Worcester Business Journal

8 Worcester Business Journal | September 25, 2023 | wbjournal.com BY EMILY MICUCCI D ementia is a disease of aging that is, for many, the most frightening. Pa- tients lose their sense of agency, and oen become totally dependent on others for daily care. Personalities change, and people have emotional outbursts and constant needs, said Kathleen Walker, director of Memory Care at e Overlook, a Charl- ton retirement community offering a range of living options for aging people. Yet dementia care is Walker's passion. She le behind a banking career to work in marketing at an assisted living facility years ago and eventually moved into an activities management position. Even- tually, Walker found herself working in memory care for people with different forms of dementia, whether vascular, Lewy body disease, or Alzheimer's dis- ease, the most common form. "I feel like I've been given a special gi to help this population," Walker said, adding that her connection to care- givers and patients alike is her niche. A roadmap Alzheimer's disease – the biggest subset of dementia in the United States – is a force to be reckoned with for the healthcare system, communities, patients, and families. According to the Alzheimer's Association, 130,000 people aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease in Massachusetts, and 213,000 family caregivers shoulder the responsibility of their care, repre- senting 308 million hours of unpaid care annually. In 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 5.8 million Americans were living with Alzheimer's disease, and that number is expected to nearly triple by 2060. State and federal agencies have re- sponded with plans mapping out goals and initiatives to increase awareness and support for the aging population suffer- ing from Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. e Healthy Brain Initiative Roadmap, a collaboration of state and federal partners, puts forth a frame- work for early detection, risk reduction, caregiver workforce development, and community engagement. As a result, local programs aimed at dementia care outreach are increasing in number. Walker pointed to demen- tia awareness programs like Dementia Friendly Charlton, part of a statewide initiative, as evidence that public advo- cacy and support are growing. Even places like e Overlook, which are private-pay facilities for residents, offer community outreach. Walker said a monthly free Memory Cafe is a much needed social outlet for the public deal- ing with dementia. While all-consuming for people with- out funds for care in an assisted living facility or regular in-home care, Walker said a dementia diagnosis shouldn't steal all of a family's joy. Memory cafes, usu- ally events that last about an hour and provide some form of entertainment like music, are increasing in Massachu- setts, Walker said. It's an opportunity to enjoy something fun with loved ones with dementia, in a no-judgment zone. "We need to try to find the glimmer of light that still exists within people with dementia, and capitalize on it," Walker said. "And the caregiver needs support so badly. ey don't always say it." Recognizing dementia Repeating the same story or question, difficulty with everyday tasks, difficulty joining or maintaining a conversation, getting lost, personality changes, confu- sion about time and place, or troubling behavior such as neglecting grooming or poor judgment in handling money can all be warning signs of the onset of dementia. It is important to note the more in- telligent a person is, the easier it will be for them to mask symptoms. Changes in personality and behavior are important signals that a loved one is struggling with brain function. Identifying a memory-related illness is just one step in the journey to provide care and comfort. Talk to others Unless you have daily contact with an aging family member, it is possible others are in a better position to look for warning signs. And that's OK. Do not rule out the possibility a coworker, friend, or neighbor might be more at- tuned to abnormal changes in behavior and cognitive function. If you are concerned, seek medical help. As with any disease, early detec- tion is important in developing a treat- ment plan and finding ways to improve quality of life. Activity matters Suffering from dementia can oen lead a person to withdraw from activities that have previously been important. Social isolation can lead to depression, which causes additional challenges in care. Engaging in physical and mental activities, combined with healthy eating, can lower the risks of dementia and can keep your loved one suffering from de- It's a hard road, but community support is increasing for those facing dementia SENIOR RESOURCE GUIDE Brain-stimulating activities Some of the more popular dementia-fighting activities recommended for seniors include: • Brain games: Crosswords and sudoku, Scrabble, card games, chess and checkers, board games, puzzles, online video, and digital games • Reading and writing: Daily read- ing, book clubs, journaling, writing a memoir, and handwriting cards and letters • Arts and crafts: Painting and drawing, sewing and needlepoint, woodworking, scrapbooks and albums, holiday crafts, jewelry mak- ing, and compiling recipes • Learning new skills: Taking a class, learning a language, pho- t o g r a p h y, n e w t e c h n o l o g i e s , online lectures and programs, and birdwatching • Music and dancing: Listening to music, singing, learning or playing an instrument, dancing, attending music programs, and planning a music session with others • Exercise: Walking, stretching, yoga and tai chi, chair yoga, online exercise classes, dog walking, and gardening Source: homecareassistance.com The Overlook retirement community in Charlton PHOTO | COURTESY OF THE OVERLOOK

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