Sagepoint Senior Services Foundation Gears Up for Our 2021 Golf Tournament

Sagepoint Foundation Co-Chairs Evie Hungerford and Sally Jameson

Sagepoint Senior Services Foundation Gears Up for Our 2021 Golf Tournament

Sagepoint Foundation Co-Chairs Evie Hungerford and Sally Jameson

Foundation co-chairs Evie Hungerford and Sally Jameson invite you to join the fun during our 2021 Golf Tournament

Last year’s Inaugural Golf Tournament was a rousing success so we have decided to continue the fun for a second year! This year the golf tournament will take place on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at Swan Point Yacht & Country Club. This is the perfect opportunity to connect with community leaders and make a difference for senior care in Southern Maryland.

Sagepoint is a nonprofit organization caring for seniors and people with disabilities in southern Maryland for nearly 50 years. Your support of the tournament allows us to continue providing vital programs and services for those who need it most. 

Sponsorship opportunities have been selling quickly. With different levels available, sponsors make the tournament possible with their contributions and enjoy benefits such as logos on tournament signage and presence on digital and social media. 

The Golf Tournament will include a full day of golfing with a captain’s choice scramble format, putting contests and an exclusive raffle for an opportunity to golf at Pinehurst No. 2. Registration for the main event has already sold out, with a waitlist on standby for any last-minute openings.

Luckily opportunities are still available for the Sip and Swing event. If you are new to golf or never golfed before, this is for you! From drinking wine to practicing yoga with just a little bit of beginner golf, you’re sure to have a fun and relaxed day on the course.

Register online today — the Sip and Swing package is listed under “Add-Ons/Extras” on our online registration site. Click here to learn more.

Assisted Living vs. Home Care: Which Option Is Right for You?

Granddaughter helping her disabled grandmother walk with the aid of a walker.



If you have an elderly loved one who is losing their ability to safely live independently, then you’re no doubt researching senior care options. Two common options for senior care include assisted living and home care. Keep reading to get an overview of both Assisted Living and Home Care and a guide for choosing the route that is right for you and your loved one.

Assisted Living

Assisted living communities provide personal care support services such as meals, medication management, transportation, and assistance with the activities of daily living such as dressing and bathing. This option is ideal for seniors who need daily assistance but still want to maintain as much of their independence as possible. In addition to receiving around-the-clock personal care, seniors often also have the opportunity to participate in recreational activities like book clubs, social outings, gardening and more.

The Pros of Assisted Living

  • The opportunity for social engagement
  • Adapts to changing needs
  • Home-like environment
  • Reduces worry about upkeep and maintenance of home
  • Onsite amenities, such as salon services, visiting physicians, and gardens
  • Various levels of assistance available

The Cons of Assisted Living

  • Less privacy and independence than living at home
  • You may need to transition to a nursing home if your condition deteriorates beyond what is appropriate for assisted living (Senior care communities offering both assisted living and long term care services may be ideal)
  • Assisted living is not the most expensive option, but neither is it the least expensive

Home Care

Many seniors wish to remain in their home for as long as possible, and if only minor assistance is needed, home care is a wonderful option. Home care offers care plans that can be customized to fit the needs of your family and your loved one. Companion care services may consist of ensuring basic safety, light housekeeping, laundry, appointment escort, and more. Personal care services, performed by a CNA, may consist of feeding assistance, medication management, bathing/showering, hair/skin/oral care, toileting assistance, and more.

The Pros of Home Care

  • The ability to age in place
  • The preservation of privacy and freedom
  • If a form of dementia should develop, the familiar surroundings may provide comfort
  • Care is administered by a professional caregiver
  • It may be less costly than other options

The Cons of Home Care

  • The home may not be equipped for changes in mobility and physical abilities
  • You may be at a disadvantage in the case of a medical emergency

Making the Right Choice

When choosing the best option for your loved one, consider these questions:

  • Does your loved one wish to remain at home?
  • Is the home a safe environment, or can changes be made to make it safer?
  • Would they benefit from assistance with medication management?
  • Do they wish to continue preparing their own meals, or would they benefit from meal preparation services?
  • Are they socially isolated?
  • Would they benefit from being part of an active community?
  • Are there any family members that can move in with them, or who they could move in with?
  • Are they in need of around-the-clock care, and is there anyone who can provide the level of care that they need?
  • Are there financial limitations to consider?

