This evening, from 6:30 – 8:00 PM, we will host our first “Topsfield Younger Onset Caregiver Support Group,” co-sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association of MA/NH. Seven caregivers, under age 65, caring for a loved one with dementia, under age 65, have RSVP’d for the group. If you fit the description of this peer-group, and would like to join us, please simply call ahead to let me know you would like to come (978-887-4202). The maximum group size is 10 people and 10 cars.
If you fit the description of this peer-group, and are unable to join us on Thursday evenings because of another commitment, please know I am available to meet with you to listen and discuss your situation, by appointment, free-of-charge.
Today we will also begin to pilot a new Dementia-Caregiver Living History Museum and School. The first interactive exhibit is a 2-Year Planning Calendar. Part of the challenge when caregiving, is difficulty planning-ahead. The chosen exhibits will feature cultural artifacts from a real dementia-caregiver’s journey, and will relate to universal themes of dementia-caregiving. The Dementia-Caregiver Living History Museum and School will be a source of education and validation for dementia-caregivers future, present, and past (survivors), and will help to educate the general public about the dementia-caregiver experience. People not currently involved directly in dementia-caregiving, who experience The Dementia-Caregiver Living History Museum and School may find themselves more understanding, compassionate, and maybe even inspired to act, to become involved, to help, at a level that feels do-able, perhaps just one hour per month, or one hour per week.
Today marks a new phase of our growth and evolution. We are in our 7th year, turning over what was a painful dementia-care experience, into a nourishing environment for community, validation, education, skill-training, individual and group support, networking, hope, and healing.
Moving forward with a listening heart,
vision, inquiry, and action,
~ Mary