The E. A. Roberts Alzheimer’s Center Educational Dementia Support Group Meeting on January 11th at 10:00 am will feature Brittany Huey, Training and Resource Specialist with Alabama Lifespan Resource Network. She will present a fun-filled caregiver’s workshop entitled “The Game of Life.”

The first 20 caregiver’s to RSVP will receive a $200 respite care voucher courtesy of Alabama Lifespan Respite. Please RSVP to Brittany Huey at 256-859-4900 no later than January 8, 2018.

E. A. Roberts Alzheimer’s Center is located at 169 Mobile Infirmary Blvd., Mobile, AL  36607.

Call 251-435-6950 for more information.

Supervising a building project was not on my to-do list. But I did want to see that dream of a pergola with a comfortable swing materialize in my backyard. The deck was rotting and I had stepped through decaying boards more than once. So the project began and I stayed home to be on hand in case any problems arose. Watching the progress through the window, I took the time to work on my online dementia advocacy activities.

An email came explaining several mini-grants were available from the Central Alabama Aging Consortium in Montgomery to expand dementia friendly communities. The idea was to foster increased awareness in Alabama of the growing dementia incidence and initiate and conduct sustainable programs that offer information to assist caregivers and people living with dementia. The Dementia Friendly concept is slowly growing in the United States and I was excited that the movement had reached our state. I forwarded the information to my friend, AL Cares Coordinator, Della Sanchez at the Area Agency on Aging. I knew she was busy already but this was another dream that wouldn’t leave me alone. I thought, “If I could just find someone who wanted it as bad as I did, maybe we could work together.” She sent back the message suggesting, “You do it.” I thought, “Okay, maybe I should try.” But I’ve never written a grant. Where do I go for help? I began researching the Internet for ideas and talking to people who had successfully written and won grants.

With the construction work happening outside, I began my own construction on the computer. In my seat at the kitchen table, I built a plan to promote dementia friendly practices in faith communities. After all, the church seemed the ideal place to start. What better place could a person go to find support, encouragement, and understanding when facing life with dementia? My proposal was to educate church staff on how to recognize dementia, caregiver stress, be able to create an environment that was welcoming and inclusive and have helpful resources on hand. Culminating these efforts would be to offer a Memory Café, providing a safe and understanding social event for people with dementia and their care partner.

Two days before the grant submission deadline, I sent the draft to Mrs. Sanchez at the Area Agency on Aging. She forwarded it to the director of the AAA, Julie McGee who responded back with her own proposal. She advised that I would not be able to qualify for the grant as an individual. She had encouraged and enabled my efforts in the past so I wasn’t completely shocked at what came next. In her gracious, supportive way, this powerful woman offered to submit the grant application, by making a few small changes, thereby adding the weight of her position and the structure of her office. I began to think we had a real chance at qualifying for this grant.

One might wonder why would I go to so much effort to talk about dementia. The answer is simple. Because dementia has a way of changing the lives of everyone it touches. As a caregiver for my mom and later my aunt, who both lived the last years of their lives with dementia, a passion for helping others navigate that journey grew into advocacy and action. The valuable lessons I learned along the way were too precious to keep to myself. Although caregiving requires strength, courage, and perseverance, we found a way to keep hope alive. We discovered that our journey was one of faith and love. This took time to develop but the further along we went, the experience taught us to anticipate change and face each challenge with confidence. We found joy in helping others, giving us purpose for our journey. We walked together to the very end of both my mom’s and my aunt’s life and parted at heaven’s gates. I determined to take what we had learned and continue to advocate for those who were following behind.

The submission deadline was met. We waited. The results were two weeks away. While shopping in Costco the phone call came that we’d been waiting for. Moving over to a quiet corner of the store, I listened to the results. The voice said she wanted me to be the first to know. We had gotten the grant. In the time it took to hear the good news and wipe away my tears, my life changed.

Reality set in. Now I was responsible for following through with this homespun plan. The agreement was clear from the beginning. The Area Agency on Aging would submit the grant, but I would do the work. Based on the Dementia Friendly America model, this was a grassroots operation and I would need help. Fellow advocate, Jerry Horn had already lent his graphic art talents to the cause so we began to talk about creating a brochure. I consulted with Mrs. McGee’s wise administrative assistant, Nancy Bledsoe. This was an unexpected relationship that became my lifeline. She helped me with everything. She advised how I should keep track of my activity and shared her organizational methods. We worked together on spending the budget – what to buy and the channels that it would take to make purchases. She coached me on how to find presentation opportunities. This took several months to carry out. Meanwhile, I began writing a PowerPoint Presentation (PPX) to convey our message and compiling folders to handout that would not only inspire and educate our faith communities but also offer local resources.

