Robin Lee Michel,  Hartford HealthCare Senior Services

SOUTHINGTON – Michelle Wyman,  life enrichment coach with Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, received the 2016 Excellence in Caregiving Award from the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter. The presentation was made at the Nov. 14 awards ceremony held in West Hartford.

Wyman, who joined the Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging staff in 2015, is a licensed social worker who has worked in the elder care field for more than 30 years. Based at the Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging-Bradley Memorial campus, 81 Meriden Ave., she assists and coaches families and caregivers caring for someone with dementia. Wyman also develops and implements evidence-based tools to assist patients with dementia, their families and caregivers.

“Michelle Wyman is extremely passionate about working with patients and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. I am in awe of how she skillfully is able to decrease the stress, anxiety and burden of caregivers and coach them toward successful interactions with their loved one who has dementia,” said Wendy Martinson, the program director for Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, and director of care transitions for Hartford HealthCare at Home.

Wyman, a West Hartford resident, also trains family and caregivers on best dementia care practices; works with community care providers to meet patient and family needs; assisted in developing the Dementia Caregiver Resource Guide; and conducts educational sessions. She also leads an Alzheimer’s support group and is a licensed StilMee™ Alzheimer’s coach.

“Michelle is a very kind, caring and compassionate person whose true passion is to work with families and caregivers to improve their interactions to maintain a loving and happy relationship with the person with dementia and the caregiver/families,” Martinson said.

For more information, visit Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging and download the free Dementia Caregiver Resource Guide. To speak with Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, call 1.877.4AGING1 (1.877.424.4641).

Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, a not-for-profit member of Hartford HealthCare Senior Services, is a resource and assessment center designed to enhance access to services and information related to attaining optimal quality of life for seniors and their caregivers.