Dementia Network to support caregivers

An estimated one in nine people over 65 have dementia or conditions related to memory loss. In Rock County, the prevalence may be greater, given older rural populations.
For families caring for loved ones, caregiving responsibilities can be overwhelming, and a local group is working to provide relief.
“The need is huge,” said George Bonnema, president of Generations (formerly Rock County Senior Citizens). “And we’ve hidden it for so long. Most families haven’t wanted to talk about it, but the stigma is finally breaking down.”
Bonnema is among a team of volunteers and local agencies to address the challenges of memory loss and dementia among local families.
The goal of Rock County Dementia Network is to improve the wellbeing of caregivers and in turn help their loved ones.
An introductory event is planned for Tuesday, Aug. 20, in the Generations building where two sessions — at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. — will address Alzheimer’s and other memory loss conditions.
Generations is part of the effort along with Good Samaritan Society, ACE of Southwestern Minnesota and the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging.
Tuesday’s sessions will feature Dr. Joseph Gaugler who will focus on how communities can support families and professionals who care for people with memory loss.
Bonnema said he’s excited to start the local network and host Tuesday’s sessions, but he said it’s just a start.
“It can seem overwhelming, but we have to start somewhere, and this is a start,” he said about Tuesday’s event. “We want to help our caregivers by giving them options for respite care.”
 
Have lunch at the Bistro, experience virtual aging
The two sessions fall before and after the noon hour, and Bonnema encourages participants to join the LSS Bistro for lunch in the Generations building. The cost is $2.25 per meal. Call 283-9846 to sign up for lunch.
At the start of the 1 p.m. session, virtual aging and dementia experiences are available. The process illustrates what it’s like to have poor hearing, poor sight and neuropathy in their limbs and extremities.
Earphones with background noise, heavy glasses with smeared lenses and rice grains in shoes are used to recreate the experience of aging and dementia.
 
RCO, Memory Café and Memory Kits
At the Aug. 20 event, Rock County Dementia Network organizers will introduce partners in the community, such as Rock County Opportunities, which has certified staff and space to offer drop-in adult day care.
Another local initiative is a Memory Café at Poplar Creek in Luverne. It’s not respite care, but it provides a safe and comfortable space where caregivers and their loved ones can socialize, listen to music, play games, and enjoy other appropriate activities.
Meanwhile, another group is working on Memory Kits to help spur conversation. They could include farming items, baking utensils, gardening tools or other items that may strike a chord in someone’s memory.
In addition, the Rock County Dementia Network includes local schools, law enforcement, Minnesota West, ACE of Rock County and the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging.
For questions about the Aug. 20 event, contact Carrie Soto at 507-283-1996.
 
Editor’s note: Local families affected by dementia and related illnesses have shared their experiences, and those testimonials will appear in a special news magazine, “Glory Days,” to be inserted with the Aug. 29 edition.