ALZHEIMERPARKINSON ASSOC OF IRC INC

THE ALZHEIMER/PARKINSON ASSOCIATION OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, INC. (THE "ASSOCIATION") WAS FOUNDED IN MARCH 1982 BY TWO VOLUNTEERS WHO FELT THE NEED TO COME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER THROUGH THE TRIALS OF THE ONSET OF BOTH ALZHEIMER'S AND PARKINSON'S DISEASES OF LOVED ONES. FROM ITS HISTORY AS A SUPPORT GROUP, THE ORGANIZATION HAS GROWN ITS PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES TO BECOME THE PREMIER RESOURCE IN THIS COUNTY SUPPORTING PROFESSIONALS, CAREGIVERS, FAMILIES, AND THOSE LIVING WITH DISORDERS AFFECTING MEMORY AND MOVEMENT. PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED AT OUR 4,000 SQUARE FOOT CENTER AS WELL AS SATELLITE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND ON SITE AT VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESSES. PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES DEALING WITH DEMENTIA INCLUDE SUPPORT GROUPS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH, IN VARYING LOCATIONS AND VIRTUALLY, SOME OF WHICH ARE FOCUSED ON SPECIALIZED ISSUES (RECENTLY DIAGNOSED, MALE CAREGIVER, ETC.). THE SOCIAL RESPITE PROGRAM IS OFFERED MONDAY-FRIDAY FROM 9-3, TWO SATURDAYS A MONTH AND AT SATELLITE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. THIS OFFERS THE CAREGIVER A DAY OF RESPITE AND THE PERSON WITH DEMENTIA ENGAGING ACTIVITIES WHICH INCLUDE MUSIC, ART, CHAIR EXERCISE, SOCIAL GAMES, CELEBRATIONS EMPHASIZING SOCIAL INTERACTION AND VALIDATION. A DEMENTIA EXPERIENCE BRINGS HEIGHTENED AWARENESS TO FAMILIES, PROFESSIONAL CAREGIVERS, THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY, FIRST RESPONDERS, BUSINESSES AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, AS THEY ATTEMPT TO ACCOMPLISH TASKS IN SENSORY DISTORTING EQUIPMENT, ALLOWING AN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN THE APPROACH TO SOMEONE WITH DEMENTIA. THROUGH THE DEMENTIA FRIENDLY COMMUNITY INITIATIVE THIS EXPERIENCE IS OFFERED TO FAMILIES, BUSINESSES, NURSING/RESIDENT FACILITIES, FIRST RESPONDERS, SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, CHURCHES AND COMMUNITY NEIGHBORHOODS. PROJECT LIFESAVER IS A PROGRAM IN COLLABORATION WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE PROVIDING A PERSONALIZED TRACKING DEVICE FOR THOSE AT RISK OF WANDERING. MEMORY SCREENING IS OFFERED WEEKLY AND PERSONALIZED GUIDANCE IS AVAILABLE ON A DAILY BASIS TO ASSIST FAMILIES IN PLANNING THE CAREGIVING JOURNEY. FOR COMMUNITY RESIDENTS MANAGING MOVEMENT DISORDERS SUCH AS PARKINSON'S DISEASE OR ESSENTIAL TREMOR, THERE ARE SUPPORT GROUPS, ART PROGRAMS, AND SPECIALIZED MOVEMENT CLASSES FOR EXERCISE, BALANCE, STRENGTH, AND VOICE/BREATHING CONCERNS. EDUCATION IS PROVIDED THROUGH CONFERENCES, WEBINARS, CLASSES WHICH ARE OFFERED ONGOING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, SPECIAL SPEAKERS AND A RESOURCE LIBRARY OFFERING BOOKS, MAGAZINES, MEDIA, AND MATERIALS FROM COMMUNITY RESOURCES. SOME PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE INDIAN RIVER COUNTY RESIDENTS WITH A NETWORK OF SERVICES. ALL PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE TO THE FAMILIES OF IRC.