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Date: 10/3/2023
CHICOPEE — A new monthly program at the Chicopee Council on Aging is serving both caregivers and their loved ones living with dementia.
The program, Memory Connections, has caregivers participating in a program led by Laura Lavoie, president and founder of Our Dementia Life. During this time, their loved ones who have dementia will spend time in an activity supervised by trained facilitators. The activities range from crafts, a walk, music and so on.
At 4 p.m. everyone comes together for an early dinner.
Each month there is a different topic for caregivers. For instance, during the first program on Sept. 6, the topic was dementia and vision changes. On Oct. 4, it was dementia and auditory challenges.
The program is set to take place on the first Wednesday of each month.
The staff at RiverMills Center developed the idea of Memory Connections after seeing an increase in the number of caregivers attending the center’s monthly Alzheimer’s Support Group, which meets the third Wednesday of each month from 2-3:30 p.m.
"We thought it would be a good idea to bring the caregivers and their loved ones with dementia together so the caregivers wouldn’t have to worry about getting someone to watch their loved ones while attending a meeting. This way, both groups are served," Holly Angelo, COA assistant director, said.
For one hour. caregivers learn a nww topic about dementia while their loved ones are being occupied by trained facilitators down the hall. After that hour, they come together for an early dinner.
Chicopee resident Al Murdock attends the program. Murdock’s wife was diagnosed in 2019 with frontal lobe dementia. “The dementia population is growing by leaps and bounds,” Murdock said.
With this new offering in Chicopee, he shared, “I can go and be with my wife … We’re all together.”
Angelo said the most recent meeting was attended by 10 caregivers and eight of their loved ones.
“As long as people show up, I think they’ll keep doing it,” he said.
The program, thanks to support by and parnership with Polish National Credit Union, WestMass Elder Care and Health New England, is free to participate.
Registration is required by stopping by RiverMills Center or calling 413-534-3698.