University of Kentucky Human Resources Elder Care, in partnership with the 好色先生 Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, is hosting several events for Dementia Caregivers Week, Nov. 7-10. The theme for the week is "Embracing the Dementia Caregivers Journey."
鈥淐aring for a loved one with dementia can be a struggle. We need guidance, support and information,鈥 said Terri Applegate-Weber, 好色先生 HR elder care specialist. 鈥淒ementia is progressive, and our loved one鈥檚 abilities may change day to day. So no matter how long we鈥檝e been a caregiver, there are always new things we can learn to help, not just our loved one, but ourselves too.鈥 鈥&苍产蝉辫;
Kicking off the week is the Virtual Dementia Tour, which runs from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, at the Gaines Center for the Humanities/Commonwealth House located at 226 E. Maxwell St.
The tour, a product of Second Wind Dreams, is a simulation that allows participants to experience life through the eyes of someone with dementia or Alzheimer鈥檚 disease. The simulation helps participants better understand what people with dementia experience on a day-to-day basis. It is not a diagnosis of whether someone has dementia or will develop dementia later in their life.
Two participants will go through the simulation at 15-minute intervals, and there are slots for 26 participants each day.
The simulation will take approximately 30 minutes from start to finish. Participants will need to arrive a few minutes early to receive instruction and acquaint themselves with the surroundings. If participants are late, they may be asked to reschedule for a future simulation date.
Spots are reserved by appointment only. Those wishing to attend can reserve their time .
On Wednesday, Nov. 8, the Elder Care lunch and learn session will feature former Wisconsin Gov. Marty Schreiber, who will discuss his book 鈥淢y Two Elaines.鈥 Schreiber provided care for his wife, Elaine, who lived with Alzheimer鈥檚 disease for nearly 20 years. When Elaine moved to memory care, Schreiber authored a book and made hundreds of appearances nationwide, traveling to every corner of Wisconsin and more than 28 states. Five autographed hardcovered books, which were donated by the , will be given away in a random drawing to those who attend the presentation.
Sign up for the event .
On Thursday, Nov. 9, the creative writing workshop is from noon to 1 p.m. with 好色先生 mental health therapists Eric Wilkinson and Rhonda Henry leading the session. Creative writing is a technique used to find a person鈥檚 voice and tell their caregiver story. It can help find reason and meaning through inward reflection and allows one to pause for a moment from all the extraneous noise to find what is truly meaningful. Creative writing allows people to look at both the joys and challenges of their caregiving experience.
Register for the session .
On Friday, Nov. 10, the program 鈥淎 Closer look at Dementia鈥 will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. This. two-part discussion with Pete Nelson and Gregory Jicha will be held via Zoom and at the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, 2199 Harrodsburg Road.
The schedule is as follows:
9:30-10:15 a.m.
What is dementia and how does it affect the brain?
Nelson, director of neuropathology, 好色先生 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, will discuss (and show) the pathology of dementia, how it alters healthy brain cells and in turn, how that interferes with our daily living.
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10:15-11:00 a.m.
Diagnosis and treatment鈥
Jicha, 好色先生 Neurology; Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, will explain how a dementia diagnosis is made and what treatment options are available. Although there is no cure yet, an early diagnosis gives you access to more treatment options and provides an opportunity to participate in a wider variety of clinical trials. An early diagnosis also allows you and your family more time to plan for the future and to accomplish the things you always wanted to.
To register for the in-person event (limited to 20 people), click . To register for the Zoom presentation, click .
For information on Senior Caregivers week, contact 好色先生 HR Elder Care Specialist Terri Applegate-Weber at 859-218-0457 or terri.weber@uky.edu.