Your Letters for Sept. 12

Come out and support the Walk to End Alzheimer's

September 20th is the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. It is a time to raise awareness for the need for more research for the cure and support for caregivers. This cause is personal for me as a caregiver for my husband who has Amyloid plaque on his brain causing Alzheimer’s (dementia). He was diagnosed with the disease in 2018. He was 58 years old. Bernie retired after 38 years at Missouri American Water Co.

Many of you may have seen the interview with Bruce Willis’ wife.

Her main focus was about caregivers. On average, the caregiver takes care of dementia patients for 4-8 years following diagnosis. Caregivers are often stretched thin, overwhelmed, and more often, isolated. The challenge of living with memory loss can sever social connections at a time when it is most needed. They need support from family and friends. Reach out. Pick up the telephone, send a funny card, bring lunch in if they are homebound or take them to lunch or for a walk if they can free themselves up.

Early on, I reached out to the Alzheimer’s Association and Brenda Gregg recommended the Memory Cafe, a group that supports each other and shares information about their own journeys. I look forward to these gatherings that Mosaic Life Care Hospice and the Northwest MO Alzheimer’s Association make possible. They provide many resources and our open sharetime is a way to inform others and also, most importantly, reach out for support.

I can proud to say I have not only my family. I have my Memory Cafe family who have been a great support system for me and I have dear friendships.

So, come out Saturday, September 20, and support the Walk to End Alzheimer's. We meet at the casino, by the river, starting at 9 a.m. to sign in and donate. But, you do not have to donate to be in the walk. The walk begins at 10 a.m. and you walk along the river by Remington Nature Center. You can walk as far as you wish or not at all… Just hang out. There will be information booths and much more.

Our Memory Cafe support group meets the second Thursday of each month at Ashland United Methodist Church from 10-11:30 a.m. No reservations are necessary. Questions? Call 816-271-7068.

Your loved one can have one of several forms of dementia. The most common is Alzheimer’s, but there are many more. Vascular dementia, Frontal Temporal disease, Parkinson’s disease, cognitive impairment, and more.

Jaime Meyer
St. Joseph