Alzheimer's education meeting, support group, set in August

After a tremendously successful meeting held in Havre in February to help people learn how to detect if someone is developing Alzheimer’s disease, a second educational meeting is set this month, the day after a support group meets for the first time.

Jennifer Tilleman of Edward Jones Investments, who is the local ambassador for the Montana Alzheimer’s Association, said the February meeting filled the conference rooms used at Northern Montana Hospital.

“So I am hoping this event turns out just as well,” she said.

This month’s presentation about communicating with someone with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 29, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Northern Montana Hospital Third Floor Conference Room.

People are asked to RSVP for the meeting by calling the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 or emailing [email protected].

The night before, Tuesday, Aug. 28, a new Alzheimer’s support group will meet for the first time from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Havre-Hill County Library. The group will continue to meet the fourth Tuesday of each month.

Tilleman said Edwards Jones has partnered with Alzheimer’s associations to help increase awareness and provide services, including helping fund the Helpline, research and service, support and informational activities.

“Alzheimer’s and dementia can affect almost anybody and I have experienced it,” Tilleman said, adding, “And the fact is, there’s not much known about it and not a lot of resources.”

She said research has greatly increased understanding and treatment of cancers, heart disease and other illnesses, but not much has happened with Alzheimer’s.

“There’s a stigma with Alzheimer’s, and people don’t know much about it,” she said.

Even more distressing, she said, is that research estimates that in the aging population of the United States, 1 in 3 people will die while suffering from Alzheimer’s or other dementia.

The expense also will increase, Tilleman said. The estimate now is that in the last five years of their life, people with Alzheimer’s will spend an average of $287,000 in dealing with the disease. In 20 years that will increase to $750,000.

She said the more attention, understanding, funding and research that can be raised on Alzheimer’s, the better.

The success and interest from the previous meeting has helped lead to the efforts this month, she said.

“The drive and compassion of community partners and volunteers in Havre has led to the development of an upcoming education program and ongoing support group to help families address communication changes and other caregiving dynamics that can occur with dementia,” a press release said.

The release said this month’s presentation, Effective Communication Strategies, is a no-cost program provided by the Alzheimer’s Association in partnership with Edward Jones.

“The presentation will explore how communication takes place when someone has Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia,” the release said.

By the end of the program, attendees will be able to:

• Explain the communication changes that take place throughout the course of the disease.

• Decode the verbal and behavioral messages delivered by someone with dementia and respond in ways that are helpful to the person.

• Identify strategies to connect and communicate at each stage of the disease.

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Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s research, care and support.

Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Its vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. Visit http://www.alz.org/montana or call 800-272-3900.