Dementia Dialogues

Do you work with or take care of someone with dementia?  One of the most effective ways to treat the care receiver is to provide help, education, and support for the caregiver.  Come to this free course...

Dementia Dialogues

Thursdays, February 12 - March 12, 2015

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

at St Mark's United Methodist Church

616 Quincy Rd., Seneca

Dementia Dialogues is a 5 part learning experience designed to educate individuals who care for persons who exhibit signs and symptoms associated with Alzheimer's Disease or related dementias. Each session is approximately one and one half hours in length. This program is offered at no cost to participants through the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina and the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Below is a list of what we cover in each of the five sessions:


1. The Basic Facts, and introduction to dementia


2. Keeping the Dialogue Going: Talking to people with dementia


3. Environment and safety issues, eating, bathing


4. Challenging Behaviors: wandering, incontinence, sundowning


5. More Challenging Behaviors: repetitive behaviors, yelling, agitation, rummaging, etc.

The class is free. Registration, although not required, is recommended. Email name and phone number to elehmacher@gmail.com.

Participants can attend only one (or a few) of the sessions. Previous sessions are not a prerequisite. Caregivers who need care for a person with dementia may call the Alzheimer's Association to request a free caregiver at: 800-272-3900. (Please call at least 2 weeks in advance.)



During class, another group will be offered for care recipients offering activities for people with early or mid-stage dementia led by Dr. Cheryl Dye and Clemson University students. Board games, drawing, and music will be used to stimulate brain function and improve mood. Room for 10 participants is available. Email tcheryl@clemson.edu to reserve a spot in the care recipient group.

What causes people to be healthier?

Dr. Kelly Turner, author of Radical Remission, discovered that cancer patients who experienced radical remission of cancer had the following factors in common:
1.  Radically changing your diet
2. Taking control of your health
3.  Following your intuition
4.  Using herbs and supplements (under doctor's supervision)
5. Increasing positive emotions
6. Embracing social support
7. Deepening your spiritual connection
8. Having strong reasons for living
Dr. Kelly interviewed numerous cancer survivors and identified more than 75 factors that they used as part of their healing journey.  The eight above were listed by nearly all survivors, making them the most significant.  (See her book for more information on each factor and her research.)

Whether or not you have cancer, the above factors may be a good way for you to be healthier and happier.  Consider writing a list of them and hanging it somewhere you'll see it often (your computer's desktop or screen saver, the bathroom mirror, over the kitchen sink).  Then start to notice which areas you need most to work on.  And begin to make changes.

For example, #6.  In a world increasing dominated by the media, social networking, and technology, some people feel isolated.  Family support and friends from younger years often live many miles away. We need to generate our own base of support locally and find ways to reconnect with those who live further away.  Finding friends who will support you includes being able to share with people who are safe your struggles, hopes, dreams, problems, and fears.  Choose people who won't judge you or solve your problems, but will rather listen to you and support your choices.  And be a support system for them as well.  Before tragedy strikes you or your family, accept support of friends, be willing to be vulnerable (with safe people), and provide support to those in your community.  In so doing you create for yourself a healthier community.