ASEB/AgeSong Intern Collaboration Project
About Us
ASEB (Alzheimer's Services of the East Bay) is a nonprofit organization that provides a comprehensive range of services for individuals facing the challenges of memory loss. We opened our doors in 1989 and run two award-winning adult day centers. We also offer caregiver support, information and referrals, and an extensive training and education program. Our goal is to enable people with Alzheimer's and related conditions to remain at home for as long as possible, and to avoid premature or inappropriate institutionalization.
Why We Need Your Help
Nearly 65% of our current Adult Day Health Care participants
are low income and 90% are over the age of 65. Each year we struggle to find
the funds to keep our centers open and to maintain a high staff to client
ratio. The last two years have been particularly difficult because of the state
of California's budget crisis. Now we are facing devastating cuts that threaten
to prevent many of our participants from attending our day program.
Our Goal
ASEB is about to embark on an exciting partnership with the AgeSong Institute
that will enhance the quality of its memory loss programming. Trained to work
with premier health care systems throughout California, AgeSong interns will
team with ASEB staff to provide emotional and therapeutic support both
one-on-one and in groups. Interns will spend time with ASEB participants
sharing stories, reading, writing, creating art, and many other activities.
They will also play a part in restarting ASEB's Saturday Respite Program. ASEB
is kicking off a fundraising drive to finance the program. Our goal is to raise
$36,000 to see this partnership through.
Each AgeSong intern is supervised by a licensed professional and required to attend trainings and group supervision sessions weekly. Interns are selected on the basis of their interest in working with the aging population and on their commitment to being part of a movement that views aging with respect and awareness. They have backgrounds in psychology, gerontology, counseling, grief and loss support, and/or human development and come from a variety of schools and universities in the Bay Area and beyond. ASEB views this partnership as a way of expanding and improving the level of service it provides to its participants.
Micheal Pope, Executive Director of ASEB, has high hopes for this partnership. "This collaboration with AgeSong will enhance our participants' daily experience, she says. "We hope to learn from each other while creating a newer understanding of dementia care through our shared vision."