Finally, I was ready to start finding churches that would be interested. With brochure in hand and in PDF ready to share, I made phone calls. I sent out Facebook invitations to alert the dementia community of this opportunity. Nothing was forthcoming. This became a little worrisome, as we had proposed that 10 churches would invite me to talk about becoming dementia friendly by the end of September. And August was almost here. I began to look for any opportunity. My first approach was to ask for help and consultation with a church administrator. We met and after spending two hours talking, he asked for a copy of my folder (at this point it was a rough draft). He made his own copy and I left. I documented the meeting and counted it as number 1.

My next opportunity came by way of the Alzheimer’s Association to speak to our local National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) group that wanted to know more about the association. As the Alzheimer’s Association Ambassador for District 01, I was happy to oblige. After all, NARFE collectively donates millions of dollars to the Alzheimer’s Association each year and I had a projector, screen, and a rolling bag to carry supplies. So I created a new PPX to talk about what they wanted to hear and wove in what else I was doing. I handed out grant-funded materials and gave out several books.

The next event took place at Westminster Village, a retirement community that offers all levels of care. Upon my arrival posters lined the halls with my photo announcing the event. A tech team helped set up, as people filed in, 41 in all. Several friends from the next county showed up. My ambassador team arrived and helped wherever needed. The smiles and interest on the audience’s faces were encouraging.

By now, my calendar had several commitments secured – two being at my Alma Mata, the University of South Alabama. Going from being a voiceless caregiver to speaking at an OT/PT Conference is a surreal experience. Then I spoke to a Therapeutic Recreation class where, as a student years ago, the inspiration to help the aging population began. And best of all, my mentor, Cathy O’Keefe was present to teach the first part of the class. The students seemed engaged and interested when shown the PPX about activities and life in skilled care that came from my personal experiences.

The next events took place in lovely church facilities: one after a luncheon and another on a Sunday afternoon. Refreshments were set out by the church helpers and my husband was available to run the PPX from the sound booth. My friend, Elisabeth Greene directed the people as they arrived, making sure they signed in and got the proper handouts. For 1 1/2 hours, I talked about dementia, how to prepare, and how to continue an emotional connection with loved ones when living with dementia. We had a drawing for books and some activity ideas on display to share.

Occasionally, I have looked at my ambitious calendar and wonder if I am able to do what I’ve committed to. Then I remember the sight of my back bedroom, which is laden with books, handouts, a printer, ink refills, paper, etc. Folders are stacked up in boxes, along with one box devoted to supplies for the Memory Cafe, which we successfully carried out near the end of the grant period. The happy occasion was held at the Mobile Museum of Art. We had music therapy led by Sonya Atwood followed by art instruction from Elizabet Elliot and Angela King. Refreshments were provided by the AARP. There were 23 people in attendance. Many are ready to return to our next Memory Cafe in November.

By the end of the six-month grant period, we reached and exceeded our goals and managed to speak in front of 173 people altogether. More commitments are on the calendar and I continue to say yes to every opportunity.

The dementia friendly movement in Mobile is driven by the same faith and resolve that sustained us while care partnering. If you have a passion to help create a culture where people with dementia can feel respected, supported and included in everyday community life, now is the time to act. The Central Alabama Aging Consortium is now offering Dementia Friendly Communities Expansion Mini-Grants to people who are ready to change lives: their own and those of people living with or caring for people with dementia. Contact Stephanie Holmes for further information at Stephanie.Holmes@adss.alabama.gmail.com or visit http://centralalabamaaging.org/category/calendar/and learn how to apply.

With our grant completed and more being offered, let’s continue to build dementia friendly communities, offering hope to the thousands who are impacted daily in Alabama.  Catch the vision. We all have a part to play in order to reach all areas of the community. Won’t you join us?

Beth Reinert, October 2017Dementia Friendly Project Manager

Dementia Friendly Project Manager

DementiaFriendlyMobile

The September 14th Educational Dementia Support Group Meeting will have presenters Clare Carter, Pharm.D., and Elizabeth Steadman, Pharm.D to talk about dementia medications.  The meeting starts at 10:00 AM.  Complementary care is provided during the meeting.  Please call 251-435-6950 for more information.

E.A. Roberts Alzheimer’s Center is located at 169 Mobile Infirmary Blvd, Mobile, AL  36607.

