On the third Tuesday of the month beginning at 6 p.m., caregivers will meet for the Alzheimer’s Association’s support group. The next meeting will be held April 16. Facilitated by a trained leader, the group meets in the Community Room at Porter Regional Hospital, located at 85 East Highway 6 in Valparaiso.
This Alzheimer’s Association support group meets monthly to provide caregivers with an opportunity to share their experiences and receive support from others coping with Alzheimer’s disease. During the meetings, caregivers are encouraged to share information, give and receive support, and exchange coping experiences and strategies. Meetings are open to the public and facilitated by a trained professional and/or family member.
“It’s important for caregivers to remember that they are not alone on their journey through dementia caregiving. Support groups are a great way to meet other caregivers for advice and understanding,” said Kristi Ritchie of the Alzheimer’s Association.
There is no cost or commitment for caregivers to attend. For a full listing of all of the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indiana Chapter’s support groups, please visit www.alz.org/indiana or call the Helpline at 800-272-3900.
Today, more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, including 120,000 Hoosiers. Every 68 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s disease, making Alzheimer’s disease the sixth leading cause of death. The direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias amount to more than $200 billion annually.