Around Town

Alzheimer’s Association Hosting Luminary Walk of Hope in Watertown

By |

The Alzheimer’s Association Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter will host the Luminary Walk for Hope on Dec. 20 from 7-8 p.m. at Victory Field in Watertown. The Alzheimer’s Association sent out the following information:

As we prepare for the Winter Solstice, we invite you to join us for a luminary lighting and walk of hope for the first survivor. Enjoy a musical performance and hot chocolate bar as we honor those living with dementia as well their caregivers, and remember all of those we have lost. This is a FREE outdoor event, all are welcome!

Charity

Three Watertown Groups Get Mini-Grants from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation

By |

The following announcement was provided by the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation:

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation has announced that three Watertown non-profit organizations were awarded a total of $1,500 from the Foundation’s Community Spirit 9/11 Mini-Grant program. The organizations receiving funds are:

Alzheimer Association ($500)Armenian Library and Museum of America ($500)Families First Parenting Program, Inc. ($500)

To commemorate those Harvard Pilgrim members who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, Harvard Pilgrim and the Foundation created the Community Spirit 9/11 Mini-Grant program. This program allows each Harvard Pilgrim employee to award a $500 grant, completely funded by the Foundation, to the local charity of his or her choice each calendar year. Since this community grants program began in 2002, Harvard Pilgrim employees have directed more than $6.5 million to thousands of organizations throughout Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.

Around Town

Alzheimer’s Association Receives Donation from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation

By |

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation announced that the Alzheimer Association in Watertown was awarded $500 from the Foundation’s Community Spirit 9/11 Mini-Grant program. Tonia Gill, an employee of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, nominated the organization for the award. The funds will be used to support the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. To commemorate those Harvard Pilgrim members who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, Harvard Pilgrim and the Foundation created the Community Spirit 9/11 Mini-Grant program. This program allows each Harvard Pilgrim employee to award a $500 grant, completely funded by the Foundation, to the local charity of his or her choice each calendar year.

Around Town

Watertown Woman Biking 62 Miles in the RIDE to End Alzheimer

By |

Ellen O’Connell, of Watertown, will bike 62 miles in the Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter’s RIDE to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, June 24, the Alzheimer’s Association, MA/NH Chapter announced. Starting and finishing at Odiorne State Park in Rye, NH, the RIDE provides a 2-, 30-, 62- and 100-mile route through the towns of coastal New Hampshire and the north shore of Massachusetts. O’Connell joins the RIDE to honor her father who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s over 10 years ago. The youngest of 6 children, Ellen is the captain of the team Pedaling for Parents, “I founded it with one of my dear friends whose mother also suffers from Alzheimer’s. My friend Leigh has been my support system throughout this whole ordeal.

Around Town

Alzheimer’s Association Hosting Introduction to Mindfulness Workshop

By |

The Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter announced it will offer a free Introduction to Mindfulness workshop on Tuesday, January 17 beginning at 6 p.m., at the Alzheimer’s Association Watertown office, 480 Pleasant Street. Led by mindfulness teacher Marlo Pedroso, attendees will learn practical and concrete mindfulness practices and how to respond effectively to stress. Pedroso trained at the Center for Mindfulness at UMass and is a qualified mindfulness based stress reduction instructor. He is a licensed social worker, a certified Iyangar yoga instructor and insight meditation practitioner. The workshop is free and open to the public, but reservations are required.

Around Town

Free Workshop on Health Aging Hosted by Alzheimer’s Association

By |

The Alzheimer’s Association announced it will host a free workshop on healthy aging on Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 4-5:30 p.m., at the Alzheimer Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown. 

Healthier Living for Your Brain and Body, will address research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity, and social engagement to promote a brain-healthy lifestyle. The workshop will provide hands-on tools to help incorporate recommendations into a plan for healthy aging. To register or for more information call 800-272-3900 or visit alz.org/MANH. The Alzheimer’s Association, with headquarters in Watertown, has regional offices in Springfield, Raynham, and Worcester, MA and Bedford, NH. The Alzheimer’s Association provides services and programs for those with Alzheimer’s, family and professional caregivers in the form of support groups, a 24/7 Helpline, care consultation, advocacy efforts, research funding and education programs.

Around Town

Alzheimer’s Association Hosting Workshop on Communication Strategies for Caregivers

By |

The Alzheimer’s Association announced it will be presenting a workshop on communication strategies for dementia caregivers Tuesday, Nov. 15 from 4-6 p.m. at the Alzheimer Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown. The workshop is free and open to the public. Effective Communication Strategies explores how communication takes place when someone has dementia, teaches strategies to decode verbal and behavioral messages and will help caregivers connect and communicate through all stages of the disease. To register or for more information call 800-272-3900 or visit alz.org/MANH. 

The Alzheimer’s Association, with headquarters in Watertown, has regional offices in Springfield, Raynham, and Worcester, Mass., and Bedford, N.H. The Alzheimer Association provides services and programs for those with Alzheimer’s, family and professional caregivers in the form of support groups, a 24/7 Helpline, care consultation, advocacy efforts, research funding and education programs. For more information about Alzheimer programs, visit alz.org/MANH or call 800-272-3900.

Alzheimer's Association

Alzheimer’s Association Hosts Conversation for Caregivers of People with Dementia

By |

The Alzheimer’s Association is offering the program Dementia Conversations, Tuesday, Oct. 18 from 4-6 p.m., at the Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown. The program is free and open to family and friends caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. Dementia Conversations offers tips on how to have honest and caring dialog about some of the most difficult topics when you are caring for someone with memory problems. The program will cover having going to get a diagnosis or medical care, deciding when it is necessary to stop driving and making plans for managing finances and legal documents. To register or for more information call 800-272-3900.