New Adult Care Services Programs Aim to Provide Care for Caregivers of Those Living with Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caring for the Caregiver at the Programs of Adult Care Services
By Yvonne Napolitano, Executive Director
In today’s times, it’s especially important to offer to offer support to family caregivers of those living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
That’s why the mission statement for Adult Care Services, The Susan J. Rheem Adult Day Center, and The Margaret T. Morris Center — “Quality Care, Quality Services, and Quality of Life” — applies not just to people receiving hands-on care but also to their caregivers.
Two key people responsible for this within the three nonprofits specializing in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care are Candace Lea and Melody Thomas-Morgan.
Thanks to a one-year Community Health Improvement Grant from Dignity Health/YRMC, The Susan J. Rheem Adult Day Center now offers Care Management and Programming Support for community members attending the day center.
Candace Lea, who has been with Adult Care Services for more than two years as Community Liaison, effortlessly transitioned into a new role as Care Manager. With a master’s degree in business emphasizing health care management, a past career as a program manager in case management, a family caregiver, and a certified yoga instructor, Candace brings a wealth of knowledge and knows the resources.
Candace said her goal as a Care Manager is to help family caregivers successfully navigate their role when respite time ends.
The Margaret T. Morris Center Resident Services Specialist Melody Thomas-Morgan is no stranger to family caregivers. She served as the life enrichment director at The Susan J. Rheem Adult Day Center for many years.
Melody transitioned to her current role at The Margaret T. Morris Center in 2016. A trained support group leader, Melody is finishing her last class for the completion of her master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling in Crisis Intervention and Trauma with a specialty in Grief Counselling and Support. She is a natural at leading the Adult Care Services Support Group and helping families transition from hands-on caregivers to their prior role of spouse, child, or friend once deciding upon assisted living. Melody believes in giving caregivers hope as they deal with guilt and loss when making the best decisions for their loved one living with dementia.
What the caregiver is going through on the inside may not show on the outside; caring for the caregiver is just as important as caring for a person who requires hands-on care.
Adult Care Services is here for caregivers to navigate resources, deal with feelings of sadness, loss, and grief, and instill hope for confident, successful living.
For more information about Adult Care Services, visit www.adultcareservices.org or call 928.771.2335.