DONATE | OUR SERVICES | JUNE 2024

Thank You for Giving For Good!

Your generous donations helped us achieve $38,285 in donations from 90 donors and placed #18 in the Top 20 leaderboard.

Farewell to The Bridge Development Director, Shelley Miller

Please join us in saying farewell to Shelley Miller, Development Director, for The Bridge. She has been instrumental in building our organization to what it is today through her leadership and development work. She has been a loyal and dedicated member of our staff for the last 4 years and we wish her well in her future endeavors.

Upcoming Events

June 4, 2024

6:00 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

• Location: The Blake of Bossier City, 200 The Blake Blvd., Bossier City, LA 71111

June 5, 2024

11:00 a.m. – First Wednesday Workshop: Caddo COA Ombudsman

• Location: The Bridge Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center, 851 Olive St., Shreveport, LA 71104

June 6, 2024

5:30 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

• The Glen Retirement System, 403 E Flournoy Lucas Rd, Shreveport, LA 71115

June 11, 2024

Noon – Caregiver Support Group

• Location: Sabine Council on Aging, 206 Franklin St., Converse, LA 71419

2:00 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

• Location: Trinity Heights Baptist Church, 3820 Old Mooringsport Rd., Shreveport, LA 71107

4:00 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

• Location: Benton Council Aging, 202 Sibley St. Benton, LA 71006

June 12, 2024

11:00 a.m. – Wednesday with Friends: Paint Pouring with Christy

• Location: The Bridge Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center, 851 Olive St., Shreveport, LA 71104

1:00 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

• Location: First Presbyterian Church - Shreveport, 900 Jordan St., Shreveport, LA 71101

5:00 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

• Location: Broadmoor Baptist Church, 4110 Youree Dr., Shreveport, LA 71105

June 13, 2024

Noon – Caregiver Support Group

• Location: First Methodist - Shreveport, 500 Common St., Shreveport, LA 71101

2:00 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

• Location: The Bridge Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center, 851 Olive St., Shreveport, LA 71104

June 15, 2024

9:30 a.m. – Caregiver Support Group

• Location: Fitness Lady, 1700 Old Minden Rd. #180, Bossier City, LA 71111

June 18, 2024

2:00 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

• Location: Natchitoches Council on Aging, 1016 Keyser Ave., Natchitoches, LA 71457

June 19, 2024

CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAY

June 20, 2024

10:00 a.m. – Art Connection

• Location: Noel Memorial UMC, 520 Herndon St., Shreveport, LA 71101

1:00 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

• Location: Savannah Grand of Bossier City, 4770 Brandon Blvd., Bossier City, LA 71111

June 21, 2024

10:00 a.m. – Memory Screenings

• Bienville Parish Library in Gibsland, Gibsland, LA 71028

11:00 a.m. – NEW! Alzheimer's/Dementia Caregiver Grief Support Group

• Location: The Bridge Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center, 851 Olive St., Shreveport, LA 71104

June 25, 2024

1:30 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

• Location: Ellerbe Road Methodist Church, 10130 Ellerbe Rd., Shreveport, LA 71106

June 26, 2024

1:00 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

• Location: First Presbyterian Church - Shreveport, 900 Jordan St., Shreveport, LA 71101

June 27, 2024

10:00 a.m. – NEW! Caregiver Support Group

• Location: The Oaks of Louisiana, 600 E Flournoy Lucas Rd., Shreveport, LA 71115

2:00 p.m. – Drum and Hand Percussion Group

• Location: The Bridge Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center, 851 Olive St., Shreveport, LA 71104

5:30 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

• Location: Broadmoor Presbyterian Church - Adult Building, 1915 Grover Place, Shreveport, LA 71105

June 28, 2024

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. – Latino Memory Screenings

• Location: The Bridge Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center, 851 Olive St., Shreveport, LA 71104

Our featured speaker for the First Wednesday Workshop on June 5th at 11:00 a.m. will be Casandra Cesare from the Caddo Council on Aging. What is an Ombudsman? What can an Ombudsman do for You? You’ll have answers to these questions and much more in this educational and informative meeting for caregivers. This workshop is free to attend, and no reservations are required. It is held at The Bridge Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center, located at 851 Olive Street, Shreveport, LA.

Casandra Cesare is the Louisiana State Ombudsman Program Manager for the Caddo region, which includes 7 parishes in Northwest Louisiana and is housed out of the Caddo Council on Aging. Born and raised in Bossier City, Louisiana, Casandra obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Psychology from LSUS and enjoyed a 20-year career as a mental health therapist before “retiring” to develop and facilitate programs for the state of Louisiana. Casandra has lived in 9 states and has worked in the prison system, school system, hospitals, and rehab facilities, before returning to her hometown area of Shreveport post-pandemic to further develop and facilitate the Louisiana State Ombudsman Program for the Caddo region. Casandra believes this program is vital to the advocacy of the population in long-term care facilities promoting the rights of residents and advocating for change within the long-term care system. In her time off, Casandra enjoys reading, gardening, traveling, attending social events with friends, and spending time with her cats.

Former staff member, Christy Kennedy, will be leading our First Wednesday with Friends with a paint-pouring activity, see her example in this photo. What is Paint Pouring? Paint Pouring is a fluid painting technique used to create art by pouring acrylic paint onto a canvas. Acrylic paint pouring is a fun way to create art at any skill level! Caregivers can come by themselves for some “alone” creative time and dementia individuals are invited to join in as well.

This activity is open to caregivers and their family member living with dementia.

