Caregivers Day Off for Metro Detroiters Caring for Loved Ones with Dementia, Dec. 3
This Event Has Ended.
“Event presented by the Brown Program in West Bloomfield to provide respite care for those living with dementia – more than 11 percent of Michiganders aged 65 plus – while treating caregivers to a day of relaxation, music, support and good food.”
Caregivers Day Off, a relaxing, enjoyable, and supportive event for metro Detroiters responsible for the care of loved ones living with dementia, is being offered on Sun. Dec. 3 by the The Dorothy and Peter Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Program at its West Bloomfield location. Attendees will benefit from yoga, massage therapy, music for the soul and gardening along with some educational activities designed to help make their day-to-day lives easier; snacks and lunch will be provided.
Adults living with dementia,
will be dropped off at the Brown Program (6720 W. Maple Rd, West Bloomfield) at 10 a.m. and caregivers will then walk across to the Lillian and Samual Hechtman Senior Apartments (6700 W. Maple Road) for the day’s activities which begin at 10.30 a.m. and finish at 3 p.m. The Brown Program, a joint initiative of Gesher Human Services and Jewish Senior Life, provides innovative and engaging activities and care for those living with dementia along with support for their families at its two centers in West Bloomfield and Southfield.
It welcomes people of all beliefs and faiths. For images of a previous Caregivers Day Off click here; to register for the program, which has limited spaces, call Sharilyn Rowe at 248.592.5032 by Nov. 22.
The event is being held,
as recent surveys show just how many Americans are caring for loved ones with dementia and other chronic illnesses. A report in the medical journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia in July 2023 showed that 11.2 percent of adults aged 65 or older in Michigan have Alzheimer’s Disease, equating to 202,800 individuals.
Meanwhile, a report by AARP earlier in the year found that family caregivers provide $600 billion in unpaid care across the U.S.; there are 38 million family caregivers who devote 36 billion hours of free care to older parents, spouses, partners and friends with chronic, disabling and serious health conditions.
“We truly respect everything that caregivers do for their loved ones but in their dedication, they often neglect to spend time looking after their own needs,” said Director of the Brown Program Debi Banooni. “Our program gives local caregivers – and we know there are many – a well-deserved opportunity to enjoy themselves, knowing that their loved ones are being taken care of by professionals. They will also find that while their own situation is individualized, they are not alone in the caregiving journey, as illustrated by much recent research.”
On Caregivers Day Off, the fourth one to be held, attendees at the Brown Program will also enjoy a number of activities including exercise therapy, music activities and art, and will also be provided with snacks and lunch. Caregivers Day Off is sponsored by the Dee dee and Michael Perlman Caregivers Fund.
About Gesher Human Services
Gesher Human Services is a non-profit organization providing a bridge to hope and opportunity for people at work, at home and in the community. It is dedicated to helping people across metro Detroit lead more stable and fulfilling lives through workforce development, career mobility, behavioral health, inclusion programming and residential services that serve all metro Detroiters while meeting the needs of the Jewish community. The organization works with job seekers, people with disabilities, older adults, and the community at large to provide skills, support, and equitable opportunities for people to succeed.
Uniting two of metro Detroit’s most influential Jewish human services agencies, JVS Human Services and Kadima, Gesher brings over 110 years of combined experience facilitating equitable employment opportunities and better mental health outcomes for residents. With a network of more than 400 employees and volunteers across 25 locations in southeast Michigan, Gesher delivers a continuum of services and support that directly impacts the lives of over 26,000 individuals and families annually. More information at www.geshermi.org.
About Jewish Senior Life of Metropolitan Detroit
Jewish Senior Life is far more than a place to live. It’s six beautiful residences in two vibrant communities in southeast Michigan where bonds of friendship are built or renewed, and passions are pursued. It’s where residents actively engage with one another and, as a result, remain active in mind, body, and spirit. And it’s where creative programs and services extend spiritual, social, and cultural values of the Jewish tradition to residents, families, and community members. JSL is a place where older adults can embrace life and community in a secure and supportive environment. For more information go to jslmi.org
