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Local Voices

Support for Caregivers in Orange County

Dana Point, Calif. – Every third Thursday at 11:00 a.m., The Fountains at Sea Bluffs hosts a support group for families of those living with memory loss. Most of the families in attendance have loved ones living in The Gardens, The Fountains’ memory care program, but it is also open to guests.  The support group is facilitated by Andrea Furch, Director of The Gardens. Family members discuss changes in their loved ones and challenges they are facing.

The next support group meets May 15th.  For more information, call Andrea Furch at 949-234-3019.

In March, Furch took members of her support group to Irvine for a workshop by the Alzheimer’s Association called “Compassionate Communication and Persons with Memory Loss, the do’s and don’ts of effective communication for loved ones.”

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Furch said, “Everyone took away something valuable from the workshop. We’re planning to offer future workshops in conjunction with the Alzheimer’s Association right here in Dana Point.”

Coming to The Fountains at Sea Bluffs this summer will be a seven-week program called “The Savvy Caregiver  - A Successful Family Caregiver Series,” designed to help educate those caring for a loved one at home.  

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Furch said The Fountains at Sea Bluffs also has other projects underway to help educate the public about memory loss including an educational resource center and a film series.

Progressive, irreversible forms of memory loss are a growing concern in Orange County as the average age rises. While some memory loss is considered normal with age, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other conditions commonly associated with aging cause abnormal memory loss.

“Caring for a loved one experiencing memory loss can be a long journey and a difficult one at times, but it can also be richly rewarding for a caregiver given the right support,” Furch said. “We want people to know that we are here to help.”

For more information, call Andrea Furch at 949-234-3019.

About The Fountains at Sea Bluffs

Located just blocks above Doheny State Beach and Dana Point Harbor, The Fountains at Sea Bluffs is a service-supported, luxury enclave of age-restricted condominiums, with adjacent rental assisted living and memory care. Homeowners enjoy maintenance-free living, onsite dining, housekeeping, transportation and more. The Fountains at Sea Bluffs is proudly managed by Watermark Retirement Communities, a company committed to creating extraordinary communities where people thrive. For more information, visit www.watermarkcommunities.com.

About The Gardens Memory Care Program

The Gardens is the distinct neighborhood of The Fountains at Sea Bluffs designed to help those living with memory loss thrive. With a capacity for 19 residents, it has been open for 13 years and operates at full capacity. Residents of The Gardens enjoy private accommodations inside a beautiful residence, along with delicious meals, assisted living services and secured access to amenities both indoors and out. A team of caregivers, many of whom are Certified Dementia Practitioners, keeps residents engaged in activities that stimulate the mind and strengthen the spirit, such as exercising, baking, gardening, crafts, music and art. Escorted outings fuel residents’ love of adventure. While family members are welcome at all times, trained associates are also on hand 24 hours a day to attend to all aspects of residents’ health and wellbeing.

 

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