Dementia program will be insightful
To the Editor:
Each week I look forward to reading a copy of your newspaper. The stories, articles, op-ed pieces, letters, announcements and other items of interest are vital links in the communication networks here in our southwestern mountains. Thank you for your consistency, pursuit of truth in proper contexts, persistence and commitment to accuracy.
As one approaches senior adulthood, one of the greatest fears that many share is the fear of developing some form of dementia. The possibility of living in the final stages of life, dealing with the challenges of cognitive decline and impairment, is not a topic that is easily embraced by most everyone. If the journey becomes personal the strategies for living with dementia become frightening. The person questions quality of life and relationships, changes in behavior and the abilities to adapt and adjust as needed, functional limitations and living status and so much more. For families, friends and other connections with the person making the journey shaped by dementia, the whole dynamic of relationships must be in constant change as the dementia progresses.
In an effort to have a meaningful, factual and evidence-based discussion, a presentation entitled “Dementia and the Family” is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 25, from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Haywood Senior Resource Center (81 Elmwood Way, Waynesville). The session will be led by Dr. Harvey Joanning, Ph. D.
Dr. Joanning is an emeritus professor at Iowa State University and an adjunct professor of the University of South Alabama where he directs the Neurobiology of Relationships program. He is licensed as a psychologist and marriage and family counselor. Dr. Joanning has assisted numerous families dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, and cared for his wife and daughter who died of alzheimer’s disease.
During the presentation, Dr. Joanning will briefly describe how the process of dementia affects neurons and brain structures, review the stages of the disease focusing on physical, behavioral and emotional changes occurring in the patient, discuss family and caregiver needs during each stage of the disease and resources available to support the patient and family. The presentation will be interactive in nature with time given for questions and answers.
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The presentation is free and open to the public.
Larry Alan Reeves
Clyde
