About Us
We are creating The Blossom Respite Café, a nurturing environment for individuals with dementia and their care partners in Westchester County. Westchester has the 5th highest incidence of Alzheimer’s of any county in the country, as noted by the Alzheimer’s Association. Additionally, as noted in the recent NYTimes article1, dementia cases are growing, and new approaches are needed.
Additionally, there is a care-givers crisis in our current world. In her book, “The Dementia Caregiver’s Survival Guide”, Janet Cruz writes, “ Medical experts and researchers have labeled primary caregivers of people living with dementia as the “invisible second patients” (Brodaly and Donkin, 2019). This label implies that by dedicating their mind, body, and soul to caring for their loved one while ignoring the value of self-care, most caregivers eventually get to a point where they also begin to experience some physical and emotional symptoms associated with dementia.”
For care-givers- We are creating the Blossom to be a place both literally and “imaginatively” to be a place of respite of the mind, and a place that physically will take care of their family member or friend in a loving, respectful, and even playful way – full of humanity.
We will have an area for care-givers to relax, get information, if desired, meditate with provided soundtracks, sit in a massage chair, or stations for getting some work done.
Meet Fred
Fred Ellman is a horticultural therapist and meditation teacher specializing in dementia care. He teaches Horticultural Therapy at the New York Botanical Garden, focusing on dementia practitioners, and holds a certificate in Contemplative Buddhist Psychotherapy. Over the past eight years, Fred has worked in dementia care communities across the tri-state area, developing activities based on Montessori for Dementia principles. He has spoken at conferences on the connection between horticultural therapy, Buddhist principles, and dementia care, and serves as a volunteer representative for the Alzheimer's Association in Westchester.
Fred co-founded the Blossom Respite Café and Gardens with Rev. Chris of St. John's to support individuals living with dementia, their caregivers, and the wider community.