The next Caregivers Coalition meeting on Tuesday, October 8 at 9:30 a.m. will be a presentation planned called “Hear Our Voices – Re-imagining Life with Dementia.” It will be led by Doreen Monks, RN, MSN, APN-BC advanced nurse practitioner, formerly program director for the Stroke Program at St. Barnabas Medical Center and Mary Beth Kane, CALA/CTRS, senior care counselor at Arbor Terrace in Morris Plains.
The prevailing perception of dementia is as a condition marked by deficits and decline, and that nothing can be done. One of the most common misperceptions is assuming everyone with dementia is living with advanced symptoms rather than understanding there are many types of dementia besides Alzheimer’s and that symptoms evolve over time. People who have dementia often describe feeling isolated. They are hungry for hope even when there is no cure.
There is another side. Learning how others are living well with dementia can be a powerful, inspiring and supportive experience. This presentation will also identify what our community can be doing to support those living with dementia.
The meeting will be held in the ballroom of the Verona Community Center.
The United Way of Northern New Jersey‘s Caregivers Coalition provides free seminars to help unpaid caregivers get information and the support they need in their caregiving role. The Coalition brings together caregivers, medical professionals, social service agencies, businesses, and other community groups to support unpaid family caregivers in suburban Essex County.
The presentation is free. For more information on the program and the Caregivers Coalition, call 973-993-1160, extension 209.
