Caregiver Support – Council on Aging (COA)

Caregiver Support – Council on Aging (COA) AS A CAREGIVER YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Has your loved one been diagnosed with dementia? Facing problems and need someone to talk to? Not sure what to do next? Community-Care Giving is here to help! It's a free, confidential service for St. Johns County, Florida residents and their families. Community Care-Giving provides tools that promote and empower a positive and successful caregiving experience in an effort to improve the health and well-being of caregivers and their loved ones. The services include assessment of person-centered needs, educational workshops, caregiver support groups, self-care activities, and caregiver and loved one activities and events. For us, Community Care-Giving begins with YOU! Our dedicated professionals will meet with you to help design a care plan that fits the needs of your family. What comes after the diagnosis? Most people who are faced with a diagnosis of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or other forms of memory loss or brain trauma simply don't know where to turn. COA can help you take that all-important next step! Most importantly, please remember that YOU ARE NOT ALONE! We are here to help. To get started, please fill out our confidential COA Caregiver Needs Assessment form. Once you have completed the form, click the Submit button at the bottom. This will provide us with the information needed to be able to meet your specific caregiving needs. (Please note: This assessment does not accept dashes, commas, or periods – even in the phone number. If your response does not go through after pressing the Submit button, please check the corrections needed in red, and try again.) Once your form has been submitted, you will be contacted to schedule an appointment with a COA Certified Dementia Care Practitioner who will set up a time to discuss your situation, develop an individualized education and needs assessment, and support, guide, and empower you to find solutions to those needs. Activities and events held throughout St. Johns County are available to any caregiver in the community. You do not have to face dementia alone – your community is here for you. Get started with Community Care-Giving today! Have questions? Call to speak with a member of our professional Community Care-Giving team. Email - [email protected] Call - (904) 209-3674 Upcoming Caregiver Events in the Community Caregiver Support Group Meetings: COA's Community Care-Giving offers free Caregiver Support Meetings in St. Augustine and Nocatee. Virtual Caregiver Support Groups: COA also offers free Virtual Caregiver Support Groups via Zoom. Please contact (904) 209-3674 or [email protected] for more information. Please note: our phone line is open Monday through Friday 9:30am to 5:00pm for any questions, problems or concerns. Caregivers can leave a message anytime by email or phone. Calls will be answered the next business day. Attention business owners: COA is taking part in a program that helps St. Augustine and St. Johns County become a better-informed Dementia Friendly Community. If your company is interested in hosting a free educational class (approximately 1-2 hours) for your employees on the topic of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, please contact Paulette Kozlowski COA Community Care-giving Manager, at (904) 209-3674 or [email protected] to get started. Meetings are open and all caregivers are encouraged to attend. To sign up, please call COA's Paulette Kozlowski today at (904) 209-3674.