The local dementia caregiver support group met Oct. 1 at the Holiday Inn at the usual time of 11:30 a.m.
Norma Krats was in charge of leading the group as I happened to be out of town.
Krats had an excerpt of a book titled “Still Alice.” This was a story of a 50-year-old lady going through the early onset of Alzheimers. She spoke of the many fears that she was going to have to face, wondering how she was going to define herself. She is a mother, a wife and a friend — worthy of love and still an active participant in relationships. Her brain may not work as it once did, as she stated, but I can use my ears for listening, my shoulders to cry upon and her arms for hugging others with dementia.
She stressed early diagnosis, for physicians, not always to assume people experiencing memory and cognitive problems are stressed or depressed or into a menopausal situation.
The earlier we are properly diagnosed, the earlier we can get on with a drug program. Encourage the client, empower, and not limit us.
The small part of this book that I had read really sounds very touching and worthy of reading. I will try to purchase it, then we could lend it out to those whom may be interested in reading it.
Our next meeting will be at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 5 at the Holiday Inn. We hope to see a few more new faces. We welcome all family members, as it is a challenge and we want to help you.
