News from the Council on Aging

SAINT JOHNS COUNTY –  If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia – this course will provide you with a great deal of beneficial knowledge. Caregiving can be an isolating experience.  Learning about the special care needs involved with this specialized care helps make the caregiver feel more confident and empowers them to give the best care to their loved one as possible as well as to themselves.

Attending classes allows the caregiver to talk to experts in the field as well as provide the opportunity to socialize with others facing similar experiences. Classes are ongoing, free and are held one Tuesday afternoon a month at two locations: 180 Marine St., St. Augustine, and 1048 A1A North, Ponte Vedra Beach.

The next class in St. Augustine is Sept..5 from 2:30 – 4 p.m. at 180 Marine St.  The topic covers Legal Issues with Guest Speaker Megan Wall, Legal Aid Attorney.

TPonte Vedra September Class (usually held at the Ponte Vedra Memory Care Center) , has been changed to meet at the Players Community Senior Center 175 Landrum Lane, Ponte Vedra Beach on Thursday Sept. 21, at 11 a.m..  This lecture is also given by Megan Wall, Legal Aid Attorney.  Topic includes: “Spouse in Nursing Home – Do you have to go broke

Also, Caregiver Support Groups meet the 2nd and 4^th Tuesday of the month at the COA Coastal Community Center 180 Marine St. in St. Augustine, and in Ponte Vedra: every Monday, at 12noon in the Ponte Vedra Memory Care Center, 1048 A1A North, Ponte Vedra Beach. Caregiving does not need to be a lonely experience. For more details, call Paulette Kozlowski RN at the COA at: 904-209-3690 or email her at: pkozlowski@stjohnscoa.com

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

In St. Augustine:

Ur gent need for male volunteer Thursdays to assist Facilitators in Integrative Memory Enhancement program from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Location of program is Riverview Community Center in the shores neighborhood. Must be able to push wheelchair clients. Call (904) 209-3686 or email aleach@stjohnscoa.com

Volunteers needed for our Care Connection Minor Home Repair program. Hours are flexible. Call (904) 209-3686 or email aleach@stjohnscoa.com

Volunteers needed to call Bingo games Tuesday and/or Thursday from 9 – 11 a.m. Call (904) 209-3686 or email aleach@stjohnscoa.com

Volunteers needed Thursday mornings from 8:15 – 11:30 to help with basic lawn care for seniors in need. Duties include moving, raking, clipping and edging. Call (904) 209-3686 or email aleach@stjohnscoa.com

Volunteers needed in Sunshine Center Adult Day Care to assist with simple art and craft activities on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays 1:15 – 2:15 p.m. Call (904) 209-3686 or email aleach@stjohnscoa.com

In Ponte Vedra Beach at THE PLAYERS Community Senior Center, 175 Landrum Lane:

Volunteers needed for Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for clean-up, activity check-in and reception. Make new friends while joining us in a wide variety of both fun and informative social activities. Call (904) 209-3686 or email aleach@stjohnscoa.com

Volunteer needed to teach line dancing classes. Day and time would be based on the volunteer’s preference and room availability. Call (904) 209-3686.

Other Needs:

Volunteer driver needed 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, or Friday to deliver food from COA downtown to Hastings Senior Center. Company vehicle available if desired.  Call (904) 209-3686 or email aleach@stjohnscoa.com

Volunteers needed Mondays and/or Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to assist with senior center activities, such as set up for breakfast and lunch, craft projects, games, etc. Call (904) 209-3686 or email aleach@stjohnscoa.com

Volunteer driver needed to pick up bread from local grocery store and deliver to Trout Creek Senior Center twice a week. Call (904) 209-3686 or email aleach@stjohnscoa.com