National Safety Month
An update from Tia Drumm, Caregiver Programs Coordinator
National Safety Month is coming up in June. When an emergency situation arises, we all want to be prepared. LifeStream’s Step-In Care Team Resource Binder is a great place to start! Any page that could be utilized in case of an emergency is highlighted blue. These pages can be easily ripped out or flipped to when needed. The Emergency Preparedness Tab inside the Binder contains a Crisis Planning Template, Emergency Contacts List, First Responder Tips, and even a GO Bag guide—and that’s just in one tab! (There are eight total.)
A great place to start in the Binder is getting a head start on any emergency. A guide for this plan can be found on page 33 with crisis planning in the event of a fire, tornado, power outage, and even a team member not arriving. Make sure you are practicing these plans to ensure they work for you and your loved one. Next, you could complete page 35 on Wandering if that pertains to your journey. There is a space for you to insert your loved one’s current photo so they can be recognized by others, a list of places they frequently speak about and may wander to, and even a few good tips that may be helpful to you.
Page 37, the Emergency Contact List, can be very helpful to fill out in case you can’t remember someone’s phone number at that time, don’t have your phone, or it can be utilized by a team member to make sure they are making the correct calls.
The goal of the Care Team Resource Binder is to support you in your journey. If you don’t currently have a Binder, you can check LifeStream’s Caregiver Support Page to find a local partner in your area who houses these, or request one online through the Caregiver Support Page link. Our Caregiver Programs Coordinator will reach out to you.
If you have a Binder and are in need of additional pages, you can request those by emailing stepin@ lifestreaminc.org with the title of the page or page number you need.
For more information about LifeStream’s STEP In Caregiver Programs, contact Tia Drumm at (765) 759-1121 ext. 101 or stepin@lifestreaminc.org.
Dementia Friendly Summer Activities
An update from Rachel Gray, Care Coach
When planning summer activities for individuals with dementia, it’s important to focus on sensory engagement, familiarity, and ease of participation. Outdoor walks in nature or around the neighborhood can provide fresh air and sunlight, which can boost mood and offer sensory stimulation. Gardening is another great option, as it allows for tactile engagement and a sense of accomplishment through simple tasks like watering plants or planting easy-to-care-for flowers. Creative activities like crafting, painting, or drawing can also be enjoyable and therapeutic, as they promote self-expression and focus. Listening to music, especially familiar songs, can improve mood and stimulate memories, so creating a playlist of their favorite tunes or having a sing-along can be very engaging.
For cognitive stimulation, simple puzzles or memory games are good choices, as they provide a fun way to engage the mind. A picnic in a safe, familiar outdoor environment can be a relaxing and enjoyable activity, especially when accompanied by familiar foods. Bird watching offers a calming experience while also promoting interaction with nature, and depending on comfort levels, gentle water activities like wading in a shallow pool or sitting near a fountain can be soothing. Memory boxes, filled with familiar objects and keepsakes, can stimulate conversation and bring comfort. Animal interaction, whether through a petting zoo or simply watching local wildlife, can have a therapeutic effect, improving mood and providing sensory stimulation. Visiting sensory gardens, designed to engage all the senses, can also be a calming and enriching experience. Additionally, reading aloud or telling stories—particularly familiar stories from their past—can engage the mind and foster a sense of connection. Throughout all of these activities, it’s important to consider the individual’s preferences, abilities, and safety, ensuring that activities are low-pressure and flexible, allowing them to participate in ways that are most comfortable for them.
Dementia Friends Sessions
In April, law enforcement officers attending Henry County’s first Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training participated in a Dementia Friends session. LifeStream’s Dementia Outreach Specialist (DOS) for Area 6, Christy Davidson, was able to facilitate this session to the Henry County Crisis Intervention Team. CIT training provides law enforcement officers with cognition, information, resources, and skills when responding to incidents involving mental health. Some officers had a better understanding of how to address someone with dementia and how to ask or direct them to safety.
Dementia Friends sessions are interactive opportunities to learn about the signs of Alzheimer’s and other related dementia. You will discover what it’s like to live with dementia and simple ways to implement practical changes that make life easier to navigate for those with dementia and those who care for them. Interested in hosting a Dementia Friends session? Reach out to Christy Davidson at (765) 7591121 ext. 298 or Kelly Smith at (765) 759-1121 ext. 297 to set up a session!
Visit lifestreaminc.org/stepin for Memory Kits and Dementia Caregiver Support Groups
Severe Weather Preparedness
An update from Melissa Roseborough, Care Coach
As the weather warms up, unpredictable and often dangerous weather can become more frequent. As caregivers, it’s essential to be ready to protect both ourselves and those in our care. Do you have a crisis plan in place for emergencies?
Recent outbreaks of tornadoes and damaging straight-line winds highlight how critical it is to be prepared. In the moment of crisis, having a plan can reduce stress and save valuable time.
