Group hears how to communicate with Alzheimer's patients

Local family members and other caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease and dementia had access to a network of assistance and instruction Tuesday and Wednesday.

Alzheimer's Association reports that 1 in 3 seniors in the United States dies of Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, and 16.1 million caregivers provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer's or a dementia.

These numbers are the driving force behind the formation of the Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group, facilitated by Angela McGillivray of Angel Care LLC in Havre, and the Alzheimer's education presentations hosted by a partnership with the investment firm Edward Jones, Alzheimer's Association and Northern Montana Hospital.

"I definitely think the more education and support around it the better," said Jennifer Tilleman, financial advisor for Edward Jones in Havre and the local ambassador of the Alzheimer's Association.

The support group met for the first time Tuesday to give local caregivers a network of people - who are going through similar circumstances or who have dealt with it in the past - with whom to share not just problems but also experiences, resources and possible solutions, the group members said.

Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group will meet the fourth Tuesday of each month 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Havre-Hill County Library.

Wednesday's educational presentation at Northern Montana Hospital was the second presentation this year.

Covering communication with those with Alzheimer's, presenter Whitney Thompson, director of Program Services for the Montana Chapter of Alzheimer's Association, stressed three elements: that progression of the disease and family circumstances share similarities, but in the end, are all unique; caregivers need to talk to people with Alzheimer's on the patient's level, which changes sometimes daily, and respect is essential.

Attendees posed questions to, and received advice and resource information from, Thompson and other caregivers.

Information and resources on communication and other topics can be found at alz.org/.

More presentations will be organized in 2019, Tilleman said, adding that she also is hoping to organize a group to participate in the annual Alzheimer's support walk in Great Falls and to do some local fundraising.

Edward Jones, in the region from Havre to Kalispell to Great Falls, raised $25,000 last year, and nationally the company hopes to raise $4 million, for Alzheimer's research, Tilleman said.

The money was raised through fundraisers and donations from local financial advisors.

"The thing is, is that Edward Jones started back in the early 1900s and our clients have grown with us over the years, and when we're talking about 1 in 3 people (who will develop Alzheimer's or a dementia) this is 1 in 3 of our people. So it affects people we've partnered with all throughout their life," Tilleman said, adding "And a disease like this can really take away not just memories, but also the hopes and dreams they had for their families."

See more on caregiving for people with Alzheimer's disease in the January issue of Living Magazine.