- Promote the general well-being of people with Alzheimer’s Disease and their families;
- Reinforce family members and caregivers with emotional and practical support services;
- Advocate to make quality services available and affordable;
- Share useful information through community education from caregivers and professionals.
ASN events and services provide opportunities for respite and appreciation for caregivers, as well as ways to learn, volunteer and support one another. The Alzheimer’s Support Network of South Central Massachusetts also works in partnership with health care organizations, hospitals and professionals to offer early diagnosis, care and resources.
Alzheimer’s Support Services in Massachusetts
(South Central MA and Northern CT):
Resource Identification Assistance
Connecting You with What You Need
All caregivers eventually need the assistance of others to access resources and services. Through a variety of helpful services, the Alzheimer’s Support Network of South Central Massachusetts strives to support every caregiver’s efforts to meet their loved one’s needs.
The Alzheimer’s Support Network’s Resource Identification Assistance Program is an information and referral process, provided in collaboration with Tri-Valley, Inc. The program can give family caregivers information on community programs and their eligibility requirements, types of services, and caregiver planning. This is a free service.
Often, caregivers can gain understanding of ways to cope with the caregiver role and responsibilities. Information packets for new caregivers are available. In addition, caregivers who are members of ASN may access respite assistance programs available through ASN.
The toll-free contact number is 1-800-286-6640, Extension 3123.
Caregiver Support Groups
Why go it alone?
The Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group meetings are important to family caregivers not only as a place to obtain information about Alzheimer’s Disease, but also to learn many helpful techniques in caring for a person with dementia. New caregivers are able to learn from experienced caregivers and support group leaders.
Respect for the role of the caregiver is understood in the groups. You will find others who will not only listen to you, but will also understand what you are experiencing. Ample discussion time is made available for questions about caregiving and for supportive sharing of your caregiver experience.
Support Group meetings generally last 1-2 hours minutes and include educational materials.
Meetings are monthly, open to any family or friend of a person with memory loss, whether it is Alzheimer’s disease or a related primary progressive dementia.
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Groups Meet
In Douglas MA
6 to 8:00 p.m., second Monday of each month
St. Denis Church
23 Manchaug Street, Douglas MA
Respite Assistance
Need a Break?
Family caregivers with primary responsibility for the direct care of a person with Alzheimer’s dementia will find themselves needing a break, or “respite care” services. The Alzheimer’s Support Network has been a pioneer in the delivery of structured respite care, even providing financial assistance for families dealing with Alzheimer’s disease.
Structured respite improves the general health of the caregiver and the quality of the caregiving relationship. ASN provides its member families a number of respite-care options. These include:
• Support group respite: Attendants provide care while a caregiver attends ASN-sponsored support group meetings. ASN provides limited financial assistance to cover the cost of the respite staff.
• Community respite: ASN has provided contracted adult day health respite services since 1989. Respite services are offered by arrangement with Accord Adult Day Center of Webster. ASN member families may request a nursing evaluation to determine eligibility for adult day health services. If medically authorized, member families can then receive financial assistance for respite each month. Once eligibility is approved, the start date for respite is the next calendar month. Scheduling for a respite day is to be made with Accord Center staff.
Determination of respite eligibility is done annually. Member families are also contacted to complete a client satisfaction survey each year to assist ASN in its evaluation of the program services. More information is available on our Respite Care page.
Speakers Bureau
Requests for a speaker can be made by contacting ASN’s Resource Identification Assistance number at 508-949-6640, extension 3123 or contact us at [email protected].
