ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON (dba Dementia Support Northwest)
You Are NOT Alone
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Staying Connected
This is a weekly program for people with early memory loss concerns. The program offers a safe and comfortable environment for participants to receive cognitive, physical, and social interaction with others.
The Staying Connected “classes” provide physical activities, educational programs and intellectual stimulation. Our weekly three-hour groups consist of an exercise program to promote strength and a sense of well-being, a brown bag lunch that fosters a social setting to build peer relationships, and a social group session that focuses on discussions tailored to specific interests and supportive interaction. Strong bonds form among those who attend.
We are also excited to offer two subset groups of Staying Connected: Round Table and Tuesday Talks. The Round Table group focuses more on the cognitive aspects of Staying Connected program and offers participants the chance to engage in deep, meaningful conversations. Tuesday Talks focuses more on the social interaction aspects of Staying Connected and offers participants the change to engage in lighthearted conversation and laughter.
Not only will the individual experiencing early memory loss benefit in many ways from these support groups, but it is also great for the caregiver since the class provides a safe and educational environment for their loved ones to attend each week.
Caregiver Support Group
This support group will provide you as the caregiver or loved one, the opportunity to talk to other individuals who are facing some of the same problems that they are. It is helpful to talk to sympathetic people about the frustrations you are experiencing. Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss problems create many specific problems for families in their daily lives. Simply getting to know other people with similar concerns is a comfort to many.
A support group is a safe place to bring up issues that might be hard to talk about at home. The caregiver can raise their specific concerns in a support group, where objectivity of others can help the caregiver think through the situation.
This support group will also be an excellent place to learn about memory loss, dementia and the Alzheimer Disease, legal issues, community resources available to you and your family and better help you plan for the future. The members of the group welcome all caregivers and willingly share their ideas and experiences.
Care Partner Support Group
This is a two component support group, one part is for the caregiver and the other is for the person experiencing early stage memory loss:
MEMORY SUPPORT GROUP
Education is empowerment! This therapeutic peer support group is professionally facilitated and may include discussions about the impact of the diagnosis on you and your family, coping with changing abilities, improving communication skills, finding meaningful activity, and planning for the future. You will have access to information regarding treatment and available community resources. Participants must have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia related illness, and must be able to participate and feel comfortable in a group setting. Please call in advance to discuss in-private your appropriate placement into this group.
GROUP SESSIONS WILL PROVIDE…
Information and Education
Coping Strategies
Discussion and Problem Solving
Emotional Support
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
At the same time and location, ASW is also offering an additional support group in Bellingham for the care partners of those who are affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.
Memory Screenings
Memory screenings make sense for anyone concerned about memory loss or experiencing warning signs of dementia; whose family and friends have noticed changes in them; or who believe they are at risk due to a family history of Alzheimer’s disease or a related illness.
Screenings are also appropriate for anyone who does not have a concern right now, but who wants to see how their memory is now and for future comparisons.
We hold memory screenings on the third Tuesday of each month.
Please note: A memory screening is not used to diagnose any particular illness and does not replace consultation with a qualified physician or other healthcare professional.
Project Lifesaver
Project Lifesaver (PLS) is a national corporation headquartered in Virginia. It produces radio-frequency transmitters and receivers to enable tracking of people suffering from various brain ailments including Alzheimer’s disease, autism, Down’s syndrome, and traumatic brain injuries.
In 2007, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s office, in conjunction with the Alzheimer Society of Washington (ASW), adopted PLS to aid in the search and rescue of missing Alzheimer’s patients.
Project Lifesaver is for anyone who might have a tendency to wander, but who might not have the ability to find their way home again. Many cognitive impairments may lead to wandering, including dementia.
H.E.A.D. Talk
HEAD Talks (Health Education About Dementia) are quarterly seminars beneficial to anyone interested in dementia or caring for someone experiencing dementia. By offering practical and timely discussions about real issues, HEAD Talks aim to educate and support those in our local community affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias. These talks are free and open to the public.
Where we work
External reviews
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON (dba Dementia Support Northwest)
Board of directorsas of 07/06/2023
George Ratayczak
Whatcom County Sheriff's Department
Beverly Brownrigg
Retired/Grocier
Caroyln Lenington
Retired/Senior Support Services
Rosalee Ronquillo
Silverado Memory Care
Becky Bendixen
Northwest Regional Council
Anne Bowen
Edward Jones Investments
Amy Charlot
Northwest Regional Council
Sherri Cope
Signature Home Health
Jack Harrison
Lynden Manor
Glenda McLachlin
Retired/Registered Nurse
Barry Meyers
Elder Law Offices of Barry M. Meyers
Josselyn Winslow
Founding Member
JoAnne Wyatt
Windermere Real Estate
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? No -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No