This December, the University of Guam’s Guam/Micronesia Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program is pleased to offer several online workshops for caregivers of persons with dementia.

Guam Medicaid and MIP Program Education Outreach

In the first week of December, Renee Carpela, MPA, from the Department of Public Health and Social Services, Division of Public Welfare, Bureau of Health Care Financing Administration will give two presentations on “Guam Medicaid and MIP Program Education Outreach.” These sessions will be held:

• 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, December 6     

• 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, December 9    

CARES Activities of Daily Living – Module 6: Eating

In the second week of December, participants will have the opportunity to participate in Module 6 of the CARES Activities of Daily Living training and certification program, which teaches caregivers how to help persons with dementia with the fundamental activities of daily living (ADLs) across all stages of dementia. Module 6 focuses on Eating. These sessions will be held.

• 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, December 13     

• 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, December 16    

Family Caregiver Christmas Celebration

In the third week of December, two sessions will provide participants with an opportunity to celebrate Christmas together and to learn about ways to support older adults and persons with dementia during the holiday season. These sessions will be held:

• 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, December 20     

• 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, December 23    

Sharing Caregiver Stories and Finding Support

In the fourth week of December, two sessions will provide participants with an opportunity to share their experiences as family caregivers of persons with dementia and to receive support and guidance from other members of the group. These sessions will be held:

• 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, December 27     

• 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, December 30    

Participants can attend the Wednesday or Saturday sessions using the following Zoom links:

• Wednesday sessions

• Saturday sessions

Ongoing dementia support groups

These sessions are part of the ongoing online support groups for family caregivers of persons with dementia being conducted by the Guam/Micronesia Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program of the UOG School of Health. The support group sessions are held on Zoom on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings year-round. The sessions are free of charge to partners, family members, and other caregivers of persons with dementia who have ties to Guam and the Micronesian region.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Iain Twaddle or Nikolas Gutierrez Guam/Micronesia Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program Telehealth Geriatric Support Services University of Guam Tel: (671) 735-2883 Email: gwep.tgss@triton.uog.edu

Rhoda Orallo Health Services of the Pacific Tel: (671) 735-3277 Email: r.orallo@hspguam.com