One of the greatest strengths of Meadowlark Hills is the warm community that exists here. I believe that a healthy community is able to gain information about relevant issues, respond to change, and act in a way reflective of the values it holds. Earlier this month, I attended a training session about Alzheimer’s disease and want to share some of the information I learned with you, so that we can better care for each other and be an even stronger community.

On Aug. 1, Laci Cornelison, a staff member at the Kansas State University Center on Aging, spoke to a group of Meadowlark Hills employees about Alzheimer’s disease. Laci, who has a master’s in gerontology and a bachelor’s in social work from K-State, is a licensed adult care home administrator and worked at Meadowlark Hills for four years. The Alzheimer’s Association defines dementia as “a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life.” Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia and “causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior.” Laci shared that 5.2 million people over the age of 85 have Alzheimer’s disease. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease may include word finding difficulty, trouble remembering names, trouble with planning and organizing, changes in mood, and becoming increasingly withdrawn. Since this disease worsens over time, other symptoms arrive gradually, including confusion about what day or time it is, assistance needed in dressing and toileting, changes in sleep patterns, and changes in personality. 

Amidst these changes, people with Alzheimer’s disease continue to communicate emotionally. It can be helpful as caregivers and community members to know that your tone of voice and body language are very important when communicating with someone with Alzheimer’s disease. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but resources are available for those affected. At Meadowlark Hills, I lead a memory support group for those with different levels of memory loss who are looking for support and time to reminisce about their lives. This group meets Wednesdays at 10 a.m. in the West Conference Room. Susan Peterson at The Riley County Senior Service Center in Manhattan holds a support group for caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease on the second and fourth Monday of the month at 1:30 p.m. My goal is to begin a similar support group at Meadowlark Hills this fall and to continue to create an informed, caring community.