Click on the any of the titles below to learn more about topics.
The Joy of Therapy Dogs
When Breezy walks in the room the smiles are everywhere our hands are reaching out to pet her…more
Daily Caring
What is a Memory Café? A Memory Café is a comfortable, supportive environment where people with dementia and their family caregivers can socialize, build support networks, and enjoy dementia-friendly activities together.
Therapeutic Activities
Therapeutic activities are beneficial to individuals living with Alzheimer’s at all stages of the disease. Therapeutic activities can increase cognitive function, provide joy and relaxation, and contribute to healthy aging.
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Fact Sheet
This fact sheet explains best practices for how to talk about HCBS and the individuals who rely on these services in ways that are persuasive to broad audiences.
Senior Gems® Guides How Caregivers Care for seniors with
Alzheimer’s & Dementia
The Senior Gems® is a classification system using gems to compare the different stages of dementia. The gems are used as a metaphor to define normal aging and the many appearances, behavior changes, skill sets and needs of those living with the effects of neurocognitive failure (dementia) or other brain changes.
5 Tips for Reducing Conflict in Dementia Care
Are you caring for a person living with dementia and have experienced situations where the person responded aggressively to you trying to help? Understandably, this can leave you feeling surprised, frustrated, or upset. You were trying to help, and yet your efforts were met with resistance. But why does this happen in the first place? And more importantly – what can you do?
Respite for Caregivers – NC Publicly Funded Options
“Respite is a break for unpaid caregivers who provide ongoing care for an individual of any age who needs help, care, or supervision due to disability, chronic condition, or other special needs. Respite is intended to provide relief to the caregiver.” Learn about publicly funded options in North Carolina.
HELPSHEET: Non-Drug Treatments for Dementia
Tips from The Alzheimer’s Society
Wiser Now Caregiving Information on dementia care and support, featuring Kathy Laurenhue, chair of Dementia Action Alliance’s Arts Work Group made up of artists living with dementia and those who work in the field of dementia and the arts.
TEDx Talk on Memory Cafés by Beth Soltzberg
This video features images captured at various memory cafés and prompts viewers to consider how memories define our lives—and the role memory cafés can play in supporting people with dementia and their care partners.
Music has power—for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. This resource is compiled by Angelo Sonesso
Dementia Warning Signs for Caregivers
How to spot early indicators that your loved one may have Alzheimer’s or dementia.
AA NIH Grant
Alzheimer’s Association awarded a National Institutes of Health Grant for psycho-social dementia care research.
Home Care Pros and Cons
This is an excellent article about making the decision for In-Home Care.
Habilitation Therapy for Alzheimer’s
The best standard care for Alzheimer’s
SGS Research Summary
This summarizes a survey that asked about the most important issues faced by older adults in the South. GEM’s Angelo and Gail Sonnesso presented at the 2019 Southern Gerontological Society(SGS) 40th anniversary conference in Sandestin, Florida. They are currently working toward partnering to conduct a research project to prove that Adult Day Care is an evidence based program for people living with Dementia.
Beating Apathy in Dementia
Apathy is the most common neuropsychiatric symptom of dementia
“GEM Offers A Little Harmony” – Outer Banks Coastal Life
Rest and Reset: The Power of Respite and How to Access Funds.
View this Zoom event here.
GEM Day Services 