Page 4 - Palm City Spotlight - January '25

Page 4, Palm City Spotlight

Good works

Caregivers Caring For Through the GUIDE program, patients on Medicare can
Dementia Patients Get Help receive up to $2,500 a year for respite care. This extra bit of
financial help enables caregivers to take temporary breaks
From Council On Aging and renew their health and spirit. They can use the funds for
in-home help or for more frequent assistance like the Day
Martin County Club on the Council on Aging’s Kane Center campus. These
funds, and the GUIDE program, are available to Medicare
Caregivers of dementia patients face physical, mental, patients throughout Martin, St. Lucie and Northern Palm
emotional and often financial challenges to keep their loved Beach but are not available to patients enrolled in a
ones safe and comfortable. The Council on Aging Martin Medicare Advantage Plan or hospice.
County now offers a program, called GUIDE, that helps the Those enrolled in the program also have access to a 24/7
caregiver as well as the patient and even provides funding hotline. “Having someone always available to listen can
for respite care. be very meaningful to a caregiver,” said Kelley Pekarsky,
“We know how difficult it can be for individuals with Kelley Pekarsky, DNP, APRN, is the clinical navigator nurse practitioner at the Council on Aging Martin County’s
dementia and their families to find the resources they need helping community members learn about the new GUIDE Day Primary Care Center and the program’s clinical
and to feel confident in the choices they’re making,” said program at the Council on Aging Martin. The program assists navigator. “Thanks to the GUIDE program, there is always
Council on Aging Martin President and CEO Karen Ripper. individuals coping with dementia and their caregivers. More somewhere to turn, and someone who can give support and
“Our GUIDE program enables us to bring our community information is available from the Council on Aging Martin knowledgeable advice.”
even more ways of caring for loved ones with dementia and at www.coamartin.org and at (772) 223-7800. For more information about the program, call (561) 320-
supporting their caregivers.” 7451, call the Council on Aging Martin County at (772)
The goal of the program is to enable people to stay safely at provider and specialists, a rich array of community resources 223-7800, or visit the website www.coamartin.org.
home and out of the hospital or a nursing home. That requires to draw on like Meals on Wheels and the Circle of Safety
education, coordination with the patient’s primary care Bracelet, and a strong layer of support for the caregiver.

Humane Society from page 1

people and pups include a
group walk, a flea-“less”
market, adoptable animals,
food trucks, a pet costume
contest, AKC Canine Good
Citizen Testing, a kids’ zone,
a lure course, a Camp Bow
Wow doggy playground and
raffles.
The public is also invited
to create a “pack,” which is a
fundraising team that raises The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast’s 21st annual
funds for the shelter animals. Mutt March includes the opportunity for dogs to chase a
For more event information, mechanized lure.
visit the website, https://
p2p.onecause.com/ About The Humane Society Of The Treasure Coast
muttmarch2025. The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast (HSTC) is a
The Mutt March is no-kill animal welfare organization located at 4100 S.W.
generously sponsored by Leighton Farm Ave. in Palm City, Fla. Since 1955, it has been
Sunny 107.9 FM, Ace of A walk around the park begins the festival portion of the Humane Society of the Treasure the leading advocate for animal protection and well-being
Carts, Camp Bow Wow, Coast’s 21st annual Mutt March. in the Martin County area. A 501(c)(3) private, nonprofit
organization, the HSTC is independent and locally operated
Metal Ops, LLC., Groza Builders, Apex Pavers & Pools and relies on donations to support its programs and services.
and TC Palm. Follow the HSTC on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/
For event questions, email Alyssa Bean at Events@ humanesocietyTC and Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/
hstc1.org or call (772) 600-3215. For sponsorship hstc1. For more information, visit https://www.hstc1.org or
opportunities, email Ashton Sorrentino at ASorrentino@ call (772) 223-8822.
hstc1.org or call (772) 600-3216. Photos by Doreen Poreba

VIM Gala from page 1 and include them, healing hands to touch their lives with
love, and in the process, heal ourselves.
Cruz at (772) 463-4128, Ext. 211. You may also visit About Volunteers In Medicine Clinic
the website at vimclinic.net/gala. Since 1995 Volunteers in Medicine Clinic has been
Since 1995, Volunteers in Medicine Clinic has been providing free health care to qualified, uninsured Martin
making a difference in our community. Our dedicated staff, County residents. Volunteers in Medicine Clinic is located
At last year’s Mutt March, Betsey Kerner and her dog, Lisa, volunteers and partner organizations have been ensuring at 417 S.E. Balboa Avenue in Stuart, Florida. For more
aka “Spug-ghetti and Meatball,” were among the costume compassionate health care is available for eligible, information, please call (772) 463-4128 or visit Volunteers
contest winners. uninsured residents of Martin County. in Medicine Clinic online at www.vimclinic.net.
May we have eyes to see those who are rendered
Why Pay More To Sell? invisible and excluded, open arms and hearts to reach out Photographs by Mia Cruz

Even with 23 years of
experience, my fees
are still low

SELL YOUR HOME
Using the latest and most advanced
marketing technologies

Call Jim at

772-341-2941

Jim Weix, Broker Associate Volunteers in Medicine Clinic Gala Committee – Pictured left to right: Mia Cruz, Vickie Dodds, Judi Powell, Jordan
309 SE Osceola St., Suite 204, Stuart Bromberg, Katie Makemson, Mary Fields. Not pictured: Anne Cooling, Linda Evans.