Much Needed Alzheimer's Support Group Starting in Skokie
A new support group for individuals caring for a family member or friend with Alzheimer's disease or dementia is starting in Skokie this March. The support group is affiliated with and supervised by the Alzheimer's Association. Leaders of the support group completed a mandatory facilitator training provided by the Alzheimer's Association and report back to them on a monthly basis.
The support group will hold its first meeting on March 2nd, 2010 at the office of Home Instead Senior Care, 8816 Bronx Ave, Skokie IL. Meetings will take place the first Tuesday of every month, but are subject to change.
Alzheimer's is a progressive and fatal brain disease that destroys brain cells, causing memory loss and problems with thinking and behavior. According to the National Alzheimer's Association, this sickness currently affects as, many as 5.3 million Americans and accounts for 50-70% of dementia cases. The disease progresses with time and is the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States.
Caring for someone with Alzheimer's is not an easy task. Loved ones must endure high levels of stress and have immense patience. In many cases extreme worry, feelings of isolation and self neglect can cause permanent damage to the caregivers and loved ones.
The Skokie area office of Home Instead Senior Care, the world's largest provider of non-medical home care and companionship for older adults, recognized the need to support those caring for someone with Alzheimer's. Recognizing that Skokie was among one of the only North Shore suburbs without an Alzheimer's support group, Community Service Representatives Kristina Turk and Stephanie Smart, took it upon themselves to be trained by the National Alzheimer's Association in facilitating a support group.
"Working on a daily basis with families affected by the disease and seeing it change their lives really encouraged us to do something," said Kristina Turk of Home Instead Senior Care. "We thought that by offering a support group in Skokie that we would be giving those in the area an option to let go of some stress and meet others in the community that are dealing with similar situations."
For more information regarding the support group or its facilitator please call 847-673-1250 or email Stephanie Smart at ssmart@homeinstead.com. For more information on support groups or Alzheimer's Disease visit the Alzheimer's Association website: http://www.alzheimers-illinois.org/support_groups/ .
*** WE WILL ALSO BE STARTING A SUPPORT GROUP IN THE DOWNTOWN CHICAGO AREA IN THE SPRING. CHECK BACK SOON FOR MORE INFORMATION.***
