For more information, contact:
Samantha Uncangco
Isa Psychological Services Center
University of Guam
Tel: (671) 735-2883
Email: isa.tgss@triton.uog.edu
Rhoda Orallo
Health Services of the Pacific
Tel: (671) 735-3277
Email: nfcspmgr@teleguam.net

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 Free support groups for caregivers of persons with dementia continue this month

Attorney Marcelene C. Santos to present on legalities and guardianship

The online support groups for family caregivers of persons with dementia hosted by the Isa Psychological Services Center at the University of Guam will continue in October. Two sessions will feature Public Guardian Marcelene Santos from the Office of the Public Guardian, who will present on guardianship and other legal aspects of caring for someone with dementia.

The sessions are free of charge to partners, family members, and other caregivers of persons with dementia throughout Micronesia. All support groups are client-centered and confidential.

October sessions

This month’s groups will be held at the following times:

• 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7
• 10 a.m. – noon on Saturday, Oct. 10
• 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21 (featuring Attorney Marcelene C. Santos, Public Guardian) 
• 10 a.m. – noon on Saturday, Oct. 24 (featuring Attorney Marcelene C. Santos, Public Guardian)

Attorney Santos will be available after her presentations to answer questions from the group participants.

What to expect
The support groups provide a safe place to share the stresses and challenges, successes and rewards of caring for a loved one with dementia with others who may be going through similar experiences. They also provide a forum for caregivers to participate in presentations led by health care professionals and other community members with expertise in caring for persons with dementia.

The support groups are facilitated by clinical psychologist Dr. Iain Twaddle of Isa Psychological Services Center; Isa counselors Samantha Uncangco and Nikolas Gutierrez, who each hold bachelor’s degrees in psychology; and Health Services of the Pacific social worker Rhoda Orallo, who holds a master’s in social work.

Sign up to participate
The support groups launched in August in collaboration with the UOG School of Health’s Guam/Micronesia Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program. They will be held year-round on the first and third Wednesdays and Saturdays of each month at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and 10 a.m. on Saturdays. The support groups will be conducted remotely on Zoom during the pandemic.

To sign up for a family caregiver online support group, call or email Samantha Uncangco at (671) 735-2883 or isa.tgss@triton.uog.edu or Rhoda Orallo (671) 735-3277 or nfcspmgr@teleguam.net.