E.A.Roberts Alzheimer’s Center presents “Hydration & Nutrition For the Dementia Patient” by Dana Adair at the August 10th Educational Dementia Support Group.  Dana Adair is a Certified Dementia Trainer by the Department of Mental Health in the state of Alabama.

Complimentary care is provided during the meeting.  Please call 435-6950 for more information.  They are located at 169 Mobile Infirmary Blvd., Mobile, AL  36607.

People living with AD are often reluctant to reveal their challenges, even if they have a

diagnosis, as they and their families are aware of the stigma attached to dementia. Although AD

is the sixth leading cause of death in the US, there is no known cure, or even a way to slow down

the disease. The outlook is often viewed as hopeless, social withdrawal occurs, and loss of

independence is close behind.

The Sigma Kappa Sorority – Lambda Alpha Chapter of Springhill College brought the disease out into the open with

their annual “Sigmalympics” event on campus. The field day may have been all fun and games but the

admission fees collected are given to the Sigma Kappa Foundation, who in turn combine all

Sigma Kappa donations nationally to reach the pledge of one million dollars to the Alzheimer’s

Association-Women’s Research Initiative. This is the third year for the Springhill Chapter to

raise funds and also volunteers to help with the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

The second annual Mobile Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be held at Langan Park on November 5,

2016. Reigning as Walk Chairperson for the second year, Jackie Woodward Barnett feels the

Walk is an important aspect for educating the public about Alzheimer’s disease. As General

Manager at Homecare Companions in Mobile, Mrs. Barnett sees first hand the fear and

uncertainty in her client’s families and how they are all affected when a loved one shows signs

of dementia. Soon after the 2014 Walk in Fairhope, her stepbrother received an Alzheimer

diagnosis. More determined than ever, Mrs. Barnett wants to do what she can to help end

Alzheimer’s disease.

Mrs. Barnett says, “We’re hoping for a great turnout on Walk day at the Mobile Museum of Art

parking lot where teams of people wearing purple will gather for community support, gain

valuable resources, enjoy the Excelsior Band and unite for a common cause – an end to

Alzheimer’s disease.”

The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary organization in Alzheimer’s care,

support and research. AL/FL Panhandle Chapter activities and resources may be found at

www.alz.org.

E.A. Roberts Alzheimer Center of Mobile Infirmary presents “Caring for Yourself While Caring for Others” by Pro Health Fitness Team on Thursday, October 13th at 10:00 am.  Learn how to take steps to preserve your own health and well being by attending this support group which meets every second Thursday of the month. Complimentary care is provided during the meeting at 169 Mobile Infirmary Boulevard, Mobile, AL.

                                                                        251-435-6950     |      fax  251-435-6940

I just had my first experience with trying to find a lost person who has dementia.  My neighbor, who lives two blocks away, had fallen asleep on the couch for thirty minutes.  Just enough time for her husband to unlock the back door and disappear.  He has Lewy Body disease.  She provides his care 24/7.   Although he had been at the Adult Day Center today, she was exhausted and dozed off.  He was wearing the Project Lifesaver ankle bracelet that just had the battery replaced last week. She called the Sheriff’s office to alert them.  While she waited at the end of her driveway, she informed a passing bicyclist of her husband’s disappearance.  The rider of the bike is a friend of ours, so he came on to our house with the news.  While my husband got our bikes to join in the hunt, I wrote a quick alert on my Next Door App to tell my neighbors and surrounding neighborhoods of this man’s disappearance. We rode to her house and introduced ourselves.  I waited with her while my friend and husband rode off in several directions, trying to find the missing man.  It was quickly getting dark.  The Sheriff arrived who had the GPS equipment to find the ankle bracelet.  He rode off with the radar tool out his window to try to find him.

Meanwhile, a neighbor who was out shopping saw the Next Door App alert come up on her phone about the missing man.  She and her husband had recently driven out of the neighborhood and saw a man standing at the dark backend of a driveway on their way out.  Putting the alert together with seeing the man, they returned home, checking to see if he was still where they had seen him.  He was. As good fortune would have it, this alerted neighbor just happened to be a police officer.  He was able to bring our missing man home without incident.  He alerted the other officers involved who were searching the neighborhood.

While I was waiting with the wife, we prayed together that her husband would be found without incident.  He was.  The networking of neighbors, technology, and the hand of God, all are safe tonight.

Are you connected with your neighbors with the Next Door App?  It’s free and an excellent tool to communicate quickly. Check it out. And then invite your neighbors.

Enhance your skills and knowledge of caring for a loved one during this FREE One-day course.

caregiver college May 21-2