Adam Prudhomme
Editor
The Alzheimer Society of Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox and Addington will officially open the doors to its Napanee location on Nov. 27 with an open house from 1-3 p.m.
Members of the public are invited to check out their new space, which is located inside the Napanee Area Community Health Centre at 26 Dundas Street W.
Unofficially open since Oct. 1, the staff at the Napanee location have been gathering feedback from clients to get a sense of what kinds of programs they’d like to see offered. The Nov. 27 open house will be another opportunity for clients and family members to offer their input.
“They’re excited to be able to say what kind of services they would like to see in place instead of us just coming in and saying we have these things to offer,” said Candice McMulllen, program coordinator with the KFLA Alzheimer Society. “They get to decide how they would like the services to take place in their own lives.”
Though they still offer in home care, establishing an office in Napanee was important to reassert the fact they service this area.
“We are the Alzheimer Society of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington,” said Vicki Poffley, executive director of the society. “We wanted to branch out and provide services throughout our entire catchment area. We are now in Sharbot Lake, Northbrook and Napanee with our main office in Kingston. One thing that was very important to all of us, staff and the board, was that we could meet our families where they’re at.”
Having an office in Napanee ensures that clients get to work with the same staff and can build a rapport.
“We know with clients, specifically with dementia, having the same person is key,” said McMullen. “They don’t have to go through several people.”
No formal diagnosis is required to access their services and they work with clients with all forms of dementia. Being in the NACHC building allows them to work with other agencies as well to offer a holistic approach to care.
Guests of the open house will have an opportunity to meet with staff and tour the second level facility.