ORANGE PARK – The Thomas A. Plein Foundation awarded Haven Hospice a $25,000 grant to support its Dementia Care Program.

Haven’s Dementia Care Program educates Haven team members, patient caregivers and community partners to improve the quality of life for individuals living with dementia. The program also aims to relieve caregiver stress.

Haven Hospice’s mission is to provide hospice and palliative care across 18 Florida counties, including Haven-Custead Hospice Care Center at 745 Blanding Blvd.

The Plein Foundation’s grant will go toward the creation of memory cafes and caregiver support groups, the purchase of life enrichment tools, like robotic animals, busy blankets, aromatherapy, baby dolls, puzzles and art supplies, that provide meaningful activities for patients; and the purchase of caregiver support guides and other resources to help them prepare for their loved one’s dementia journey and alleviate the potential for caregiver burnout.

Haven is in the process of certifying 12 team members through Positive Approach to Care, LLC, and Teepa Snow. These certifications will ensure that Haven is sufficiently trained to provide ongoing education to staff, volunteers, community partners and patient caregivers. Funding from the Plein Foundation will be used to meet the needs of patients living with dementia in all 18 counties served by Haven.

“Haven found that a significant number of its patients year-over-year had a dementia diagnosis and that some families were struggling to meet the cognitive, physical and emotional needs associated with dementia. Our team realized that special training and education were a must to help us identify ways to assist each patient and their caregiver(s) with having a better quality of life,” said Anita Howard, Haven Dementia Care program manager. “Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases affect each person differently. The Plein Foundation’s gift will allow Haven to help staff, families and community partners identify how to best care for those living with dementia. We are thankful for these funds and are already putting them to use at Haven and in the communities we serve.”