LARSO NEWS
Sometimes you don’t know you are in over your head until you are, but David Davis, executive director of the Memory Care Alliance of Santa Fe, hopes to help you avoid the trip.
From 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 6, the Betty Ehart Senior Center, will begin offering a course that will continue for four weeks for those caring for people with Alzheimer’s on “Prepare to Care”.
The caregiver course will provide help with education and understanding about the disease, day to day care management, legal and financial challenges and more. Those with questions about how to shop for services like in-home care, residential care and hospice and creating a long-term plan should attend the free presentation.
Davis, who will teach the class, has heard feedback from many attendees of his course that it enabled them to care for a loved one with the dignity and respect they deserve, and that the class literally saved their life. Davis believes that with a true understanding of the disease, a caregiver can create a realistic plan for not only their loved-one, but for themselves.
“Every current or potentially future caregiver of someone living with Alzheimer’s or a related disease should attend the class,” said Davis. “This class is excellent for professional caregivers as well.”
He considers the class a game-changer, because caregiving is the hardest thing you will ever do. He also believes that, “With education, a plan and on-going support it will also be the most rewarding thing you will ever do.”
The class will benefit not just the person living with Alzheimer’s, but also for the caregiver. This can be the most important educational opportunity for any family member or professional caregiver. The class size is limited and spaces must be reserved by emailing director.memorycarealliance@gmail.com or calling (505) 310-9752.
Their mission of the alliance is to:
- provide pro-active comprehensive on-going support, education and resources for those families living with Alzheimer’s and all other dementia-related illnesses;
- to educate and raise community awareness concerning the level of need; and
- to remove the stigma associated with dementia-related illnesses and replace it with compassionate understanding.