Alzheimer's support group meeting in Orrville
A local support group of the Alzheimer’s Association meets the first Wednesday every month at 1 p.m. in the library of Trinity United Methodist Church, 1556 Rex Drive, Orrville.
The support group is open to all people living with dementia of any kind and their care partners and/or family. The group can be helpful to extended family and the primary caretaker.
Margaret Sanders has been a member of the group since her husband Larry was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s several years ago.
“I was a member of the group when Larry was in the late stages of the disease, (and) I am now a co-facilitator with Joyce Winget,” Sanders said. “Having a safe place to share your feelings was the biggest help to me.
“When you have answered the same question innumerable times and your loved one keeps asking, it is hard to have patience at times. The people in the group know exactly what you are talking about and often can contribute ideas as to how to cope. The group was certainly helpful to me when I was discouraged. I was hesitant at first but soon realized that people had such compassion and understanding.”
“Our group is truly a special group of people,” Winget said. “We care a lot about each other and respect the privacy of this meeting being a safe place to talk and to know it will be kept confidential.
“We usually start the meeting by reading an excerpt from one of our favorite books. It often breaks the ice. We then all introduce ourselves if we have someone new and then go back and give each person a chance to share their story, concerns, frustrations and anything they have found that works. Lots of listening occurs but also lots of sharing of what has worked and what has not.”
Sanders said she would often get frustrated when her husband insisted they were late for or missing a sporting event, even when none was scheduled.
“Larry loved the Orrville Red Riders,” she said. “The group helped me come up with some answers that worked such as ‘the game has been rescheduled as there was a problem with the gym lights’ or ‘no game today due to the rain.’”
The group also has had meetings about practical issues caregivers may need to know. One program involved an attorney who offered suggestions on legal matters that need to be addressed when you have a family member with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Members of the group also offer practical advice and share experiences with doctors, nursing homes, memory care, home health aides, family members and memory day care centers.
If someone can’t make the meeting times or wants a place to start with finding needed support, Sanders suggested the website of the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.
“I also follow a group on Facebook, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers Support, that has given me ideas and support,” Sanders said. “Many have found that reading and gaining knowledge about what you are facing is a bonus. Your local library has many books that one could read to gain more insight.”
Those interested in learning more about the group may call or email Laura Cosentino at 234-414-0036 or lacosentino@alz.org.