SENIOR

C2 THE SHERIDAN PRESS www.thesheridanpress.com SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 2016 Dementia friends: Building a dementia friendly community BY LOIS BELL metaphor describes one In Sheridan County, a SHERIDAN SENIOR CENTER symptom of Alzheimer’s dementia friendly commu- dementia. nity movement is emerging. SHERIDAN — Imagine Dementias have varying The movement solidified that your memories are like symptoms depending on after five weeks of collabo- books on a shelf. Your ear- which part of the brain is rative community conver- liest memories in childhood affected. Alzheimer’s has sation last fall. As a direct are books at the bottom. become well-known with the result of that dialogue, five As you grow, your book- recognizable signs of short- initiatives were launched to shelf builds with your most term memory loss with transform Sheridan County recent memories on the other symptoms emerging into a dementia friendly top shelves with each book as Alzheimer’s dementia community. The mission: representing a fact, event or progresses. build an informed commu- memory. Currently, one in five nity where those living with Now imagine that your families is dealing with dementia and their care tall bookshelf of life memo- some form of dementia. It is partners are respected and ries becomes wobbly. Books projected that in 10-15 years, supported, continuing to from the upper shelves one in two families will live with meaning, value fall off and your memories be affected by dementia in and dignity. begin to drop away. This some way. “It’s a community that is welcoming to everyone and touching every sector of our community,” said Kay Wallick, a colleague in COURTESY PHOTO | Dementia Friends one of the five dementia friendly com- Heather Comstock shares what it means to be a Dementia Friend to an audience at the Senior munity initiatives. Center’s “When I’m 64…or more” community presentation on June 7. Comstock is a member of a What is a dementia friend? movement initiated through the Center for a Vital Community to transform Sheridan County into a The initiative’s goal is to dementia friendly community. increase public understand- ing about dementia and reduce any stigma for those ity asking for help is harder that define if a community munity life that welcomes living with or those caring than it sounds. Depression is dementia friendly. The and involves every one. for those with dementia. and isolation are two of the first is to raise widespread The Dementia Friends Dementia Friends offers free most serious components awareness and transform team is now beginning to public education on what for those living with and attitudes about dementia take their message public dementia is, how to commu- caring for others through- and move people to action. to Sheridan communities. nicate and support someone out the dementia journey.” “I am particularly sen- One community presenta- with dementia, turn under- Comstock is on staff with sitive to those that equate tion was on June 7 at the standing into action, and the Senior Center’s Family their self-worth by their Sheridan Senior Center offer steps to becoming a Caregiver Services. mental acuity,” Comstock through the Center’s month- part of a community-based “The heart of this com- said. “We realize that there ly “When I’m 64…or more” network in neighborhoods, munity effort is creating a is a serious social stigma free monthly life learning workplaces and commu- broader support system that around losing your memory lecture series. nities. Anyone of any age offers resources to current or other cognitive abilities. Even in its infant phase, can be a Dementia Friend. caregivers and their loved Those living with dementia the initiative is touching A Dementia Friend can be ones, while reaching out and their caregivers are not lives and making connec- as simple as learning what to those that have not yet alone.” tions. dementia is. accessed services but need Another element is to “We’re finding people “Those living with demen- them,” Wallick said. have supportive options that who were hidden before,” tia and their caregivers who Currently there are many foster quality of life for per- Wallick said. “Hopefully are dealing with the com- resources for caregivers sons touched by the disease people won’t be afraid and plex and time consuming through the Sheridan Senior and for their caregivers and will be willing to talk about challenges of daily stress Center and through private- families. A third element it.” often find it difficult to ly owned businesses. The is to engage and include For support or to schedule articulate their needs,” said movement wants to expand people from diverse commu- a Dementia Friends pre- Dementia Friend volunteer those supports. nities. The fourth element is sentation, contact Heather Heather Comstock. “In real- There are four elements to create and promote com- Comstock at 675-1978.

