PSGDC’s Innovative Tradition Continues
By Christopher Nadeau, Executive Director

In the Spring of 2008, planning began in earnest for a program shift for Park Slope Geriatric Day Center. Our red vans continued traveling the streets of Brooklyn, providing door-to-door service for our Adult Day Service members while we gradually consolidated our program into the remodeled Fourteenth Street location. In June 2008 our center on Prospect Park West was closed when the lease ended.

We helped members of our physically frail day center find new programs, and we began to focus on what we’ve been doing best—serving people with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia.

PSGDC is still leading the way, with the only program in Brooklyn for people with Early Memory Loss. The Lotus Club has expanded from two days a week to three and has a lively regular attendance. After starting at three days a week, Memory Life services for persons with middle and later stages of dementia is now available five days a week. Inside you can read more about these programs from the perspectives of a member and a caregiver. We hope that you will help spread the word about PSGDC services. The best advertisement is word of mouth!

By now many of you have noticed our new look. We are grateful to PSGDC Board Member Suzanne Isa for the new style, logos, and brochure. In these tough economic times we’ve been lucky to have continued support from some of our elected officials, including a special grant for transportation services from Borough President Marty Markowitz, and one from State Senator James Brennan for the remodeling of the 14th Street location.

Thanks so much for your support during these months of change and renewal. We hear from so many families about how important adult day services are to helping them cope and to maintaining a meaningful life for persons at all stages of dementia. Be assured that PSGDC will continue its innovative programming. Your donations make it possible.

Thank you,
Christopher Nadeau, Executive Director

Photo above: Carmen Mendieta (right) from the staff of the Brookdale National Group Respite Program visited PSGDC’s day program in November 2008. The Lotus Club was written up in the Spring 2008 issue of the “Respite Reporter,” a national newsletter of Brookdale’s Technical Assistance Office based in California, and Carmen returned to prepare another feature on PSGDC’s Early Memory Loss initiative. She is pictured with Lotus Club members and a program intern. Photo by Josephine Brown.

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We are grateful to the volunteers from the
Park Slope Presbyterian Church
for the beautiful mural in our hallway!