The Alzheimer’s/Dementia Ministry at St. Francis reaches out both to those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other related dementia and to their caregivers. Its goal is to provide information to parishioners and support to caregivers of those whose memories have been robbed by dementia. Twice-monthly support groups are available for caregivers.
The group meets the first Wednesday of every month from 1 to 3 p.m. in The Padua Room in the Community Center and the third Wednesday of every month from 7 to 9 p.m. in Room 403 in Anthony Hall.
Upcoming Event:
Experiential Simulation of
Dementia
Informational Resource about Dementia for Caregivers & Seniors
Does someone you love have Alzheimers or dementia?
Have you ever wanted to gain a better understanding of why certain things are frustrating for your loved one?
Consider joining us on Sunday, February 17, after 11:30 Mass in Cupertino.
Local dementia specialists will be hosting the Virtual Dementia Tour. This tour is a tool to help give context to some of the behaviors you may see – resisting being in bright light, trouble walking, or agitation at loud noises. Here’s what the tour is like:
If you’ve ever spent time with someone who has dementia, you know that their behavior can be unpredictable. A few weeks ago, our Alzheimers/Dementia Ministry leaders took a “virtual Alzheimers tour. Several members of our Alzheimers/Dementia group visited with a local assisted living community that has partnered with P. K. Beville to provide the opportunity for families to understand what life is like for their loved one. It’s a life changing experience.
To recreate the visual, physical and auditory sensations reported by dementia patients, we were fitted with blurred goggles, thick gloves, headphones that screeched and played loud talk radio, and then they put something in our shoes that made it uncomfortable to walk. Then, they gave us a set of 5 tasks to do. These tasks would ordinarily been easy to do, but between the pain of walking, the constant assault in the ears, and limited use of hands and eyes, it’s hard to even hear the instructions, much less remember them!
Everyone agreed that they experienced a feeling of isolation, frustration and futility. It seemed that in the short space of 15 minutes, we had all gained a lifetime of understanding for our loved ones with this disease.
If you’re caring for someone with dementia, please consider joining our Alzheimers/Dementia Ministry. We can help you find resources and provide you with compassionate support.
To register for the tour, contact Kathleen Owen at 919-847-8205, ext 241, or kathleen .owen@stfrancisraleigh.org
***********************************************************************************************************
If you couldn’t join us June 9, 2012 for
Alzheimers – A Conversation with Dr. James Burke, you’re in luck!
Click here to see his presentation and the audio portion will be available here next week!
Click here for a map of our campus.
For more information, contact Carol Gault at (919) 847-8205, ext. 269, or carol.gault@stfrancisraleigh.org.
This page has the following sub pages.