CENTER STAGE | Thank you Rita Hayworth

y mother is an avid movie buff. in 1980, a name was given to Rita’s Until then, we have a unique oppor- Mom knows so much about the demon: Alzheimer’s. tunity in Sheridan to understand Mactors of the 1930s, 1940s and German physician Alois Alzheimer what dementia is and to help those 1950s, their personal lives, how had identified the disease in 1906 who are living with dementia. many times they were married and on when he correctly diagnosed a 40-year- It’s not just the person with demen- occasion, their life struggles. old woman with the disease. But tia who lives with dementia but also Mom told me about Rita Hayworth. Alzheimer’s had been forgotten by the the people around them who support For those who don’t know, Rita medical community until the 1970s. and care for them. Hayworth was a glamorous film star. After 20 years, in 1980, Hayworth was Last fall, the Center for a Vital Her film career began in the 1930s and correctly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Community launched dialogue on peaked during the dementia ending a two-decade tortu- transforming Sheridan County into a 1940s and 1950s. She ous journey for her and her family. dementia friendly community. What was drop-dead beau- Mom tells me that Rita Hayworth’s would that look like? Five initiatives tiful and Columbia popularity propelled widespread emerged from that dialogue and work Studios did not awareness of Alzheimer’s dementia. is underway. The initiatives are hesitate to promote I admit that I truly didn’t understand taking their infant steps but look for her and publish her fully about Alzheimer’s — or demen- great transformation from their work glam-photos. She tia for that matter. I could hardly pro- and more information to come. was a 1940s pin-up nounce the name Alzheimer’s correct- So, what’s the message for now? LOIS girl. I’m sure a num- ly without practice. But what a relief Please ask for help if you are caring BELL ber of World War it must have been to Hayworth’s fami- for someone with dementia or suspect II veterans had her ly to have a name for her condition. It dementia may be in your circle. Talk | pin-up poster. Rita’s had to be eye-opening for millions of with your family, friends and medical life was constantly other families when they heard about professionals. in the public spot- Rita. How dark and scary a journey Need some direction? Call Heather light. it is for someone who does not have a Comstock at the Sheridan Senior During the 1960s, Hayworth began name to the demons that invade their Center at 675-1978. Heather and others having trouble remembering her lives. are in the thick of the movement. lines. Heavy drinking was attributed Understanding about dementia has And thank you to the beautiful as the reason. She was prone to angry increased since the 1970s. There are Rita Hayworth who not only gave us outbursts that made international many types with different symptoms. a body of film work to cherish but news. In the 1970s, her condition wors- But there’s still much work to do. who guided us to recognizing Dr. ened. It had to be devastating for her My friend, Heather Comstock, elo- Alzheimer’s discovery that affects family and those around her. quently said that we are now a gen- so many. You can better deal with a Hayworth needed money and tried eration having to come to terms with demon with a name. to continue acting but her condition dementia, that we are still “newbies” worsened so much that she was forced in our collective understanding. I read to retire. She never returned to acting. that with so many more individuals For almost 20 years, the glamorous living into their 90s, the medical com- LOIS BELL is the communications director at the Senior Center. pin-up girl Rita Hayworth was blasted munity is researching if the increase Center Stage is written by friends of the Senior Center for the in the media for her outbursts and in dementia is a natural part of aging Sheridan Community. It is a collection of insights and stories related tagged with alcoholic dementia. Then, or if it is attributed to other reasons. to living well at every age. SENIOR CENTER HAPPENINGS |

• Caring for a loved one in the information, call or contact Michelle Upcoming dates are: June 23; July 7 Tongue River Valley? Would you Keller, TRV Program Director for the and 19; and Aug. 1 and 24. For more like to know resources are available Sheridan Senior Center at 655-9419. information, call Jean Harm at the to help you? A Caregiver Support • The Sheridan Community Land Sheridan Senior Center, 672-2240. Group meets on the second and Trust has partnered with the Senior • Knitting classes with Donna on fourth Tuesday of each month at Center to offer six hikes this sum- Thursdays, June 16 – July 28, from 1 p.m. at the Tongue River Valley mer. There will not be a charge. 1-3 p.m. in the Sheridan Senior Community Center in Dayton. Please Folks will meet at the Senior Center Center’s Art Studio. Suggested con- stop by. There is no charge and walk- at 9 a.m. and proceed to the hike sites tribution is $5 per session paid to the ins are always welcome. For more by carpool or own transportation. instructor.