VPAS offers a wide variety of programs, workshops, support groups and activities for family caregivers.
Share experiences, tips, problem solve together, gain insight and connect with others in similar situations.
In addition, there is a national movement underway to ensure that people living with dementia have the resources and support they need to live independently and well for as long as possible. VPAS offers many educational opportunities regarding dementia, not only for those that care for them but also for the person living with dementia.
We also offer activities for persons with dementia and those that care for them and you can check out a Dementia Care Kit from your local VPAS office.
Click on the links below for more information about events we are hosting!
ONGOING EVENTS
A support group offered by VPAS is a safe place to:
- Develop a support system
- Exchange practical information on challenges and possible solutions
- Talk through issues and ways of coping
- Share feelings, needs, and concerns
- Talk about community resources
Join us!
Date: Beginning February 18, 2025, ongoing, on the 3rd Tuesday of the month
Time: 2:00-3:00pm
Location: Aviva Baldwin Park, 21 Woodlee Road, Staunton, VA
Register below and for more information, please call 540.383.7006
A group for processing anticipatory grief and losses associated with caregiving along with the space for expressing difficult emotions. A group more focused on sharing rather than tips or problem solving. A safe space for grieving and to encourage the safe expression of all natural grief reactions.
*This is a virtual meeting and the link to participate will be shared upon registration.
Dates: Ongoing- every third Thursday of the month, from 10:30-11:30am
Register below or call 540.383.7006 for more information.
It can be difficult attending a support group in person if you are unable to leave your care partner alone at home. Here is a virtual solution.
A support group offered by VPAS is a safe place to:
- Develop a support system
- Exchange practical information on challenges and possible solutions
- Talk through issues and ways of coping
- Share feelings, needs, and concerns
- Talk about community resources
Join us!
Mondays at 3:00 p.m. with Joyce Nussbaum, VPAS Program Director
Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. with Heather Lawrence, VPAS Caregiver Support Coordinator. Register below or call 540.615.5341.
Prefer to meet with folks face to face? Here is an option for an in-person monthly support group, providing interaction with other caregivers, resources, tips, ideas, and a safe outlet for sharing of feelings.
Ongoing every 4th Tuesday of the month from 3:00-4:00pm
Location: Sunnyside Retirement Community, 3935 Sunnyside Drive, Harrisonburg, VA
Register below or call 540.615.5341 for more information.
A support group offered by the Alzheimer's Association in partnership with VPAS at two locations.
Here is a safe place to:
- develop a support system
- exchange practical information on challenges and possible solutions
- talk through issues and ways of coping
- share feelings, needs, and concerns
- talk about community resources
Second Thursday of the month at 1:00pm at Summit Square, 501 Oak Avenue, Waynesboro.
Register here or call 540.615.5341 for more information.
A support group offered by the Alzheimer's Association in partnership with VPAS at two locations.
Here is a safe place to:
- develop a support system
- exchange practical information on challenges and possible solutions
- talk through issues and ways of coping
- share feelings, needs, and concerns
- talk about community resources
First Friday of the month at 10:30am at Community Mennonite Church, 70 S. High St., Harrisonburg, VA
Register here or call 540.615.5341 for more information.
A safe space for caregivers and people living with dementia to attend together. There will be social time with other care partners, optional games, activities and refreshments, and Tai Chi for Memory exercise. For more information or to let us know you're coming, call 540.615.5341.
First Thursday of the month, 10-11:30 a.m. - Massanutten Regional Library, Central Library, 174 S. Main St., Harrisonburg - Register here
*No meeting on January 2 or July 3, 2025
A safe space for caregivers and people living with dementia to attend together. This ongoing group will provide social time with other care partners, optional games, activities and refreshments, and Tai Chi for Memory exercise. For more information or to let us know you're coming, please register below or call 540.615.5341.
Date: Second Thursday of the month, through the end of November 2024.
Time: 10:00 -11:30 a.m.
Location: Waynesboro Public Library, 600 S. Wayne Ave., Waynesboro
*Memory Partners will take a break for the winter months of December, January and February. Join us again in March 2025 in a new location, the Waynesboro VPAS office.
A support group offered by VPAS is a safe place to:
- Develop a support system
- Exchange practical information on challenges and possible solutions
- Talk through issues and ways of coping
- Share feelings, needs, and concerns
- Talk about community resources
Join us!
Session Dates: June 17, July 15, August 26, September 16, October 7, October 28, November 18, December 9, December 30
Time: 3:00-4:30pm
Location: Bridgewater Retirement Community- Blue Ridge Room, 210 Virginia Avenue in Bridgewater
*In 2025 the group will meet the third Monday of each month, January - August from 3:00 - 4:00pm in the Blue Ridge Room
Register below or call 540.615.5341 for more information
LIMITED SERIES GROUPS
Opening Minds Through Art (OMA) is an abstract arts program designed for those living with dementia and other cognitive concerns. Each artist is paired with a trained community volunteer to help guide them through the abstract art project. Autonomy and fun are accentuated! Caregivers will meet down the hall during this time for sessions on the following topics:
- Coping skills for caregivers (we will talk about practicing self-care.)
