What You Should Know About Dementia and Support Resources in Napa County
Karen Lustig is a social worker with the Information and Assistance program at Providence Community Health Napa Valley and is a member on the Commission on Aging.
Providence Community Health Information and Assistance, at 707-253-4248 is a main access point for referrals and support accessing services necessary for seniors aged 60 and above and the differently abled, with the goal of maintaining their long-term independence.
As a social worker connecting older adults to services and supports, I have heard from many older adults and their family members that think they are or will be facing challenges to their independence due to worsening memory and confusion. They have heard about dementia and are anxious to get more information about what it is. Many are terrified about the prospect of dementia. Knowledge is power, and planning ahead and being proactive is always better than waiting until a situation requires urgent attention. It is not much of a stretch to say that planning for your own future needs IS supporting your own independence, as you are the one making the decisions.
Dementia is NOT a diagnosis; it is a condition that covers over 120 different types, forms, and causes of brain change under the umbrella. Some conditions are reversible, and some are irreversible. The National Institute on Aging defines dementia as “the loss of cognitive functioning — thinking, remembering, and reasoning — to such an extent that it interferes with a person's daily life and activities. Some people with dementia cannot control their emotions, and their personalities may change. Dementia ranges in severity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person's functioning, to the most severe stage, when the person must depend completely on others for basic activities of daily living, such as feeding oneself.”
Dementia presents differently with each person affected. The only certain thing about knowing how it affects a person is this: once you meet a person with a dementia diagnosis… you’ve met a person with a dementia diagnosis. A person looking to become educated about dementia would benefit from looking at several sources of information such as online at Alzheimer’s Association and the National Institute on Aging, and, locally in Napa with real live people at the Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center. You do not have to be affected by dementia directly to get this education – we all would be better stewards in our community if we reframe our thinking to be less stigmatizing of this condition and be more comfortable in offering support to individuals and their families who on this journey.
Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center (ADCRC), part of Providence Community Health Napa Valley (formerly Collabria Care), presents classes in towns up and down the Valley on a rotating basis. Once anyone wants to get support for concerns or issues about memory loss, ADCRC can help them navigate a continuum of care, often starting with Family Consultations and Memory Screenings: free counseling sessions to discuss the challenges of caregiving, facilitate access to local resources and to offer emotional support.
Also available:
Memory Cafés at Napa County libraries: This class is perfect for those concerned about memory changes and want to be proactive in maintaining their brain health. The next two classes are December 1st and Jan 5th at the Napa main library, with new schedules coming up for other cities.
Mind Boosters in Napa is a brain fitness program for those who are in the early stages of memory loss and want to be proactive in maintaining their brain health.
Master Minds! at Rianda House in St. Helena are 6 weekly sessions where attendees learn science-based techniques that stimulate the ten thinking skills for better brain functionality.
The ongoing Caregiver Support Groups can ease the isolation, depression, and anxiety often experienced when caring for a loved one, as well as provide practical tips and a supportive environment where experiences can be shared. Groups are facilitated by qualified professionals and are offered free of charge. They occur in Napa, St. Helena and online.
Providence Adult Day Health Napa Valley offers caregivers respite and support while providing individualized day care for the frail elderly, those with early to severe dementias and younger adults with physical or mental impairments. All their services are provided by a team of experienced, caring health professionals, in a safe, secure environment conveniently located in central Napa.
GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) offers enhanced services for dementia care to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia and to enhance support for their caregivers.
For more information about our Alzheimer's or other services, or to register for classes, please contact Melissa Gerard at 707-815-6258 or melissa.gerard@providence.org.