A Social Worker in LW-Memory Support Team

by Toni Shapiro,

licensed clinical social worker

For many years, I worked in the hospital setting as a clinical social worker. I bore witness to patients who experienced hardship and suffering. At times, older patients received treatments that provided no relief, only more complications.

There was little time for discussions about goals of care. I made the decision that I wanted to work with older adults in their home, where we could have important conversations about their health, their quality of life and what matters most to them without the frantic pace of the hospital setting.

In my current role at Alzheimer’s Orange County, I am spearheading a new grantfunded program called the Memory Support Team that is currently being implemented in your Leisure World community. This grant is funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to provide these services. The Alzheimer’s Disease Program Initiative aims to increase the dementia capabilities of communities.

With the support of local residents who have been hired and trained in dementia care— Care Team Navigators—we are meeting with shareholders who are concerned about memory loss or other forms of cognitive decline and its impact on aging in place in Leisure World.

We want to talk with residents who live alone, those who are married or widowed, residents who have partners— whatever your family looks like—about what it means to get older in today’s world. I want to know what it’s like for you to navigate health care, especially memory concerns.

And we want you to know that it’s okay to ask for help. We all need a little support from time to time.

Our Memory Support Team offers guidance and options counseling on important matters such as home safety, medication management, advanced care planning and caregiver support at no cost.

Options counseling means you decide what we talk about, and then we review your options with you. It’s a wonderful service that is centered and focused on you and your specific needs concerning your cognitive health. I invite the community to spread the word about the Memory Support Team and if you or someone you know could benefit, please give me a call at 949-757-3753.

Editor’s note: Residents may also call GRF Member Resources Liaison Robann Arshat at 562431-6586, ext. 317, for more information about this program and other social service resources in Leisure World.