THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 14, 2020 Page 7 Malden family benefits from Mystic Valley Elder Services Caregiver Support Program C aring for a person with Alzheimer's disease or dementia at home is a difficult task and can become overwhelming at times. Each day brings new challenges as the caregiver copes with changing levels of ability and new patterns of behavior. It is a demanding responsibility. Caregivers work hard year round to provide assistance to their loved ones. Devoting themselves physically and emotionally, caregivers take on enormous duties in bringing comfort to a friend or family member. Normal everyday tasks such as dressing, bathing, eating, and the basic activities of daily living often become difficult to manage for both the person in need of care and the caregiver. Unfortunately, there is no perfect instruction manual. “It is important for caregivers to reach out for help,” explains Mystic Valley Elder Services Caregivers Support Coordinator Kathy Learned. “Caregiving is very difficult to do on your own. They need to recognize that they need and deserve a break from their caregiving responsibilities. Many times, caregivers benefit from talking with others in similar situations.” Nikki, 50, of Malden, is caregiver to her husband Paul, 56, who has had early onset Alzheimer’s for more than two years. She attends Mystic Valley Elder Services’ (MVES) Family Caregivers Support Group. She and Paul have three young sons just fi nishing school and Nikki is a nurse and works nights. “Finances are tight,” said Nikki, with two kids in college and Paul having to leave his job due to the disease. “It can be difficult and very emotional,” she says. Paul is getting direct care including mental stimulation and physical care at an adult day health center three times a week, which MVES is helping him receive, and he is very happy there. Transportation is also provided through MVES to his day care services. During this time, Nikki fi nds time for herself to get a haircut and do errands. She is thankful for the support of her family, such as her sons who live at home, her mom, and Paul’s dad, who stays with him during the week. They have also hired a companion who takes walks with Paul at night when she is working. “Mystic Valley has helped Malden’s Early Voting schedule for Presidential Primary T he City of Malden is off ering Early Voting for the March 3 Presidential Primary. From Monday, February 24, through Friday, February 28, all registered Malden voters will have the option of casting their ballots early at the John & Christina Markey Malden Senior Community Center (7 Washington St.) during regular City Hall business hours. City Hall hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m.-noon. Alternatively, voters may still go to their polling places on Election Day, March 3, from 7 a.m.-8 p.m., if they wish to vote in the usual manner. Voters CDBG | FROM PAGE 1 port services to homeless Malden High students, Tufts University’s Sharewood Project, which operates a weekly free health clinic in Malden Center and the Malden Neighborhood Basketball League, which provides an organized recreational outlet and counseling to high schoolaged boys. The deadline for CDBG grant applications is Feb. 28 at noon. may also choose to vote by absentee ballot. Applications for an absentee ballot may be obtained at the City Clerk’s Offi ce or downloaded from https:// www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleabsentee/absidx.htm. Voters who will be away on Election Day, have a physical disability or whose religious beliefs prevent them from going to the polls may submit an application for an absentee ballot. Absentee ballots are available now. For additional information on early voting, absentee voting, voter registration or other election-related questions, contact the City Clerk’s Offi ce at 781-397-7116 or elections@cityofmalden.org. Program proposals and supporting documents listed on the grant application must be either hand-delivered to the MRA offi ce on the third fl oor at 17 Pleasant St., or sent to the MRA, P.O. Box 278, Malden, MA 02148, Attn.: Alexander Pratt. “We try to include as many projects as we can,” said Pratt, who encouraged applicants with questions to call the MRA offi ce. “If you need help to make this work, we want to work with you,” he said. us out tremendously,” said Nikki. “They have been fabulous, whether it is the support group where you talk to people going through the same situation or troubleshooting direct problems that are specifi c to our age and issue. Our journey is a bit diff erent due to our age and fi nances, the fact that we have children in their 20's and also taking care of our aging parents all while I work.” Mystic Valley Elder Services has a range of accessible and affordable caregiver services through its Family Caregiver Support Program, such as oneon-one assistance, family meetings, community resources, caregiver support groups and peer support, with many off ered at no or low cost to caregivers. When the caregiver support coordinator meets with a new caregiver, she creates an individualized action plan. These services are provided to anyone in MVES’ service area caring for an adult age 60 or older or an adult of any age with Alzheimer's disease or a related memory disorder. For more information on caregivers support programs with Mystic Valley Elder Services, please call 781-324-7705. We Now Offer For Your Eating Pleasure “UBER EATS” Convenient Delivery Service Bianchi’s Pizza and Renzo’s Full Menu To Go ~ Renzo’s Entertainment Schedule ~ Wednesday: DJ George * Thursday: Smokin Joe * Friday: Smokin Joe Saturday: Joe Canzano * Sunday, 3:30 p.m. : DJ George Entertainment Wed. Thru Sat. 7:30 p.m. 381 Revere Beach Blvd., Revere 781-284-5600 Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma It’s Time To Fall In Love... With a New Car! AUTO LOAN OFFER as low as 2.49% Online: massbaycu.org By phone: (617) 269-2700 In person: at any branch Easy! 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