During November, which is National Family Caregivers Month and National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, the Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter will hold a free five-day virtual wellness retreat for people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia and their family caregivers from Nov. 16-20.
The retreat will include an assortment of fun and relaxing activities from 10 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. each day with a half-hour break for lunch. On Nov. 18, events will be presented in Spanish.
The Hudson Valley Chapter normally holds its annual Wellness Retreats in person in four counties throughout its seven-county region, but this year, due to COVID-19, they have been consolidated into a week of virtual events.
“We’re excited to offer our Wellness Retreat virtually this year,” said event planner Eva Roszkowski, who is community engagement manager and Young Professionals Alzheimer’s Council advisor for the Hudson Valley Chapter. “All caregivers and their loved ones with dementia are welcome to join us online for our five-day retreat, which will include music workshops, art, a cooking demonstration, tai chi, guided meditation and more. Please call 800.272.3900 to sign up today and receive the full schedule of events. We look forward to seeing you then.”
Chapter Executive Director David Sobel said that the virtual event has the potential to reach a wider audience than ever before.“We are so pleased to have such a great group of presenters for this year’s retreat, and we are hoping that because it’s virtual, we will be able to reach even more caregivers and people with dementia than usual. We also hope the event will help alleviate some of the stress and isolation that COVID-19 has caused for people living with Alzheimer’s and all other dementia,” he said.
Details about the event and a link to online registration are available at-
https://www.alz.org/hudsonvalley/helping_you/wellness_retreats.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter is offering its programs and services online and by phone. These include care consultations, where families affected by dementia can speak with a licensed social worker about helpful community resources as well as support groups where caregivers, family members and people in the early stage of the disease can share their experiences with others who understand.
The chapter also offers free educational and social webinars for the general public and families living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. For specific dates and times when support groups, educational and social webinars are offered, visit alz.org/hudsonvalley or call the 24/7 hotline 800.272.3900 to register. Pre-recorded online educational programs are also available.