By Patricia Bogumil
Editor
A new Racine County-based caregiver support group sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association is welcoming attendees, with meetings set for the second Thursday of each month at Community United Methodist Church, 455 S. Jefferson St., Waterford.
The group next meets from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 9.
During the last several months, Rosemary Christensen and others have attended training with the Alzheimer’s Association as support group facilitators.
“There has been a need here for quite some time,” explained Christensen.
The monthly group features an open forum of conversation, information provided by the Alzheimer’s Association and educational opportunities for the families.
It provides a venue for caregivers to receive support and also provides an outlet for their emotional and physical well-being, explained Christensen.
The group will help families understand common patterns of behavior by Alzheimer’s patients. By sharing their experiences, support group members can feel common ground and a sense of togetherness as they solve problems with practical solutions, said Christensen.
“Little things like maybe making the large meal of the day at lunch rather than supper because this works better for medications, hyperactivity, fatigue of the patient,” suggested Christensen. “Other people may have more ideas.”
The Alzheimer’s Association does ask caregivers not to take themselves too seriously all day – to try and think “light” thoughts as best as they are able, added Christensen.
But that outlook is often not easy.
Christensen personally has known Alzheimer’s as the disease of the “long good bye.” She watched her mother slowly fade into the illness for 13 years. She also watched her Dad wear himself out by pouring all his time, effort and interest into his wife’s care while neglecting his own health.
He preceded his wife in death by two years.
“In truth, it is rather scary to read this sort of thing for people new to the disease who are praying for some way to “fix” it,” said Christensen.
“The most you can hope for is to learn ways to ‘cope’ with Alzheimer’s disease and all the changes and challenges that it brings into your life.”
Which is what the new support group is designed to provide – offering an open forum for people to voice their concerns and ask questions about Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia – or just listen and absorb what others have to say.
Besides offering emotional, educational and social support, the regularly scheduled meetings allow participants to develop methods and skills to solve problems.
The new support group is open to all area family members and caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. There is no cost to attend.
For more information, contact Christensen at (262) 514-2935.
For more information about Alzheimer’s disease and local services, visit www.alz.org/sewi or call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at (800) 272-3900.
-
-
-
-
-