By including your senior loved one in the decision-making process and taking their needs and preferences into consideration, you can ensure that you reach a decision that suits every family member.

Do you need additional assistance in choosing the senior care option that is best for your situation? Our Sagepoint Advisors can provide guidance for every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about Sagepoint Home Care and Sagepoint Gardens, and let us assist you in choosing the option that right for you.

 

 

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Coping with Dementia

Coping with Dementia



Helping a loved one cope with dementia is a challenging experience. During this season of sadness, anger and confusion, you may notice a variety of unexpected behaviors, such as depression, hallucinations and even aggression.

Continue reading to learn more about helping your loved one cope with some of the feelings and behaviors that may accompany Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Anger and Aggression

Aggressive behaviors, whether they are verbal or physical, may occur without warning. Unnerving though it may be, it’s important to remember that the person who is acting aggressively is not doing so to be hurtful; they’re simply trying to navigate a frustrating and scary situation. Aggression can be caused by a variety of factors, such as pain or discomfort, overstimulation, tiredness and fear. As dementia progresses and your loved one loses cognitive function, they also lose the ability to identify and verbalize the root of their frustration or discomfort. As a result, they may express themselves through aggressive behaviors.

While it may not be possible to completely eliminate anger and aggression, there are a variety of ways you can help to minimize your loved one’s frustration. Begin by trying to identify the source of stress. Did something happen immediately before the behavior that may have triggered the response? Is he or she in pain? If there is no obvious cause for the reaction, survey their surroundings to ensure that they are not overstimulated. If possible, shift the focus to another activity, such as music, exercise or a massage. Most importantly, remember to not get upset; keep a positive and reassuring attitude and speak with a soft, soothing tone.

Depression

Depression is one of the most common issues faced by people with dementia, especially during the early stages. However, identifying depression in someone with dementia can be difficult, as the symptoms differ from those present in someone without dementia. Generally speaking, the symptoms may be less severe and may come and go. The most common symptoms of depression include sleep problems, social withdrawal, irritability and a loss of appetite.

If you suspect that your loved one is dealing with depression, it’s important to let their doctor know. Depression can be successfully treated through a combination of medication and therapy. In addition to ensuring that your loved one gets the professional help they need, you can participate in their care by helping them develop a daily schedule that incorporates activities that they enjoy, encouraging regular exercise and providing a listening ear and an encouraging outlook. While it may take time, ensuring that your loved one receives the appropriate treatment for their depression can improve their quality of life considerably.

Hallucinations

When someone with dementia hallucinates, they may see, smell, taste or hear something that isn’t there. Some hallucinations can be very upsetting, while others may occur without the sufferer even realizing that they are experiencing something that isn’t happening. Hallucinations are a byproduct of the changes that are happening in the brain and are generally more common in those who are in the later stages of dementia.

When determining how to handle hallucinations, assess the situation. Are the hallucinations causing distress for the person experiencing them, or are they likely to cause a dangerous reaction? If not, then it’s best to not intervene. However, if they are upsetting, respond with a calm and supportive manner. If possible, try to turn the focus to something like music or a favorite activity.

The behaviors that accompany dementia can be difficult to handle, but fortunately, there is help. Sagepoint Memory Care utilizes a state-of-the-art approach to promote the best quality of life possible. To find out more about our community or to speak with a Sagepoint Advisor, contact us today.

 

 

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August 4: National Night Out

Please join us for National Night Out, a free Community-Police Awareness Event held the first Tuesday in August all over the country. This will be our 3rd Year Participating!

When: Tuesday, August 4th from 6:30- 8:00 pm

Events Planned:

*Ice Cream Social
*Coloring Contest for the kids
*Corn Hole
*K-9 Demonstration
*Visits from Police, Fire, EMS, and Elected Officials

Location: Front Lawn at Sagepoint Gardens 121 Morris Drive, La Plata, MD 20646 (behind La Plata Walmart)

*Bring your lawn chair

Questions? Please contact Wendy Latimer at 1woozle74@gmail.com.