize in ways they normally cannot do.
The next series of Lyrics & Laughter begins on
Thursday, March 9.
You can choose between a morning session beginning at 9:30 AM or an afternoon session beginning at 1 PM. Please call 920-727-5555 to make a reservation for this engaging program.
Click here
for more information. This program is held at Valley VNA Senior Services, 1535 Lyon Dr in Neenah.
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SPARK!
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SPARK! is a program for caregivers and loved ones living with memory loss. The Trout Museum of Art (with a second program at St Paul Elder Service) and The Building for Kids Children's Museum are pleased to be among the Wisconsin museums awarded funding by Bader Philanthropies and the Community Foundation to create programming where participants engage in lively discussions, art making, and multi-sensory activities.
Each one hour program is led by a specially trained museum educator who will engage participants in interactive exhibit experiences. After each program, coffee and conversation led by volunteers who give participants and caregivers the opportunity to support and socialize.
Registration: Contact The Trout Museum at 920-733-4089 or the Building for Kids at 920-734-3226 to reserve your spot. Registration is required at least one week prior to your selected program(s). Space is limited.
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| Programs Offered by Lutheran Social Services |
Caregiver classes are being offered at the Thompson Center at 820 W College Ave. Topics include: Taking Care of You, Taking Care of Your Loved One and Taking Care of Business - Navigating the Health Care System.
Click here to find out more about these valuable classes.
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Alzheimer's Association Offers Educational Events
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The Alzheimer's Association of Greater Wisconsin offers free family and consumer education programs.
Click here for March programs
offered in Appleton, Kaukauna and Kimberly. For more information about the caregiver support group
click here.
You can also access their website by
clicking here.
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| Thank You to Our Generous Supporters |
Programs of the Fox Valley Memory Project are totally funded by donations and grants. Thank you to all who have so generously support the Memory Project. Your continued support will assure the Fox Valley Memory Project will continue to be here for those in need.
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Mission Statement
The Fox Valley Memory Project collaborates with other organizations to offer programs and services that improve quality of life for persons with dementia, as well as their family care partners and friends. We encourage practices of hospitality and inclusion that make our community dementia-friendly.
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Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.
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