77th Annual Recognition Awards
Wednesday, May 28th, Curative Connections held its 77th Annual Recognition Awards. Where we celebrate all our members and their achievements. There are three award categories: Top Effort, Volunteer, and Advocacy. Curative and community members are nominated by program staff and/or fellow members. The Top Effort Award is meant to recognize the growth members make in their own personal journeys and in their programs. The Volunteer Awards celebrate program, transportation, and member volunteers. Our volunteers are an essential part of a members experience at Curative, and we can never thank them enough for dedicating their time and talents to Curative Connections. The Advocacy category is meant to highlight community and Curative advocates that go above and beyond in serving the community and supporting our members. This is an incredible event that allows the Curative Community to come together and celebrate each other. There is nothing like seeing our members show up for each other and what it means for award recipients to be recognized.
Thank you to everyone who made this event possible and to all who attended in support of our members! Click to watch the 2025 Award recipient videos, have tissues nearby!
Watch the 2025 Recognition Award Recipient Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYvqUqEt4kM&list=PL71f2hH4nefg1YIksGRC2JSkTJd6MQIL8
June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month
There are many changes that come with age. The brain shrinks as we grow older, it takes longer to learn new things, and things like multitasking become more difficult. There are also many positives associated with growing older, such as increased wisdom, deeper relationships, and a broader perspective on life.
There are also changes that are not normal parts of aging but are also not dementia. They can be indicators of other health issues. There are many resources in Brown County to investigate changes. Through the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), you can schedule a Brain Check-Up which is also called a Memory Screen. This assessment consists of three activities that test different parts of brain function. This is recommended for anyone over 60 annually, it is a good way to keep track of your memory and cognition and can detect even small changes.
https://adrcofbrowncounty.org/brain-check-up/
While changes to the brain are expected, dementia is not a part of a normal aging. When you notice these signs, they should raise some concerns.
- Unable to think things out
- Unable to complete or get started on a task
- Words won’t come even with clues
- Personality or behaviors are different
- Confused between past/present
- Unable to successfully place a person who you have known
It can be scary to face these realities and to know that there is no way to prevent dementia, but there are ways to reduce your risk and slow progression. Things you can do:
- Exercise- Regular for exercise for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. The goal is to get your heart rate up, consult a doctor first
- Improve Nutrition- There are a lot of diets that are holistic and well rounded, like the Mediterranean, DASH, or MIND diets
- Routine Sleep- Establish a regular sleep schedule, and wake up at the same time
- Socialize- Spend time with other people
- Cognitive Activity- Challenge your brain, use it or lose it
- Manage physical conditions- High blood pressure, diabetes, etc.
There are many resources right here in Brown County to take preventative measures and to manage symptoms of memory loss. The Brain Center of Green Bay focuses on six pillars of brain health: quality fuel and nutrition, physical exercise, cognitive stimulation, restorative sleep, appropriate stress, and the avoidance of illness, injury, and toxins. They offer coaching on how to integrate them into your daily routine, and readings about each of them.
https://www.braincentergb.org/pillars-1
Curative Connections Early Memory Loss classes focus on slowing the progression of these changes and can even reverse them. The class lesson plans are based on four pillars: cognitive stimulation, social engagement, physical exercise, and creative expression. Each week there is a different topic covered and the four pillars are worked into each one.
Taking care of your brain and learning the signs of dementia and other abnormal changes in cognition and daily function are essential. Tuesday, June 10, Felician Village in Manitowoc will be hosting a Community Education Workshop all about the aging brain. This event is presented by Sheri Fairman, MSW, CMD CP owner of Dementia Care Solutions. She will share symptoms, causes, and tips to improve them. This event is free and open to the public.
Event Flyer: https://dementiacaresolutions.org/event/manitowoc-our-aging-brain/
Treble Alliance Performance
A big part of the Curative Connections experience is community involvement, whether that be taking our members out on outings or bringing the community to them through onsite events. Recently Treble Alliance, a group of four dancers who have combined Irish dance and cosplay performed for our members at Curative East. Our members LOVED it! You could hear the cheers and tapping across the entire building. It was a performance we won’t soon forget, and we look forward to seeing them again!
Thank you to Treble Alliance for the incredible performance! Make sure to subscribe to their YouTube Channel to see more! https://www.youtube.com/@TrebleAlliance
Advocacy Update
As the Wisconsin Legislature negotiates the state budget, now is a critical time to continue to advocate for Family Care support with our legislative leaders. Please join our efforts in calling or emailing to reinforce the essential funding needed to support Curative Connections’ adult day services.
The state budget resolution is under review. Financial decisions on the state 2025-2027 biennial budget must be completed by June 30, 2025, to meet the fiscal year deadline.
Our Funding request:
- Adult Day Services funding- an increase of $12 million in State general purpose revenue (GPR) to be allocated to fund providers to the state budget to fund providers, like Curative Connections, of Adult Day Services.
- Minimum fee schedule- continuation that mandates MCOs to pay us, as providers, a minimum rate reimbursement that is in line to offer better pay for our staff. Senator Eric Wimberger and Rep. Elijah Behnke have agreed to be our “main authors” in the GOP caucus to push for inclusion of our funding request in the budget.
Action Plan:
- Please call or email leaders listed here and ask for their support of our funding request.
- Special additional note to Senator Wimberger and Rep. Behnke: Thank them for their efforts to bring forward and support our funding requests.
- Sen. Wimberger – remind him that in addition to Curative Connections’ Green Bay locations, we also provide adult day services in Shawano as well as Green Bay. Shawano is in his district!
- Rep. Behnke -thank him also for his recent visit/tour with Jeanne Stangel at Curative Connections on April 1st and his sincere interest to support the valuable work we do.
Contact Info:
Senator Wimberger (member of Joint Finance Committee):
Telephone:(608) 266-5670
Email: Sen.Wimberger@legis.wisconsin.gov
Rep. Elijah Behnke:
Telephone:(608)237-9106
Email: rep.behnke@legis.wisconsin.gov
Senator LeMahieu (current majority leader):
Telephone:(608) 266-2056
Email: Sen.LeMahieu@legis.wisconsin.gov
Senator Marklein (Co-chair Joint Finance committee):
Telephone:(608) 266-0703
Email: Sen.Marklein@legis.wisconsin.gov
Upcoming Events & Announcements
June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month
June is Pride Month
Our Aging and Changing Brain: What is Typical? When to be Concerned? – 6/10
Pizza Ranch Community Impact Fundraiser- 8/18
Garden Gala- 9/9
Kickoff for Curative- 9/21
