Supporting and empowering caregivers

Dr. Jaclynn Faffer President/ CEO

As you are all aware, Naples Senior Center has a vibrant program for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia (ADRD), as well as programs for their caregivers. Through a recent grant from the Moorings Park Foundation, we have been able to significantly expand our caregiver support programs.

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related disorders can be a long, stressful and intensely emotional journey. Family caregivers of people with ADRD are often referred to as the “invisible patient.” Caregiving can put a person at increased risk for significant health problems and many dementia caregivers say they experience depression, high levels of stress or burnout. Having help and support along the way is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Research has shown that the more the caregiver learns about their loved one’s disease and how it will progress over the years, the better they will be able to prepare for future challenges, reduce frustration and foster reasonable expectations.

Naples Senior Center’s Connecting Caregivers Support Program expands upon current dementia services to create a multifaceted program to support and empower caregivers. By providing the resources, education and social engagement, caregivers will feel they are part of a broader community. They are not alone.

The comprehensive caregiver program is comprised of three components:

1) Resources and support, including a weekly caregiver support group, individual caregiver support and our dementia respite support groups

2) Education, including a monthly caregiver virtual informational discussion, led by various experts in the field, and a quarterly four-hour caregiver “boot camp”

3) Social engagement, including group social activities (for now, virtual) and a private Facebook page for the caregivers

The initial response to NSC’s comprehensive caregiver support program has been significant. Particularly during these difficult times of limited interaction outside the home, this new program is true to our mission of combating isolation and loneliness in seniors. For more information about the caregiver program and/or the dementia respite program, please contact Simona Staicu-Levy at 239-325-4444 or sstaicu-levy@naplesseniorcenter.org.

Naples Senior Center continues to offer all programs on a virtual platform, and we will continue to do so until it is safe to bring our members, clients and volunteers back onsite.

We appreciate the creativity, resilience and patience of all those we serve, and all those who work on their behalf.

Temple Shalom events open to the community

Temple Shalom offers many virtual opportunities to stay connected during this time of social distancing. In addition to the events listed below, please visit our YouTube channel, Temple Shalom Naples, for beautiful music from Cantor Donna Azu and previously recorded programs from Rabbi Adam Miller, Cantor Donna Azu, Rabbi Ariel Boxman, Rabbi James Perman and Rabbi Frank Muller. Follow us on Facebook, TempleShalomNaplesFL, for informational links and live content. For Zoom links to our other programs and events, please send a request to info@naplestemple.org.

Shabbat services

These services are available via our livestream (found on our website under the Media tab) and Facebook Live (on the Temple Shalom Facebook page) Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday mornings at 10 a.m.

Havdalah service

Every Saturday evening at 7:30, the Havdalah service is live on our Facebook page and interactive on Zoom. Please email info@naplestemple.org for the link.

Saturday morning Torah Study

Torah Study takes place every Saturday at 9 a.m. via Zoom. Please email info@ naplestemple.org for the link.

Stories of Music

Facilitated by Cantor Donna Azu, Stories of Music is an adult education project of the Lowell Milken Fund for American Jewish Music at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. Each class offers a broad range of musically related topics about the American Jewish experience through stories of the evolving nature of Jewish music. On Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 10 a.m. via Zoom, the topic will be “Yiddishe Amerika.” Please email info@naplestemple.org for the Zoom link.

Introduction to Judaism class

This six-week course begins Thursday, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Are you interested in exploring Judaism? Do you know someone that is? The Introduction to Judaism class at Temple Shalom is an engaging, multi-session course for anyone interested in exploring Jewish life, facilitated by Rabbi Adam Miller and Cantor Donna Azu. This course is free. Registration is required. Please visit https:// tinyurl.com/TSintrotoJudaism to register.

Special Havdalah with musician Jacob Kraus

Join us for this special Havdalah Saturday, Jan. 9, at 7:30 p.m. on Facebook Live, as musician Jacob Kraus leads us in bidding farewell to Shabbat and welcoming the new week.

For more information on these events, go to www.naplestemple.org or call 239-455-3030.