Family Memory Care for African Americans
Office Location: Volunteers of America-Minnesota's 7625 Metro Boulevard, Minneapolis, MN 55439
Service Locations: Services may take place in the caregiver’s home, in the office, or another predetermined location.
Participation: To participate, you must be an African American caregiver (of any age) caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease (additional eligibility requirements are described below).
Fees: The Family Memory Care program is available at no cost to caregivers. This project is supported, in part by a grant, number 90AZ2809/01 from the Administration on Aging, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington D.C. 20201 and the Minnesota Board on Aging, St. Paul, MN 55155. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent offi cial Administration on Aging or Minnesota Board on Aging policy.
Contact: Dorothea Harris, LGSW
Phone: 952-945-4175
Email: dharris@voamn.org
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease at home is challenging in
the best of circumstances and can take a toll on a person’s health.
Support for people caring for an individual with Alzheimer’s disease
helps caregivers remain healthy. The Family Memory Care program is
available to help you care for a family member at home as long as
possible. A Family Memory Care Consultant will help you:
- Understand Alzheimer’s disease and how the disease may progress over time
- Develop strategies for coping with personality and behavior changes
- Learn how to handle challenging situations and solve everyday problems
- Create a support system of family members
- Get connected with additional resources in your community
Services
- Screening and assessment of person caring for an individual living with Alzheimer’s disease
- An individual caregiver session to review results of the
assessment, choose goals and identify family members to participate in
the family sessions
- Four family sessions to share concerns and develop strategies to
support the caregiver, family member with Alzheimer’s disease, as well
as other family members
- An individual caregiver session to discuss progress
- Ongoing support and problem solving assistance is available as needed
- Quarterly contact to review progress and complete additional assessments
Participation
To participate in the Family Memory Care program you need to:
- Be an African American caregiver (of any age) caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease
- Live with the person with Alzheimer’s disease
- Attend seven meetings with a Family Memory Care Consultant over a four month period
- Have a family member in the area that is willing to participate in meetings
- Involve family members in four of the seven meetings
- Consider attending a memory loss support group
- Be open to sharing your experiences in caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease
Your Caregiver Coach
Dorothea Harris, LGSW is a Family Memory Care coach and consultant who
can help answer questions, and provide you with support and resources.
Dorothea’s undying professional commitment to community allows her to
advocate for clients on levels that foster true compassion for those in
need. Her approach insures competent, confident working relationships
that impart a supportive, strong ability for clients to work toward
their goals. Dorothea is a licensed social worker and has worked for
many years with families. She now looks forward to assisting you with
the counseling and support as you provide care giving for your loved
one.