DONATE | OUR SERVICES | MAY 2024

Give For Good 2024

Early Giving is OPEN! Donate to The Bridge Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center now through Tuesday, May 7.

We are creating a community where no one affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia makes the journey alone. Our program coordinator Alecia wants to tell you why it's important to Give for Good!

It’s time for Give for Good! Interested in what programs we offer? Let Laura tell you!

It’s time for Give for Good! Are you interested in Alzheimer’s stats in Louisiana? Are you interested in hearing more about The Bridge? Call us at 318-656-4800!

Join us on Give for Good Day on May 7 at The Seventh Tap Brewing Project for Battle of the Brains Trivia Contest! Hosted by Student Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN) & Psychiatry Student Interest Group Network (PSYCHSIGN) at LSU Health, Shreveport, School of Medicine.

Proceeds of this event will benefit The Bridge Alzheimer's & Dementia Resource Center.

Upcoming Events

May 1, 2024

11:00 a.m. – First Wednesday Workshop: VA Benefits and Long-Term Care by Vickie Rech

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

May 7, 2024

6:00 p.m. – Give For Good Event: 2nd Annual Battle of the Brains Trivia Contest

• Location: The Seventh Tap Brewing Project, 2640 Linwood Ave, Shreveport, LA 71103

6:00 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

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

May 8, 2024

11:00 a.m. – Wednesday with Friends: Accordion Performance

• 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

May 9, 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

May 14, 2024

11:00 a.m. – Alzheimer's Community Forum

• Location: Bossier Parish Libraries Plain Dealing Branch, 208 E Mary Lee Ave, Plain Dealing, LA 71064

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

May 15, 2024

1:00 p.m. – Zoom Online Support Group

• Call The Bridge for login information at 318-656-4800

May 16, 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

May 17, 2024

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

May 18, 2024

8:00 a.m. – Zeta Phi Beta Aging in the Ark-La-Tex Discussion Panel

• Location: Oak Park Elementary, 4331 Henry St, Shreveport, LA 71109

9:30 a.m. – Caregiver Support Group

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

May 21, 2024

11:00 a.m. – Alzheimer's Community Forum

• Location: Valencia Park, 1800 Viking Drive Shreveport, LA 71101

2:00 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

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

May 22, 2024

1:00 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

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

May 23, 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

May 24, 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

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. – BCOA Health Fair

• Location: Bossier Council on Aging, 706 Bearkat Dr., Bossier City, LA 71111

May 27, 2024

CLOSED FOR MEMORIAL DAY

May 28, 2024

1:30 p.m. – Caregiver Support Group

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

May 29, 2024

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. – National Senior Health Fair

• Location: Minden Recreation Center, 1001 Recreation Dr, Minden, LA 71055

May 30, 2024

9:30 a.m. – Alzheimer's Community Forum

• Location: Willie & Mary Mack Memorial Branch - Webster Parish Library, 1000 S Arkansas St., Springhill, LA 71075

Vickie Rech is our featured speaker for May’s First Wednesday Workshop scheduled for May 1 from 11:00 to 12 noon at The Bridge Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center, located at 851 Olive St. in Shreveport. The topic is “VA Benefits & Long-term Care.” The workshop is free to attend and no reservations are required. Video of her presentation can be found on our YouTube channel.

Vickie Rech is a Client Care Coordinator and works with attorney, Kyle A. Moore, in the Estate Planning practice of Weems, Schimpf, Haines, & Moore (APLC). Her primary focus is assisting clients with qualifying for long-term care Medicaid and Veteran’s Aid and Attendance pension. Vickie is a Certified Medicaid Planner™ through the Wealth Preservation Institute. Vickie was the first CMP™ in Northwest Louisiana.

Vickie has a BS degree in Recreation Education with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation and a Masters of Business Administration. She has 20 years of previous experience working in physical medicine and rehabilitation in various capacities including Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Program Coordinator, and Case Manager. Before she started with the firm in 2007, Vickie worked several years as a Geriatric Care Manager in private practice.

Wednesday with Friends this month will be a special music act by accordionist Bob Black who learned to play the accordion as a young boy. In seventh grade, he stopped playing and picked up the guitar as his next instrument and the accordion was forgotten for years. Later in life, Bob was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia with Parkinson’s and according to Bob, he went through a period of depression. His son, Jason, became concerned and learned that his father used to play the accordion, so he ordered one for his father, all the way from Italy. This gift transformed Bob’s life and soon he was playing at talent shows benefitting nursing homes. He does not consider himself a professional musician but once you hear him play and sing, you will see how gifted he is and how he doesn’t let the disease slow him down in his love for music. You will hear an assortment of music from gospel to rock n roll to blues. Join us for this special hour of entertainment!

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 first meeting is Friday, May 17 at 11:00 am at The Bridge. The group will meet monthly, every third Friday, beginning at 11:00 am and 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. “This type of grief support group is different than other grief support groups because it is dementia oriented. The journey for dementia caregivers is long and is often referred to as The Long Goodbye,” said Paulette Freeman, executive director of The Bridge. 

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 will be present at the following Health Fairs. Our speakers will cover topics such as Introduction to The Bridge and Its Services, Dementia 101, and Reducing Your Risk for Alzheimer’s. We hope to see you there! 

The Bridge Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center will be present at the following Community Forums on Alzheimer’s & Dementia. There is no cost to attend these events! Our speakers will cover topics such as Introduction to The Bridge and Its Services, Dementia 101, and Reducing Your Risk for Alzheimer’s. We hope to see you there! 

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.

April Overview

Thank You Alpha Delta Kappa, Delta Chapter!

April 2, 20 - Cynthia (pictured left) with Alpha Delta Kappa, Delta Chapter brought us a generous supply of snacks for our programs plus a generous check donation from their chapter. Thank you! We appreciate your support! (Laura, our program director is pictured right.)

Program Director, Laura Gauthier Guest Speaker at The Glen

April 5, 2024 - Laura Gauthier was a guest speaker at the Continuing Education Units (CEU) course at The Glen this month! She spoke on the topic “How To Help Family Members Make The Best Decision For Their Loved One With Dementia.”

First Wednesday Workshop

Featuring Laura Gauthier, "Empowering Yourself as a Caregiver”

KSLA Senior Focus

Laura Gauthier was on KSLA Senior Focus with Priscilla Borrego on March 28 to discuss common myths of dementia.

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