Caregiving for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be overwhelming, lonely, and extremely difficult. The New London Barn Playhouse and Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice are supported in part by a grant from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts to offer FREE monthly events that connect caregivers going through similar situations and help them navigate different circumstances. The sessions combine insights from health care professionals with improvised scenarios where actors navigate common caregiving situations onstage. The series aims to help caregivers develop new communication skills, strategies to cope with stress, flexibility in relationships, and an understanding of loved ones’ changing perspectives. Attendees are welcome to participate in discussions and scenarios, or they may remain an observer.
OCTOBER
Improvised scenarios with a guest speaker: Miranda Albano, Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist
Tuesday, Oct. 17, 1:30–3:00pm
Location: Barn Playhouse Fleming Center
NOVEMBER
Support group in partnership with the Council on Aging. Conversation led by caregiver Marcia Goulart
Wednesday, Nov. 8, 1:00–2:30pm
Location: Barn Playhouse Fleming Center
DECEMBER
Improvised scenarios with a guest speaker: Melissa Grenier, Alzheimer’s Association NH Regional Manager
Tuesday, Dec. 5, 10:00–11:30am
Location: Barn Playhouse Fleming Center
JANUARY @ CLAREMONT
Improvised scenarios and caregiving strategies brought to Claremont
Saturday, Jan. 20, 11:00am–12:30pm
Location: First Congregational church of Claremont
FEBRUARY
Improvised scenarios with a guest speaker: Alyssa Lemmermann from Nutrition Connections
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 1:00–2:30pm
Location: Barn Playhouse Fleming Center
MARCH
Lunch for caregivers AND their loved ones with activities like sing-a-longs, painting, and Bingo
Saturday, Mar. 16, 11:30am–1:00pm
Location: Barn Playhouse Fleming Center
APRIL @ NEWPORT
Improvised scenarios with guest speakers: Annie Finn-Waddell and Diane Way, Summercrest Memory Care
Wednesday, Apr. 10, 10:00–11:30am
Location: Newport Senior Center
MAY
Wrap up session with improvised scenarios, caregiver strategies, reflection, and discussion
Wednesday, May 8, 3:00–4:30pm
Location: Barn Playhouse Fleming Center