August / September
2004

Director's Re ort

Continuum of Caring

A Publication of The Doro thy & Peter Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Care Program

By Peter Ostrow

st a few months ago the Brown Program
celebrated its 5-year anniversary. I have
been reflecting on what this unique pro-
gram has achieved and how it has incorporated
adult day care for persons with memory disor-
ders into the continuum of services that enables
seniors in our community to age in place. This
array of services, made possible through the sup-
port of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit and the Jewish Fund, is highly regarded
locally and around the nation. Our accomplish-
ments include:
We created the only dementia-specific day
services program in the area that serves and
targets meaningful activities to persons at all
stages of dementia.
a We spearheaded innovative activities includ-
ing intergenerational programming like par-
ticipants mentoring young school children,
support groups for early stage participants,
therapeutic gardens at both sites, frequent
field trips to maintain participant involvement
in their communities and sensory activities to
effectively engage persons with late-stage
dementia.
n We have served more than 300 individuals
with dementia and hundreds more of their
family caregivers, providing the latter with
professional social worker services, support
groups and dementia training. Family mem-
bers often call the program a "lifesaver," for
the respite and other supports it furnishes.
gi We built an extensive corps of volunteers from
teens to seniors who have become caring
friends to persons with Alzheimer's and relat-
ed dementia disorders.
IA We have partnered with many community
organizations to raise money for dementia
research, to create an award-winning video
highlighting adult day services, to offer schol-
arships to needy individuals in need of adult
day care, to educate family caregivers and to
heighten public awareness of the need for
dementia services at all levels.
I also reflect with gratitude on the great gen-
erosity of our benefactors Dorothy Brown and
Peter Brown (of blessed memory), who provided
not only the bricks and mortar but shared in our

Marie (right) and daughter Loretta enjoy the
Brown Center Garden at JVS.

vision for this program. Their support and that of
our host agencies, JVS and JHAS, Federation's
Elderlink and the Jewish Fund have sustained our
growth. This generosity and vision are reflected
in the program's Advisory Committee, which
supports the program's mission in myriad ways.
Dorothy Brown and her loving family extend-
ed the circle of caring through funding the new
Dorothy and Peter D. Brown Memory Care
Pavilion at the Fleischman Residence. This state-
of-the-art residence furnishes a supportive envi-
ronment for persons with dementia who need a
safe and secure setting. The pavilion provides 24-
hour nursing, recreational and social supports.
The staff creates programs to enhance function
and enrich life through professionally planned
activities, which encourage resident socialization,
stimulation, autonomy and self-expression.
Bringing the continuum of caring full circle
is the Memory Club at JVS, which just opened
August 3rd. The Memory Club, supported
with generous funding from the Shirley Harris
Fund, assists senior adults starting to experi-
ence memory problems - whether due to early
dementia, serious health problems or the
aging process in general. The club teaches
memory-enhancing techniques that allow per-
sons to remain functional and independent in
the community as long as possible. Stimulating
games, exercise, music and field trips enhance
participants' enjoyment and foster social rela-
tionships.

continued on page 4

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Become
A Caring
Friend!

• Become a caring friend to a participant who needs one-to-one attention.
• Assist on community outings or transporting participants to and from
program.
• Share special talents, such as music, gardening, cooking/baking or art.
• Help with office work.
o Engage participants at lunchtime and in the afternoon.
Please contact Dorothy Mantis at 248.233.4392 to sign up for free
volunteer training in September / October. c

JVS Realizing Life's Potential ® 29699 Southfield Road 0 Southfield, MI 48076 0 248.233.4000
Jewish Home & Aging Services © 6720 W. Maple Road 0 West Bloomfield, MI 48322 0 248.661.6390

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