BRATTLEBORO — On Wednesday, March 9, the first in a series of three programs dealing with dementia will be offered in the Wellness in Windham County Spring 2011 calendar. Sponsored by Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and Grace Cottage Hospital, the program will be held in the new BMH Brew Barry Conference Center from 7 to 9 p.m.
The first program in the series, “Dementia's Impact on Patients and Families,” will be presented by Robert Backus, MD. Dr. Backus is board certified in family practice and geriatrics, and is on the medical staff of both hospitals. He will explain the various causes and effects of dementia and will offer information about resources and treatments that can help the whole family cope.
When an elder in the family begins to show frequent signs of forgetfulness, other family members naturally begin to worry. Is it dementia, or is it something else? Alzheimer's is just one type of dementia; each type has somewhat different causes and symptoms. The more caregivers know about the signs and common progression of these various types of dementia, the better prepared they can be to care for their loved one and, in the process, themselves.
On Monday, March 21, 7-9 p.m., a program on ways to ward off dementia will be presented by BMH physiologist Jeff Harr, RCEP, and Vickie Wilk, APRN, CS. Wilk is a clinician with Otter Creek /Matrix Health, and with Harr will give a talk called “Helping Prevent Dementia with Good Nutrition and Mind and Body Exercises.”
BMH Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist Jeff Harr, coordinator of the BMH Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab Program, will discuss the importance of keeping the body fit to help keep the mind functioning well. Nutrition and exercising for good health will be addressed by Harr, using his knowledge about exercise recommended for people with heart and lung health issues. Harr will also talk about how good nutrition is imperative for general good health, including providing the brain with nutrients to help preclude dementia.
Vickie Wilk, psychiatric nurse practitioner with Matrix Health System, will give attendees some exercises to help keep the mind sharp and explain how and why they work. In addition to being associated with Otter Creek, Wilk consults with dementia patients at Vernon Green Nursing Home. She is also in private practice. Wilk will address some of the recent attempts toward future prevention of dementia.
The last program in the dementia series is “Living With Memory Loss: Maximizing Independence”. It will be presented on Monday, March 28, 7-8:30 p.m., by Claire Markey, BMH Speech/Language Pathologist, MSCCC. The presenter works with both inpatients and outpatients with speech issues. In tandem with those issues often is cognitive therapy, as can happen with strokes and other causes of these problems.
This program will offer every day practical suggestions for those living with dementia and memory issues. In addition, strategies to help improve memory will be discussed. The goal of this session is to maximize personal independence at home, work, and in community settings. The presentation is appropriate for people with memory deficits as well as their family, caregivers, and friends. Come to this engaging session to help you learn ways for you or a loved one to remain independent.
To register for these free sessions, call 802-257-8877.