Alzheimer’s Support Meeting,

Dialog With Docs Planned

SOUTHBURY — An open and on-going support group for friends and family of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is being offered by Brownstein Jewish Family Service and the Lutheran Home of Southbury.

The next meeting takes place at 1:30 pm Thursday, January 8, in the library at the Federation, Jewish Communities of Western CT, 444 Main Street North.

Facilitator Edie Hardwick, program manager for the Scattering the Clouds Program of the Lutheran Home in Southbury, explains that, “This will be a time for people dealing with these issues to get together to meet, share concerns, get to know one another, learn how to deal with certain problems and receive support from each other.”

Ms Hardwick noted that Scattering the Clouds, an outreach service of the Lutheran Home, offers free education and care management to families who have a loved one with dementia.

In related news, on Wednesday, January 14, at 2 pm, “Dialogue With the Docs” features psychiatrist Charles Atkins, presenting highlights from his latest book, The Alzheimer’s Answer Book. This free talk is sponsored by Brownstein Jewish Family Service and takes place at the Federation, as well.

This program may be especially important and helpful for caregivers and families touched by Alzheimer’s and dementia, who face a seemingly overwhelming number of emotional decisions.

The Alzheimer’s Answer Book serves as a much-needed resource for them in this difficult time and is full of the sound advice and immediate guidance they need. Following his presentation, Dr Atkins will take questions from the audience, and signed books will be available for purchase.

Dr Atkins is a board-certified psychiatrist and author who began his career working in geriatrics. He maintains a clinical faculty appointment at Yale University and is an attending physician at Waterbury Hospital.

He is the author of several psychological thrillers, The Bipolar Disorder Answer Book, as well as hundreds of articles and columns. Written by an experienced doctor who began his career as a geriatric psychiatrist, The Alzheimer’s Answer Book covers such topics as:

*What are the causes of Alzheimer’s and dementia?

*What preparations do I need to make immediately after diagnosis?

*Are there medications available that help slow the progress of the disease?

*How can I tell if my parent is in pain?

*How can I avoid “caregiver burnout” when I’m constantly caring for a parent?

*Where can I find resources and support in my community?

*What are the differences between Medicare and Medicaid, and how do I know what insurance will and will not cover?

The snow date for the Dr Atkins talk is January 28 at 2 pm. Seating is limited for the lecture, so call 203-267-3177, extension 105, for reservations or information about all Federation programs.