Our Mission
CarePartners Initiative is dedicated to providing no-cost support to Sonoma Valley families living with dementia and memory decline. We strive to help caregivers care for themselves and their memory care companions by offering educational forums, activities, support groups and valuable resources.
Our Goal
To improve the quality of life for both caregivers and care receivers in the Sonoma Valley and beyond.
CONTINUUM OF SUPPORT
Initiatives for Caregiver and Loved One
Social Activities
At least once a month CarePartners Initiative (CPI) organizes a social activity with a community resource. A brown bag picnic lunch is ideal for socialization. Transcendence Theater rehearsals and local musicians are examples. Pets Lifeline and Sonoma Garden Park are favorite venues. Please check our calendar page for specifics.
Memory Cafes
They are held 10:00 am – Noon on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month with a goal of socialization as the focus. The family caregiver or a friend must accompany a loved one. Music, games, and art projects will provide enjoyment for both. The plan is to have three locations in Sonoma Valley from Oakmont to Temelec. Please check our calendar page for specifics.
Dementia Friendly Sonoma Valley
We are certified as part of the national movement, Dementia Friendly America. The goal is to make our community aware of our loved ones with dementia and how to care for them. Police, firefighters, healthcare workers, restaurants, shops must understand, respect, support, and help our increasing dementia population.
Music Therapy
Led by the founder of Music Mends Minds and two local music therapists, the November 2023 Forum introduced this impactful therapy to both care partners. The follow-up will be help to bring music into the lives of those suffering from dementia.
Community Service Projects
Once or twice a year, both care partners will participate in a community service project with a local church or nonprofit organization. Filling Christmas shoeboxes for the children who have an incarcerated parent would be an example. The goal is to provide a “sense of purpose” for both care partners.
Initiatives for Caregiver Only
Support Groups
CPI facilitators lead monthly support groups for caregivers. Sharing both successes and challenges among caregivers results in feeling “I am not alone.” Other support groups from Alzheimer’s Assoc. and other sources have specific targets. Support for adult children helping a parent with dementia is an example. Please check our calendar page for specifics.
Home Teams
The goal is to have each caregiver have a “coach” who is their primary resource for information on both support and services for their loved one and, of equal importance, for themselves. Caregivers must take care of themselves in order to better care for their loved one. When the coach becomes the “best friend” of the caregiver, the Home Team has a home run!
Educational Forums
Several times a year CPI hosts a forum on a major need or opportunity for caregivers. Recent forums focused on stress management, legal and insurance issues, and music therapy.
Navigator Community Resources
A phone call to the CPI HelpLine, (707) 732-9436, with questions about in home caregivers, etc. is followed up by a navigator who connects the caller with local resources and contact information. Follow up will confirm success.
Yes, we can learn to live with memory decline and enjoy a quality life.