Leeza's Place at Memorial Hospital Pembroke
Located on the campus of Memorial Hospital Pembroke, Leeza’s Place is a multifaceted resource for those providing care for a loved one with a memory disorder and those recently diagnosed with a neurological disorder. In an intimate and safe setting, people from different generations and backgrounds can benefit from the sharing of common experiences and concerns.
After the loss of her grandmother to Alzheimer’s disease and the subsequent diagnosis of her mother, noted television and radio host Leeza Gibbons and her family created The Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation to meet the needs of those affected by memory disorders. Leeza’s Place is the result of the Foundation’s ongoing partnership with community-based healthcare facilities like Memorial Hospital Pembroke.
Programs to Serve Many Needs
Each of the programs at Leeza’s Place is a result of open conversations with patients, caregivers and their loved ones. With an understanding of their unique needs, values, challenges and goals, Leeza’s Place seeks to:
- Build the self-esteem of patients and caregivers
- Relieve symptoms associated with memory disorders
- Share information about new medical advances, available resources and other developments
- Reduce the stress of caring for a patient with a memory disorder, as well as the stress of being newly diagnosed
- Assist caregivers with coping and care-related skills
- Encourage patient advocacy
The cornerstone of Leeza’s Place is a specially trained “Leeza Care Advocate”, whose primary responsibility is to provide continuing information and support to caregivers. In addition, Leeza’s Place features an Experts Panel, which utilizes the expertise of local professionals in the fields of medicine, pharmacy, counseling and other specialties.
Comprehensive Treatment Programs
At the Memory Center, our personalized programs accurately identify and treat memory disorders through:
- A patient evaluation and questionnaire
- A review of the patient’s medical history and degree of memory loss
- Psychological and cognitive testing
- Physical exams and diagnostic testing
After a diagnosis by a multispecialty team of physicians, nurses, technicians and social workers, the Memory Center team creates a customized plan using a combination of medication, counseling and/or other resources. This treatment plan aims to reverse or stop the effects of memory loss and postpone the onset of a memory disorder.
Among the many programs offered at Leeza’s Place at Memorial Hospital Pembroke:
Journaling
Writing about emotionally charged events reduces stress, thereby decreasing the chance of illness. Journaling at Leeza’s Place also enables caregivers to creatively express their emotions without judgment.
Leeza’s Memory Television (LMTV)
This unique program offers participants the opportunity to script, stage and record a video of their family histories. Journaling, scrapbooking and photography are used as resources and visual enhancements for a highly personalized and meaningful video.
Scrapbooking
By creating scrapbooks of photographs and memorabilia, families can relive memories and share feelings about the future. This fun and involving activity also facilitates new friendships, new skills and a welcome distraction from the challenges of illness.
Educational Lectures
Throughout the year, programs will be available to caregivers, medical professionals and other members of the community on various topics regarding memory disorders.
Caregiver Support Groups
Representatives from national organizations offer additional support and information to those visiting Leeza’s Place.
Leeza’s Place works hand in hand with the Memory Center at Memorial Hospital Pembroke, where highly advanced diagnosis and medical treatment is offered for those with memory disorders.
For more information about Leeza’s Place at Memorial Hospital Pembroke, please call (954) 967-7240.