Alzheimer’s Support Group Set, SNAP Session Filled

SOUTHBURY — An open and on-going support group for friends and family of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is being offered by Brownstein Jewish Family Service and the Lutheran Home of Southbury.

The next meeting takes place Thursday, January 13, at 1:30 pm, in the library at the Federation, Jewish Communities of Western Connecticut, 444 Main Street North. There is no charge for this group.

Facilitator Edie Hardwick of the Lutheran Home in Southbury explains, “This will be a time for people dealing with these issues to get together to meet, share concerns, get to know one another, learn how to deal with certain problems, and receive support from each other.”

Ms Hardwick noted that, besides support groups, the Lutheran Home offers education, care management and homemaker/companion services through the LSS In-Home Care Program to families who have a loved one with dementia.

In other news, the Federation noted that response to the January 21 social service screening has been overwhelming, and all spots have already been filled for that date. Dozens of other people have already been counseled on the phone and referred to different agencies, including the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging (203-757-5449), the Connecticut Department of Social Services (800-842-1508) or the Connecticut Association for Human Services (860-951-2212).

The next SNAP (food stamps) and EarnBenefits screening is scheduled for Thursday, February 24, from 10 am to 3 pm at the Federation, 444 Main Street North.

For more information, call Debby Horowitz, Brownstein Jewish Family Service director, at 203-267-3177, extension 105. All calls are confidential.