Free Day Off for Metro Detroit Caregivers with Loved Ones with Dementia; Nov. 10

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A Free Day Off for Caregivers with Loved Ones Living with Dementia, Sun. Nov. 10 in West Bloomfield!

Special Day of Massage, Yoga and Support while Free Respite Care Provided by Trained Professionals at the Brown Program, an Adult Day Program for Those Living with Dementia.

 Metro Detroiters who take care of loved ones living with dementia,

will have the opportunity to take care of themselves for a day at the increasingly popular Caregivers Day Off event on Sun. Nov. 10.  The event is free and is being offered by The Dorothy and Peter Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Program, a joint initiative of Gesher Human Services and Jewish Senior Life which 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. A Day Off for Caregivers will offer yoga, massage, music therapy, delicious food, plus educational activities designed to provide insight, resources and support to caregivers, from 10.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Soul Café (5586 Drake Road, West Bloomfield). Prior to the day’s events, at 10 a.m. caregivers will be able to drop their loved ones off at the nearby Brown Program (6720 W. Maple Rd, West Bloomfield) where they will be taken care of by expert staff, given snacks and lunch, and experience special programming including music, games, and more. The Brown Program 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 Oct. 30 or email her at srowe@jslmi.org. Verbal confirmation is required for registration to be complete.

This demand for the program has been growing;

In May 2023, 24 caregivers attended, while in April this year, 43 caregivers took part and there was a waiting list.

“We know that this day is very meaningful for our caregivers, giving them an opportunity to take a breath and just focus on how they feel for a while,” said Brown Program Director Debi Banooni. “Caregivers are under so much pressure all the time, and this is a way for them to get some much-needed relaxation and enjoyment, secure in the knowledge that their loved one is getting expert care by our trained staff.”

During this Day Off for Caregivers, an additional massage therapist will be provided as massage is one of the most popular offerings of the day. “We want people to have just a bit more time with their masseuse so they can really take a moment for themselves,” explained Banooni.

One of the most important aspects of the program

is the chance for caregivers to meet others in a similar situation. During April’s program, one of the participants mentioned to Banooni that they recognized someone at the event but had no idea that they were taking care of someone living with dementia. “I told her that we often don’t know what another person is going through, but in caregiving so many people face the same struggles,” said Banooni. “Our mission is to show our caregivers that they are not alone, and that support exists.”

Caregivers Day Off is sponsored by the Dee dee and Michael Perlman Caregivers Fund. For more information on the Brown Program, visit brownadultday.org.

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

Founded in 1907, Jewish Senior Life of Metropolitan Detroit (JSL) provides six inclusive residential communities with a continuum of care on two campuses in West Bloomfield and Oak Park, Michigan. JSL enhances the lives of older adults, embraces Jewish values, nurtures a sense of community, and celebrates life through innovative enrichment programs and services that support the social, physical, cultural, and spiritual wellness of all participants. JSL is a nonprofit organization that welcomes people of all beliefs and faiths. Visit https://jslmi.org/.