Crystal Wright-Partyka is the caregiver and senior outreach coordinator for the Huntington Council on Aging.
Reminder Publishing photo by Amy Porter
HUNTINGTON — The Huntington Council on Aging is sponsoring a series of professional workshops called “Let’s Learn about Dementia” presented by Laura Lavoie of Our Dementia Life.
The workshops, which are free and open to anyone who lives in Western Massachusetts, take place Monday mornings, Sept. 9, 16, 23 and 30, in Stanton Hall, 26 Russell Rd., at the intersection of routes 20 and 112 in Huntington. Advance registration is not required.
Lavoie has been working with people living with dementia for 25 years, after having lived the experience when her mother took care of her grandfather at home with no training or support. She said her passion and mission in life is to help those living with dementia both on the inside and on the outside; helping them to understand the disease and live productive and loving lives, while still working with the real difficulties and challenges that come with the disease.
The workshops are for caregivers, people who work with the elderly, loved ones with early dementia and for people who want to learn more about the disease, says Crystal Wright-Partyka, caregiver and senior outreach coordinator for the Huntington Council on Aging. She said loved ones with dementia are always welcome at all Council on Aging programs.
Wright-Partyka also runs the Huntington Memory Cafe for caregivers and loved ones with dementia every Wednesday from 2 to 3 p.m. at Stanton Hall. She said this series of free professional workshops was a recent opportunity made possible through a grant from the Highland Valley Elder Services under the federal Older Americans Act, which also funds the Memory Cafe.
Each workshop in the series begins at 10 a.m. in Stanton Hall. The first session on Sept. 9 is entitled “Living with the 5 Senses.”
On Sept. 16, Lavoie will talk about the “GEMS” model, developed by dementia care specialist Teepa Snow. This model is based on the cognitive scale, and focuses on what is retained for people living with dementia instead of only focusing on what is lost.
Other sessions include Sept. 23, “Normal vs. Not Normal”; and Sept. 30, “The Effects of Special Isolation on People Living with Dementia.”
For more information about the learning about dementia workshop series, the Memory Cafe or other upcoming Council on Aging programs, call Wright-Partyka at 413-685-5283. For more information about Lavoie, visit ourdementialife.org.
More senior events
Other upcoming Council on Aging programs include the Grandparents’ Day Celebration 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, on the Town Common, 24-26 Russell Rd. Adults and children of any community are welcome to join the Huntington Council on Aging for this free event, featuring a bounce house, craft projects, ice cream and snacks. The rain date is Sept. 8.
On Sept. 11, the Hilltown Memory Cafe will feature Charlie Lask’s Neil Diamond tribute at 2 p.m. in Stanton Hall. Wright-Partyka said Charlie Lask shows sell out in Springfield.
The Huntington Health Fair, sponsored by the Huntington Council on Aging, is on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Stanton Hall. Featured will be flu vaccinations by Stop & Shop, My Perfect Balance massages ($5 for 10 minutes), and free prize drawings.
Representatives from Baystate Hospice, Central Hampshire Veterans Services, Commonwealth Care Alliance, Cooley Dickinson VNA and Hospice, Highland Valley Elder Services, Hilltown Community Ambulance Association, Hilltown Easy Ride, Hilltown Food Pantry, the regional public health nurse and Southern Hilltowns Adult Education Center will be present.
