Aldersbridge Navigator

06/13/2025

ABC6 News in Providence captured the moment that a resident from Arbor Hill Assisted Living Community was granted a surprise wish for three WWE Raw tickets for next month's show at the AMP. What an amazing day for Joann!!

It's also pretty amazing that our nonprofit parent organization, Aldersbridge Communities, has created the ElderVentures program, thanks to so many generous donors who fund these wishes.

Here's to Joann's dream and wishing her a great time at the wrestling show!!!

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — An assisted living resident diagnosed with terminal cancer was surprised with tickets to a WWE event in Providence on Tuesday. A wish-granting program called “ElderVentures” granted Joann Pfeiler with the wrestling tickets. Retired wrestlers Teddy Goodz, a.k.a. The La...

12/27/2024

Rhode Island news Out and About in RI: at the Aldersbridge Gala

12/20/2024

Holiday Caregiving Tips for Loved Ones Living with Dementia

While the holidays are meant to be a time of joy, laughter and family togetherness, the change in routine can be an additional stressor for those living with memory loss and other dementia. Here are a couple of ways that you can help your loved ones to enjoy the holiday season and reduce stress and anxiety.

While the holidays are meant to be a time of joy, laughter and family togetherness, the change in routine can be an additional stressor for those living with memory loss and other dementia. Here are a couple of ways that you can help your loved ones to enjoy the holiday season and reduce stress and anxiety.

Adjust expectations.
Be honest with yourself and your loved ones about what you can and cannot do. Give yourself permission to only do what you can manage and accomplish. While it may feel like you’re letting people down by not making the dish you always bring to the holiday feast, consider this as an opportunity for another family member to carry on the tradition. Teach them how to make your signature stuffing – it can be a great way to bond with family and gives you a chance to enjoy the holiday without stressing about all the details.

Prepare to care.
The magic and wonder of the holidays is the result of a lot of planning. Be sure to plan and schedule time to take care of your own well-being (physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental health) so that you can enjoy the holiday season. Accept help from others when they offer it, and say ‘no’ when you need to in order to avoid feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Remember: caregivers cannot pour from an empty cup!

12/17/2024

Holiday Caregiving Tips for Loved Ones Living with Dementia

While the holidays are meant to be a time of joy, laughter and family togetherness, the change in routine can be an additional stressor for those living with memory loss and other dementia. Here are a couple of ways that you can help your loved ones to enjoy the holiday season and reduce stress and anxiety.

Connect through technology.
Holiday travel is incredibly stressful as it involves change of routine and scenery. Consider adapting your holiday plans so that the person with dementia is not expected to travel. If loved ones live far away, consider setting up a family video chat to spend time together even while apart.

Get the party started early!
Some people living with dementia experience sundowning, where they become agitated or overwhelmed in the evenings after the sun goes down. You may consider shifting holiday plans to earlier in the day so that the person living with dementia can spend time celebrating with family but stick to their usual evening routine.
Be sure to visit this page often for additional tips!

12/16/2024

Holiday Caregiving Tips for Loved Ones Living with Dementia

While the holidays are meant to be a time of joy, laughter and family togetherness, the change in routine can be an additional stressor for those living with memory loss and other dementia. Here are a couple of ways that you can help your loved ones to enjoy the holiday season and reduce stress and anxiety.

Mindful decorating.
Decking the halls is a great visual way to spread holiday cheer and set a festive mood, but be sure to do so safely. Avoid using fake food items as décor (fake fruit, cookies or candy), as people with dementia may confuse these items with real food. Avoid using blinking lights and moving decorations as they can be disorienting to those with dementia. Perhaps reconsider changing around the seasonal layout of furniture in a room where your loved one is familiar, and be sure that all traffic areas are kept clear of clutter to avoid fall hazards.

Familiarize your guests.
In the early stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia, extended family members may not notice a difference in functioning, but as the disease progresses these changes can become more apparent. If you are anticipating spending time with family that you generally only see over the holidays, let them know ahead of time what to expect, and remind them that changes in behavior and memory are because of the disease. Some light coaching about how best to communicate with individuals with memory loss can be helpful – such as not interrupting or correcting, giving the person a chance to finish their thought, etc.

Be sure to visit this page often for additional tips!

01/29/2024

The American Parkinson Disease Association, Rhode Island Chapter and Aldersbridge Communities are teaming up to hold a Parkinson's Disease Support Group each month at St. Germain Manor in Woonsocket. Kathy Shatraw, BSW, from the Aldersbridge Navigator will be the facilitator for the group to help share information and ideas among participants. It's an open forum for individuals living with PD and their care partners. No cost to participate and parking is free, too!

St. Germain Manor Assisted Living, 429 East School Street in Woonsocket, second Thursday of each month at 10:00 am. NEXT MEETING: FEBRUARY 8, 2024.

Contacts:
Kathy Shatraw, BSW 401-644-2768 or navigator@aldersbridge.org
and
Laurie Ann Oliveira, MSW, LICSW 401-455-6337
APDA Information and Referral Center, Butler Hospital Movement Disorders

Providing education and support to empower those living with PD to live their best lives!