Early Stage Memory Support Group
This summer a new group will be starting at The Thompson Center for those diagnosed with an early stage memory disorder, co-facilitated by Susan Moor, Anne Herz and Carla Kamel. Alzheimer’s disease, and related disorders, can now be diagnosed earlier in the disease process than ever before, sometimes when people have very few symptoms. This support group will give participants an opportunity to meet others with similar issues, learn how to manage symptoms, and gain support. Care partners and diagnosed individuals are encouraged to attend.
Susan has been working in the field of dementia since 2005. She was the Social Services Manager for an adult day health program in Massachusetts and later held the title of Early Stage Program Coordinator with the Massachusetts/New Hampshire chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association. She has facilitated a variety of support groups over the course of seven years and trained others to facilitate groups. Susan now lives in Woodstock, Vermont with her husband.
Anne has a BS in Social Science from St. Thomas Aquinas College. She worked for the VNA/NH for 17 years, 5 years as Patient Care Coordinator for hospice. More recently she worked as an RN at Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital. She retired in 2009 and is the proud mom of four sons.
Carla is one of the Community Care Coordinators for Mt. Ascutney Hospital and works at the Ottauquechee Health Center. She works with community members throughout the Ottauquechee region to promote wellness and help older people age in place. She received her B.A. in Psychology and Counseling from Norwich University in 1998. She was a Primary Case Manager with the S.E. Council on Aging from 1998-2001, and for the past fourteen years, a Reach Up Case Manager with the State of Vermont and is one of the facilitators of the Thompson Center’s Caregiver Support Group.
If you are interested in joining this group, please contact Carla Kamel at 457-5414 or Carla.kamel@mahhc.org
Tai Chi’s Slow, Gentle Exercise
Great for Mind and Body
Wednesdays
Beginners/Intermediate 9:30 am
Upper Intermediate/Advanced 10:45 am
No classes at The Thompson throughout the Summer
To inquire about local summer classes, contact Anne at anniebower@yahoo.com or 457-2877 (website:www.annebower.com).
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
Ongoing, on the third Wednesday of each month, 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Support and education can make a critical difference for family members and caregivers of patients with memory loss or disorders such as Alzheimer’s. Please join our confidential monthly support group (with complimentary lunch) and share ideas, concerns, and constructive feedback with others facing similar challenges.
Family Caregivers: Learn the Steps to Effective and Positive Caregiving
A Three Part Series Presented by Susan Moor
June 13, 20, 27 at 1:00 – 2:30 pm
This is a three part series to learn about adapting to changes during the caregiving journey; what is going on in the brain to cause changes in memory, language, vision and other changes associated with dementia.
This series will give you the tools to take control and understand which actions can make life easier for the caregiver as well as the person with increasing confusion in life’s activities.
Topics included:
- Brain Tour: understanding Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, the brain changes and disease stages.
- How to work with challenging behaviors, repetition and changing abilities.
- Activities of Daily Living – bathing, dressing, eating, toileting. Learn the steps to simplify the process.
- Failure-free activities to provide structure, interest and self-esteem for the individual with dementia symptoms
- Caring for the caregiver
This is a free event but registration is important so that there will be enough handouts for attendees to bring home.
Bone Builders
Tuesday and Thursday at 3:00 pm
The Bone Builders exercise program, developed at Tufts University, addresses bone health for people of all ages. Women especially may have thinning of bones as early as age 40, but men are welcome in this class and will benefit as well.
Bone Builders classes, with instructor Althea Derstine, are ongoing on Monday and Thursday each week. Classes are free. Minimum of six participants required. Please sign up in advance.
MEMOIR CLUB
Ongoing, Mondays, 10:15 am – noon
In this informal group, we encourage one another as we record stories that may otherwise be lost or forgotten. Each person has an opportunity to read aloud one to two pages each week often triggering group memories and lively discussion. No pressure… reading is optional!