Here are some key tips for emergency preparedness:
• Create an emergency supply kit. Use a watertight container to store essential items such as a list of medications, doctor contact information, extra cell phone chargers, non-perishable food, water, and a comfort item for your loved one. This is also a perfect place to keep your Care Team Resource Binder.
• Have an evacuation plan in place before a disaster strikes. Knowing your next steps in advance ensures you can act quickly and safely.
• Stay informed. When severe weather is approaching, staying informed is your first line of defense. Here are several ways to track conditions in your area:
• Download the Fox59Now app (available on Roku, Firestick, and other streaming platforms) for local news and alerts.
• Use Weather Underground for real-time radar and local forecasts.
• Visit The Weather Channel or check out NOAA, now rebranded as Clime, for detailed weather data.
• Follow storm chaser Ryan Hall, Y’all on YouTube for national severe weather updates in an easy-tounderstand format.
• Purchase a NOAA weather radio or contact your local Emergency Management Agency (EMA) for additional resources.
• Know what to do when sirens sound. If you hear emergency weather sirens, be prepared to do the following:
• Seek immediate shelter in a sturdy building. The safest place is a basement or storm cellar. If that’s not available, go to a small, interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows.
• Wear sturdy shoes and clothing, and use helmets if available, especially for children and vulnerable adults.
Being proactive today means you’ll be ready to act tomorrow. Stay safe, and stay prepared.
Aging Well Conference & 50th Anniversary
An update from Kellie Magoon, Care Coach
Please join us at the Horizon Convention Center on June 3, 2025 from 8:00am–2:30pm as we celebrate 50 years of service to older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers in East Central Indiana!
After the 50th celebration, Aging Well Conference participants are invited to attend our vendor fair before conference sessions begin. As always, this conference is custom made for you—the caregiver, aging adult, wellness enthusiast, and health professional. Whether you identify with one, two, or all of these titles, the Aging Well Conference has something for you. This conference will equip attendees with the knowledge to make positive changes in your personal and professional life.
Schedule-At-A-Glance
8:00am–8:30am Registration
8:30am Breakfast Service Begins
9:00am–10:00am 50th Anniversary Celebration & Awards Ceremony
10:00am–11:30am Resource Fair
11:30am–12:15pm Session 1 - Choose one of three workshops
12:30pm–1:15pm Session 2 - Choose one of three workshops
1:30pm–2:30pm Session 3 - Specialty Workshops presented by LifeStream Services
• Session 1: Lifestyle Choices for your Brain/Incorporating a Mediterranean Lifestyle/Serving with Integrity: Multiculturalism in Rural Helping Professions
• Session 2: Brain Health/Understanding Special Needs Trusts and Miller Trusts/Leadership Qualities: Finding Your Why and Leading with Purpose
• Session 3: Dementia Live®/Memory Screenings/Drums Alive
LifeStream is dedicated to promoting healthy living in mind, body, and spirit; the Aging Well Conference is designed to do just that. Learn more by visiting www.lifestreaminc.org or call (765) 759-1121.
Gardening with Care: Safety and Growth
Gardening can be such a rewarding and therapeutic activity, from planning and planting to tending to the garden or even enjoying the fresh air while outside. If you are tending to a garden of your own or looking to attend a community garden, there are safety measures one should consider.
For caregivers, it’s important to balance enjoyment with safety, especially when looking out for the health and well-being of yourself and loved ones.
No matter who you are caring for, whether they’re someone with mobility or cognitive challenges or other health concerns, a garden can be a place for relaxation and connection with each other and your senses.
A few garden safety tips to consider:
• Create clear, accessible paths: Navigating a garden should be as clear and simple as possible. Ensure garden paths are wide, flat, and free of obstacles to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. Include shaded seating areas along the way for rest and conversation.
• Choose safe plants: Choose non-toxic plants and be aware of any that may cause allergic reactions for you or your loved ones.
• Prepare for the weather: Excessive heat or cold can be dangerous for anyone. Before heading out to a garden, check the forecast and prepare appropriately. On hot days, stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, and light-colored, breathable clothing. Plan to garden during cooler times of the day like early morning.
• Use tools safely: Many garden-related injuries can be from using tools improperly. Ensure that all gardening tools are in good working condition, with sturdy handles. Store tools safely when not in use. If you’re unfamiliar with a tool, ask for demonstration or assistance.
If you or your loved do not have a garden of your own or just wish to engage your senses and connection while in the community, be on the lookout for the new LifeStream and COPE Environmental Center partnered Sensory Garden with future workshops. Available for Caregivers in the community and their loved ones to connect together and their senses while in nature.
The workshops are a free and special gardening event designed to inspire and empower older adults and caregivers. The first workshop is a hands-on event with planting, learning, and connection, taking place Saturday, May 10, from 10am–12pm. Be on the lookout for future workshops to come!
1701 Pilgrim Blvd.
Yorktown, IN 47396
lifestreaminc.org
(800) 589-1121 | lifestreaminc.org | facebook.com/lifestreamservices
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