Alzheimer’s Support Group, Driver Safety Course Offered

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, February 11, 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, program manager for the Scattering the Clouds Program of the Lutheran Home in Southbury, explains that, “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 Scattering the Clouds, an outreach service of the Lutheran Home, offers education and care management to families who have a loved one with dementia.

In other news, there is still room for a few more participants in the AARP Driver Safety Course offered by Brownstein Jewish Family Service on two Wednesdays, February 17 and 24, from 9 am until 1 pm at the Federation. In Connecticut, individuals over 60 qualify for an insurance discount of at least five percent. Many insurance companies give larger discounts, so participants should check with their agent.

There are no physical, written, or on-the-road driving tests and no reports to government agencies, health insurers or physicians. Participants are encouraged to register early, as class size is limited.

The fee for the two-day course is $12 for AARP members and $14 for nonmembers. Checks should be made out to AARP.

For information on either program, call Debby Horowitz, Brownstein JFS Director, at 203-267-3177 extension 105.