Jewish Federation Plans Alzheimer’s Support, Live Well Workshop

SOUTHBURY ­— A monthly support group for friends and family of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias takes place on Thursday, July 12, at 10:30 am at the Jewish Federation of Western Connecticut, 444 Main Street North.

There is no charge for this open and on-going group, whose purpose is to provide emotional, educational, and social support for caregivers through regularly scheduled meetings. Heather Hitchcock, Northwestern regional director of the Alzheimer’s Association, facilitates the group. Refreshments will be served.

In other news, on two Thursdays, July 12 and 19, from 11 am to noon, Sandy Micalizzi, APRN and certified diabetes educator from the Heart Center of Greater Waterbury, will present two classes appropriate for children, teens, and adults on diabetes.

Topics to be covered include what diabetes is, how it affects the whole body, healthy eating and carbohydrate counting. This course is free and open to the public, but seating is limited.

Also, a free six-week Live Well Workshop meets on Mondays from 9:30 am to noon, from July 16 through August 20 at the Federation. The Live Well Program empowers people to take control of their health.  

Through a series of six weekly workshops, Live Well helps people with ongoing health conditions find better ways of dealing with pain, fatigue, difficult emotions, anxiety, and stress. Participants will learn easy exercises to improve strength and energy, how to eat better, the appropriate use of medications, and how to talk effectively with family and friends.

This program was developed at Stanford University and is appropriate for people ages 18 and over, with chronic health conditions like diabetes, depression, heart disease, arthritis, pain, and anxiety, or for caregivers of those with an ongoing health condition.

This program is sponsored by the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging and the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

There is no cost to attend, but you must call to reserve a space.

To get more information or make a reservation, contact Debby Horowitz, Brownstein Jewish Family Service director, at 203-267-3177, extension 310.