Social4Good Supports Caregivers and Their Loved Ones in March
Worldwide, 55 million people are living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease and the most common form of dementia. Dementia is not a specific disease. It is an overall term that describes a group of symptoms. More than 60% of caregivers reside with their patients in the United States.
The Insight Memory Care Center (IMCC; insightmcc.org) is a nonprofit adult day health and resource center providing specialized care, support, and education for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments, and their families, caregivers, and community. Serving Northern Virginia since 1984, IMCC offers a spectrum of holistic care with a vision of a community where those affected by memory impairments can achieve the highest quality of life. The IMCC offers such programs as:
- Early Stage Programs provide care and support to individuals and families who have recently received a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or who are in the early stages of memory impairment. Adult Day Health Centers provide a safe, engaging, and therapeutic environment for people with memory impairment in mid-to-late stages. It is the only dementiaspecific day center in the DC metro area and still the only adult day health center in Northern Virginia with programs for people in the later stages of an Alzheimer’s illness.
- Support programs offer support groups, consultations, and memory screenings to reduce caregiver stress and provide practical solutions to caregiving challenges.
On March 23, Social4Good (S4G) members and guests met at The Mather in McLean, VA, participated in a memory-challenging icebreaker, created kits tailored for each client’s stage, and learned more about the programs IMCC offers caregivers and clients at every stage of their journey. Thirty-two kits were created and filled with creative tools to assist with activities caregivers can do at home with their loved ones and a special treat baked by the Davis Career Center. Our financial donations also sponsored much-needed supplies for the center, including gift cards for Shutterfly, which are used to create photos of clients and their families, and music devices that IMCC can fill with playlists tailored for each client. “Insight Memory Care Center’s goal is to provide care, education, and support for clients and their families facing memory impairment challenges. Our approach is client-centered, with programs designed to offer a safe space for connection and interaction. Social4Good’s Gifts give caregivers tools they can use for purposeful engagement. With loved ones at home and equipment our center’s staff can use to engage clients,”
Jessica Peters, Assistant Director, IMCC S4G is an all-volunteer, grassroots organization that brings together engaged women who want to meet new people and support the organizations that make our community strong. Each month, this column will highlight S4G’s monthly project to raise awareness about critical needs in our community and local nonprofits making a difference.
To learn more about S4G or to support local nonprofits, visit www.Social4Goodevents.org.
