Our wellness programs offer individuals the support and information they need to support their desire to live well.
Wellness is nurturing balance in our lives: mind, body, and spirit. It is practicing the ability to bring calm awareness to all that we do. Our goal is to help you Live Well in a life that includes memory loss and care partnering. At the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center, wellness is found in our program offerings and is an integral part of our vision as a center.
When we give ourselves compassion,
we are opening our hearts in a way that can transform our lives.
– Kristin Neff
We hear the words “take care of yourself” all the time. We all know it is essential for health and personal well-being, so, what does this really mean? Our wellness programs are designed with this very question in mind. What do you need to nurture balance in your life? As we work towards a cure for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, we aim to champion and celebrate the amazing courage of our participants who do their best to live well with dementia every day. They have inspired us and, in turn, we continue to create wellness programs where individuals can receive the support and information they need to support their desire to live well.
Our Wellness Initiative offers a variety of programs to support the well-being of caregivers and people living with early-stage memory loss.
Select the options below to learn more about each of our programs and to register.
If you have questions regarding programs or which program might be the best fit for you,
please contact us at 734-936-8803.
Programs fill quickly, so please reserve your seat by completing the accompanying registration form.
Catching Your Breath is a monthly well-being and mindfulness program for family caregivers of adults living with a dementia. We currently do not offer programs to professional caregivers.
Catching Your Breath is offered virtually. You may choose to attend one or all sessions. The program varies each month, and newcomers are welcome at any time.
This program is part of the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center Wellness Initiative and is led by Laura Rice-Oeschger, LMSW.
After registering, you will be sent the connection information for the virtual session.
CALM Connections is the only continuous wellness-based training program for caregivers in Michigan and includes in-person and virtual programs to enhance caregiver well-being, confidence, ongoing self-management, healing, and growth.
Have a Seat is a weekly guided meditation program. Registration is not required, use the Zoom information to join each week. You only need a computer to join the program online or a phone to listen.
This program is part of the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center Wellness Initiative and is led by Laura Rice-Oeschger, LMSW.
Would you like to receive weekly email reminders to join the program?
A PDF flyer is available if you would like to share information about this program.
Call or use Zoom to join at noon Thursdays:
By phone: 1-646-558-8656
By Zoom: Join
Or use the Zoom information below:
Meeting ID: 975 5736 2948 | Passcode: 128653
Mindfulness-based Dementia Care is a nine-week program designed for family caregivers of adults living with dementia. We currently do not offer programs to professional caregivers. The program shares how the practice of mindfulness can provide support during the challenges and stresses of dementia care.
Mindfulness-based Dementia Care is offered virtually. Classes meet weekly, and attendance each week is required for course participation. Some outside practice and reviewing course material between classes is also expected.
Registration is now open for our winter and spring 2024 sessions.
Register on the Presence Care Project website
If you experience trouble registering, please email
Laura Rice-Oeschger, LMSW at [email protected].
The Mitten Minds Support Group is a monthly support group for individuals with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia. The support group provides a space for individuals living with memory loss to meet and learn from others going through similar experiences.
The Mitten Minds Support Group is offered virtually on Zoom. The program is a part of the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center Wellness Initiative. Newcomers are welcome at any time.
If this is your first time attending, please contact [email protected] before attending.
If you have attended before:
CALM Conversations is a series of facilitated discussions exploring topics related to change and loss throughout the caregiving journey. The program is designed for family caregivers of adults living with dementia. Recognizing the presence and impact of losses while developing ways to include grieving in well-being practice is integral to connection, healing, and growth.
This program is facilitated by Laura Rice-Oeschger, LMSW and Theresa Gierzynski, LMSW.
The program is offered virtually. Sessions meet quarterly. You may choose to attend one or all sessions.
We are not currently offering any CALM Conversations sessions. Please check back for future dates.
Living Grief is a weekly exploration of grief for family caregivers of adults living with a dementia. We currently do not offer programs to professional caregivers.
Living Grief is offered virtually. The program takes place weekly for six weeks and it is recommended that participants attend all or most sessions.
It is strongly encouraged that Living Grief attendees will have participated in other Wellness Initiative programs. A variety of topics will be discussed, including ambiguous loss, anticipatory grief, and relationship changes.
This program is part of the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center Wellness Initiative and is led by Theresa Gierzynski, LMSW.
Registration is currently closed.
The Mitten Minds Education Series offers a series of educational presentations for individuals newly diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or in the early stages of a dementia. The series aims to provide important information to individuals who have been recently diagnosed, provide a space for questions to be answered, and connect to other resources and support services available. A loved one may accompany you to the program.
The program is part of the Wellness Initiative at the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center. An expert in dementia care and research presents each session.
There are currently no Mitten Minds Education Series events planned. Please check back for details.
Wellness Day is a half-day creative and social retreat for caregivers of adults living with memory loss at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens. These retreats typically occur twice yearly - once in the spring and once in the fall.
There are currently no Wellness Days planned. Please check back for details.
