(18 Sep 2015) FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus038493
IT LOOKS AND SOUNDS LIKE A GATHERING OF OLD FRIENDS.
Nat sound: laughs
Nat sound: "Brats on the grill. We'll all be there kid."
BUT IT'S MUCH MORE –
Nat sound of Bernice Hinze: "I said, 'Are you OK but all he could say was 'Hmmmm.' I said 'Can you open your eyes?' And he couldn't open his eyes."
THIS SO CALLED "MEMORY CAFÉ" IS A SUPPORT AND SOCIAL GROUP FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA AND THOSE WHO CARE FOR THEM.
SOUNDBITE: Bernice Hinze, takes care of her husband with dementia.
"It lifts my spirits. It makes me have a better day for both of us."
WATERTOWN, WISCONSIN WAS ONE OF THE FIRST COMMUNITIES IN THE NATION TO POSITION ITSELF AS A "DEMENTIA FRIENDLY" CITY.
AN EFFORT SPEARHEADED BY A NURSE WORKING WITH A NONPROFIT THAT RUNS SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES IN WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA AND FLORIDA.
SOUNDBITE: Jan Zimmerman, director of dementia ministries for The Lutheran Home Association.
"Our goal is to help educate the community, help get rid of the stigma that is still associated with it and to create a community that those living with dementia are still a vital part of."
THAT INCLUDES TRAINING SESSIONS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THOSE WITH DEMENTIA. WATERTOWN HOPES TO HAVE 75 PERCENT OF LOCAL BUSINESSES TRAINED BY NEXT YEAR. THEY EACH GET TO DISPLAY A PURPLE ANGEL LIKE THIS. –
Nat sound "Whereas you have an hour meeting with somebody, normally you just go and you talk for this whole hour, you maybe want to talk for 10 minute and then give them a little break."
ATTORNEY TOM LEVI ATTENDED A RECENT CLASS.
SOUNDBITE (English), Tom Levi, estate planning attorney:
"I'm interested in helping them, keeping them independent and at the same time ensuring what they are interested in is actually going to be fulfilled."
FOR THOSE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA, HAVING AN ACCEPTING COMMUNITY IS IMPORTANT.
SOUNDBITE: Shirley Strysick, who has a form of Alzheimer's
"Everybody was very pleasant and I never heard anyone say, 'Well that's a stupid thing' or criticize you."
SIMILAR EFFORTS HAVE TAKEN ROOT IN DOZENS OF COMMUNITIES IN MINNESOTA. AND AGING AND DEMENTIA ADVOCACY GROUPS ARE LOOKING TO EXPAND THE EFFORT NATIONALLY.
Nat sound: Shirley Strysick: "That's ok. That's between you."
Nat sound: Bernice Hinze. "I still have him home."
Nat sound: Shirley Strysick: "That's between you and him and it's OK."
CARRIE ANTLFINGER, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
