New dementia support group begins June 4

When we think of dementia we think of older adults losing their memories, their sense of self and physical abilities. But for families and caregivers the challenges can be more complex. Isolation, exhaustion and financial and emotional stress are common challenges for the nearly 16 million people in the U.S. who cares for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

The Holmstad, a retirement community in Batavia, is opening its doors and sharing its resources to help families and caregivers address those challenges. “The Holmstad Helping Hearts” is a free family and caregiver support group that begins June 4, 2015, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. in the Town Center classroom, and will continue to meet the first Thursday of each month at the same time. Care for loved ones will be provided free of charge. Call Brenda Lowden, RN, at (630) 879-4034 to reserve your spot. The Holmstad, a continuing care retirement community, is located at 700 W. Fabyan Parkway, Batavia.

Group topic discussions include managing and coping with difficult behaviors; self care and coping skills; safety issues; connecting with your loved one who has dementia; stress management; telling others about the diagnosis and establishing boundaries; holiday blues/grief and loss; and acceptance and letting go.

The support group embraces The Holmstad’s LifeConnect™ philosophy, which aims to provide resources that meet the support and wellness needs of each caregiver. Those needs include emotional, spiritual, social and intellectual.

“The Holmstad Helping Hearts is a safe place for caregivers and families to learn and share their stories and challenges, or simply listen, rest and renew,” said Lowden. “It’s all about caring for the caregiver, and helping him or her along this emotional journey.”

Licensed Clinical Social Worker Jeanne Marie Snarich will lead the group. She has more than 20 years of experience and is a graduate of the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Social Work with a concentration on family systems. Snarich has a broad scope of expertise providing individual and group counseling to residents and families at The Holmstad and in the community, and she especially enjoys working with families and older adults. Supporting Snarich in her role will be Holmstad staff members Brenda J. Lowden RN, Residential Living Nurse, Karin Klockars, CDP Catered Living and Assisted Living Coordinator and Cathy Reese, Resident Services Director.

Educational materials and referral services will be provided, along with information about free LifeConnect activities and programming available on campus. Refreshments will be served. For more information or to register, contact Brenda Lowden at (630) 879-4034 or BJLowden@covenantretirement.org.

About The Holmstad

The Holmstad is a faith-based, not-for-profit continuing care retirement community located at 700 W. Fabyan Parkway, Batavia, Ill. It is administered by Covenant Retirement Communities, one of the nation’s largest not- for-profit senior services providers. Covenant Retirement Communities serves 5,000 residents at 15 retirement communities nationwide and is a ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church. For more information on The Holmstad, call 877–226-7310 or visit www.TheHolmstad.org.