- Managing emotions and dealing with feelings. And anticipatory grief.
- Communication.
- Planning for the future.
It is helpful for participants in both the workshops and OMA commit to all 4 sessions. Can you join us?
Dates: Mondays, March 10, 17, 31 and April 7, 2025
Time: 1:30 - 2:30pm
Location: Maury River Senior Services, 2137 Magnolia Avenue, Buena Vista, VA
Register below or call 540.471.5633 for more information.
*Immediate Need: Volunteers are needed for these sessions. Volunteers are fully guided by the OMA facilitator throughout each art project, and all levels of artistic ability are welcomed. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, have an interest in art, and be comfortable working with older adults living with dementia or other cognitive concerns. Once a volunteer is trained, they may be chosen for future OMA sessions without more training. There are two upcoming volunteer trainings: March 3, 2025 in Buena Vista and March 26, 2025 in Harrisonburg, each from 1:00 - 3:00pm. Please join us! Contact Kathy Guisewite for more information or call 540.615.5341. Click here to get more information about OMA. Click here to sign up as a Volunteer.
Opening Minds through Art (OMA) is an internationally recognized arts program designed for those living with dementia and other cognitive concerns. It invites volunteers to pair up with these persons (the artists) and guide them through a process of creating various abstract art projects. Some of the goals of OMA include: learning about abstract artists and creating abstract art, building positive rapport between the volunteer and the artist, and offering time to engage in the creative process with autonomy and fun. Come for the Joy! All levels of artistic ability are welcomed.
Dates: Wednesdays on April 2, 9, 16, 23, 2025
Time: 1:30-2:30pm
Location: VPAS, 985 South High Street, Harrisonburg
This is a four part series. Participants should register below or call 540.471.5633 for more information.
*Immediate Need: Volunteers are needed for these sessions. Volunteers are fully guided by the OMA facilitator throughout each art project, and all levels of artistic ability are welcomed. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, have an interest in art, and be comfortable working with older adults living with dementia or other cognitive concerns. Once a volunteer is trained, they may be chosen for future OMA sessions without more training. There are two upcoming volunteer trainings: March 3, 2025 in Buena Vista and March 26, 2025 in Harrisonburg, each from 1:00 - 3:00pm. Please join us! Contact Kathy Guisewite for more information or call 540.615.5341. Click here to get more information about OMA. Click here to sign up as a Volunteer.
The Confident Caregivers Circle is a 4-week series for family caregivers to learn or refresh skills for a more informed caregiving journey.
Topics include: stress management, physical activity and preventing injury, medication management, planning for the future, anticipatory grief and more.
There is also time for sharing, questions and connection with other caregivers on the same path.
Dates: Tuesdays, Feb. 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2025
Time: 10:00 - 11:00am
Location: Bridgewater Retirement Community, Blue Ridge Room, 302 N. 2nd Street, Bridgewater, VA
Register below or call 540-615-5341 for more information.
ONE TIME EVENTS
Prepare to Care is an interactive workshop where caregivers can learn about dementia behaviors and ways to respond in ways that are most helpful as well as other helpful information about caring for someone living with dementia and caregiver support offered by VPAS.
Date: April 8, 2025
Time: 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Location: Sentara RMH Medical Center, Medical Office Building, 2006 Health Campus Drive, Harrisonburg
*Park in Lot B and enter at the Medical Offices entrance. Conference rooms are located on the first floor and will be on your left as soon as you enter the building.
Please register below and for more information call 540.615.5341
Join us as we lead you in this interactive workshop where caregivers can learn about dementia behaviors and ways to respond that are most helpful, as well as other helpful information about caring for someone living with dementia. You will also learn about the caregiver support programs offered by VPAS.
Date: January 14, 2025
Time: 1:00 - 3:00pm
Location: Sentara RMH Medical Center, Medical Office Building, 2006 Health Campus Drive, Harrisonburg
*Enter at the Medical Offices Building, first floor conference room on the left. Park in Lot B.
Register below and for more information, please call 540.615.5341.
Dealing with Dementia is a workshop, paired with the comprehensive Dealing with Dementia guide, a detailed workbook designed to help you navigate the unique challenges of caring for someone with dementia. Learn how to better understand dementia, manage problem behaviors, handle stress, and find more time for yourself. A light lunch will be provided.
Date: February 27, 2025 from 11:00am - 4:00pm
Location: VPAS, 325 Pine Avenue, Waynesboro VA
Register below or call 540.615.5341 for more information.
Dealing with Dementia is a workshop, paired with the comprehensive Dealing with Dementia guide, a detailed workbook designed to help you navigate the unique challenges of caring for someone with dementia. Learn how to better understand dementia, manage problem behaviors, handle stress, and find more time for yourself. A light lunch will be provided.
Date: April 24, 2025 from 11:00am - 4:00pm
Location: Maury River Senior Services (VPAS), 2137 Magnolia Avenue, Buena Vista, VA
Register below or call 540.615.5341 for more information.
Voluntary and confidential contributions are always accepted and appreciated.