Support is Helping Catholic Eldercare Families Through Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Catholic Eldercare has formed a Dementia Alzheimer’s Support Group to support spouses, siblings, adult children, grandchildren, and friends of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Certified Dementia Specialist Emma Levitt, LSW, CDS, facilitates the group. Emma is also a granddaughter who, alongside her mother, navigated the physical and emotional stress of her grandmother’s Alzheimer’s. Emma says, “It’s scary to go through it, and it can be comforting to know that other people are experiencing the same things.”

As a social worker on the memory care floor of the Albert J. Hofstede Care Center, Emma has seen families gravitate towards each other for support, asking questions, and exchanging contact information. “A common thread is the stigma about no longer caring for a loved one at home. Family caregivers often feel guilty about seeking memory care,” Emma explains. “People have told me they feel like they’re breaking a promise or giving up. After attending our support group, people feel better about it as they realize that it makes it possible for them to step out of the caregiver role and return to being a wife, husband, daughter, or son.”

 Emma touches on some of the common topics in the CEC support group: 

1. Dementia is common, but people rarely talk about it
   “It’s helpful to talk with other people about the challenges of supporting a loved one with dementia because they’re most likely facing the same challenges. This allows you to get support, share what’s working and not working, and learn new coping strategies.” 
2. The difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia can be confusing 
   We invite you to read our Get the Facts on Memory Loss article for this information.
3. I feel like I need to visit my dad every day
   “Take breaks because you can’t support your dad if you’re not caring for yourself.  We love our residents, take good care of them, and assure them they’re safe, so don’t worry when you’re away.”
4. My loved one continually asks me to take them home
   “This is common, making family members feel like they’ve failed their loved ones. Try planning your visits before a meal or activity because it gives you a way out and gives them something new to focus on. Note that our staff never tells a resident that CEC is their home. Instead, they use their training and ask them what they miss about home.”
5. My mom has always been kind, but now she’s angry.
   “This is dementia talking, not your mom. It’s a failure of the brain that can also cause people to strike out at the people they love most. If your mom is experiencing hallucinations and delusions, our medical team may recommend medication if they think it will benefit your loved one. Know that we’re here to support you through it all.”
   
   We invite you to join our support group, which meets on the second Thursday of the month from 2 to 3 p.m. For more information, call Emma at 612-362-2408 or email her at elevitt@catholiceldercare.org. If you can’t participate in our group, we’re happy to provide other resources. We also encourage you to talk to friends and family about the challenges of loving someone with dementia so they can provide support.