ART can connect us socially, boost cognitive function, stimulate language, reawaken memories, & provide a sense of accomplishment. Join us every third Thursday at 10:00 am at Noel United Methodist Church. Thank you to the Noel Community Arts Program for sponsoring this activity!

This activity is open to caregivers and their family member living with dementia.

The Bridge Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center (The Bridge) is providing a Caregiver Grief Support Group for those who have lost a family member to Alzheimer’s and other dementias. The group will be led by Anthony Williams, Licensed Professional Counselor and Bridge Board of Directors member. The Bridge realized the importance of this grief support group from talking to caregivers who have lost their loved one. People grieving family members who have died after a long-term decline, due to Alzheimer’s and dementia have different needs.

If you have lost a recent family member to Alzheimer’s or dementia or know of someone who has, you can call The Bridge at 318-656-4800 for more information.

Join us for an informative and exciting session where we will explore various drums, hand percussion instruments, and participate in a drum circle. This event is open to caregivers and their family members or friends with dementia. Drum and Hand Percussion is every fourth Thursday at 2:00 pm at The Bridge Alzheimer's & Dementia Resource Center, located at 851 Olive St, Shreveport. Thank you to the Noel Community Arts Program for sponsoring this activity!

This activity is open to caregivers and their family member living with dementia.

The Bridge Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center Announces Eric Portnoff as Keynote Speaker for 4th Annual Education Conference on Alzheimer’s & Dementia

The Bridge Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center is excited to announce Eric Portnoff as our keynote speaker for the 4^th Annual Education Conference on Alzheimer’s & Dementia scheduled for Friday, November 8, 2024.

Eric Portnoff, B.A., CVT is a highly experienced professional in the senior living industry, with a career spanning over 35 years. Eric began his career working with adults with developmental disabilities and mental illness in residential settings. After two decades in this field, Eric became a nonprofit Executive Director before transitioning to the senior living industry as an Executive Director.

Eric's passion for dementia support led him to become a Regional Director and Vice-President of Memory Care and Resident Programs as well as a Certified Validation Teacher. One of his career highlights was teaching the first Validation Certification courses ever offered in China over a three-year period.

Currently, Eric serves as Regional Director of Wellness Programming for MBK Senior Living, where he brings his extensive experience and expertise to lead the development and implementation of innovative and engaging memory care and wellness programs for older adults.

Outside of work, Eric is an avid traveler, backpacker, and scuba diver. He also has a passion for video and photography and enjoys fine Scotch. Eric lives in Poulsbo, WA with his wife and 20-year-old son, and close to his two lovely granddaughters.

4th Annual Education Conference on Alzheimer’s & Dementia Agenda

What to Expect:

• Discover cutting-edge assistive technologies for cognitive enhancement.
• Explore digital tools that promote physical health and emotional well-being.
• Learn how technology can facilitate meaningful social connections.
• Hear inspiring real-life stories showcasing the positive impacts of technology.
• Gain practical insights for overcoming barriers to technology adoption.

Who Should Attend:

• Care partners and family members
• Healthcare professionals and service providers
• Anyone passionate about promoting well-being and quality of life for people living with dementia.

May Overview

Mental Health Provider Day

May 12, 2024 - We celebrated Mental Health Provider Day by recognizing all the mental health providers including those who serve on our staff and board!

LSU Health Shreveport Internal Medicine Resident Tour at The Bridge

Recently, we were honored to be part of a community tour for 45 internal medicine residents from the LSU Health Shreveport internal medicine residency program!

First Wednesday Workshop

Featuring Vickie Rech, "VA Benefits and Long-Term Care”

KTAL News Health

Laura Gauthier spoke with KTAL News on May 10 about ways to spend Mother's Day with someone living with dementia.

KSLA Mind Matters

Executive Director Paulette Freeman appeared on KSLA with Priscilla Borrego on May 12 to discuss The Bridge's newest support group, the Caregiver Grief Support Group.

KSLA Senior Focus

Laura Gauthier was on KSLA Senior Focus with Priscilla Borrego on May 15 to discuss how Alzheimer's & dementia affect more women than men.

Open Position at The Bridge - Join Our Team!

Are you interested in being a part of a growing non-profit organization that is having a positive impact on those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias? The Bridge has a part-time position open as a Grant Writer. See job description below. Send your resume to Paulette Freeman, Executive Director, at paulettefreeman@alzbridge.org.

View Full Job Description

*Please call to confirm the date and time of group meetings before attending for the first time. Facilitators vary.

To be able to say how you feel and have others understand.

To be angry and others will not say you should not feel like that.

To find help on how to handle difficult behavior problems.

To learn that you cannot and should not be the only one responsible for caring for a loved one who has the disease.

To learn where to go for help in caring for a loved one.

To realize it is possible to laugh at some of the impossible, crazy things that happen during a day with a person living with dementia.

To learn to stop trying to teach, or reason, with your loved one and instead accept that the way she/he sees things is very real for her/him.

To discover that it is important to have some time for yourself and not feel guilty about it.

To become aware of how much it helps to know you are not making this dementia journey alone.

To discover that coping is easier with the support and caring understanding of the others present.

Programs of The Bridge Alzheimer's & Dementia Resource Center are supported by

Community Foundation of North Louisiana ~ First Presbyterian Church Shreveport

The Alta and John Franks Foundation ~ Powers Foundation

The Thomas H. and Mayme P. Scott Foundation

The Bridge Alzheimer's & Dementia Resource Center

851 Olive Street

Shreveport, LA 71104

(318) 656-4800

www.alzbridge.org