Strength & Fitness
Tuesdays & Thursdays
9:00 to 10:00 am
No Monday Class July 3 – Oct 9, Resuming Oct 16
This popular class is led by certified fitness instructor and personal trainer, Liz Hatfield. Liz incorporates aerobic, stretching, strength and weight bearing exercises. The benefits of these exercises include bone building, balance, and overall coordination.
Liz Estabrook-Hatfield recently became a Certified Functional Aging Specialist, successfully completing Functional Aging Institute’s (FAI) workshop, educational program and Certification Exam. This program provides the most current training techniques adapted for and applied specifically to the needs and interests of aging adults. Liz has been working with the senior population for 15 years. Previous accreditations include:
- AAAI/ISMA’s Older Adult Fitness Trainer Certification
- MaineHealth’s Partnership for Healthy Aging: A Matter of Balance
- AFAA’s Golden Hearts: Senior Fitness Training
Recently, Liz added National Academy of Sports Medicine’s (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) to existing credentials with AFAA and AAAI/ISMA. NASM – CPT is one of the most respected personal training certifications in the health-and-fitness industry.
She holds credentials for Group Fitness instruction in Aquatics, Spinning, TRX, Nordic Walking and Weight Training.
Cost: $3.00/class or 12 classes for $30 on a punch card.
Water Aerobics Class
Woodstock Athletic Club
Fridays, May 26 – July 28
1:30 – 2:15 pm
Cost: $80 for 10 week class
The Thompson Center will provide shuttle service to and from class if needed. Please register in advance by calling 457-3277. Payment is due at time of reservation and must be received prior to the start of class series.
Foot Care Clinics
9:00 am – 2:30 pm, on the 2nd Friday & 3rd Wednesday of every month
12:30 – 2:45 pm on the 4th Tuesday of every month
In addition to Mary Wood’s clinic on the second Friday and third Wednesday of each month, we are happy to offer more foot clinic availability with our wellness clinic nurse, Mary Ann Conrad. Mary Ann will be offering an additional foot clinic on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 12:30 to 2:45 pm following her wellness clinic hours.
Both clinics will now be $20 and patrons are asked to bring their own towel. As always, please inform us in advance if you cannot make your appointment.
Wellness Clinic & Blood Pressure Screenings
4th Tuesday of the Month
We welcome our new VNA Wellness Clinic nurse, Mary Ann Conrad, on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 10 am-12 pm. Mary Ann comes to us with over 30 years of vast nursing experience and recently retired from DHMC where she worked in Neuroscience, Same Day Surgery, and Primary Care. We look forward to welcoming Mary Ann and offering our monthly wellness clinic once again.
Low Vision Support Group
3rd Thursday of the Month
10:15 – 11:45 am
July Discussion: Part 3 Video-Living With Someone With Low Vision
The Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired is offering this new support group where participants can share experiences, challenges, and successes of living with a visual impairment at this ongoing monthly meeting. Learn about adaptive aids and strategies that support independence. Led by a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist from VABVI.
ADVANCE DIRECTIVE CLINIC
2nd Monday of the Month, 1:00 – 3:00 pm, by appointment
Would your loved ones know your wishes about medical care if you were unable to speak for yourself? There is a legal document called an Advance Directive that you can complete to give guidelines about your wishes and appoint someone to represent you if you are not able. We have arranged for a trained and caring volunteer to be at the Thompson Center every 2nd Monday from 1pm – 3pm. These volunteers will take the time to explain both the document and the simple process used to make your wishes known. The most important part of this process is talking to those you love about what matters most to you. You can call 457-3277 to schedule an appointment.
Get Your Medical Questions Answered by a Gifford Medical Center Health Care Provider
Do you have a medical question that you would like answered by a medical professional? Tune in to the Royalton Community Radio program, “On Call”, on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 -7:00 pm on FM channel 96.5. If there is a specific topic you would like to hear about, call Nikki Gewirz, P.A. at 802-763-2700 or email her at ngewirz@giffordmed.org.