Helping caregivers connect with Alzheimer's disease

A new support system will soon be available for caregivers with loved ones suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Connections, a free eight-week in-home training program, was piloted through the University of Virginia and tested over a two-year period. Anyone is eligible to participate in the program regardless of the degree of dementia or Alzheimer’s they have.

Developed by Ellen Phipps, a Recreation Therapist, the primary purpose of Connections is to support care giving families and increase the quality of life for a person with Alzheimer’s or dementia.  A Connections specialist — there are three — visits caregiver homes once per week and teaches them how to use the “tool kit” which will guide the caregiver in setting up one or more activity stations, based on the persons past and present interests, that will engage the individual with dementia.

Based on Montessori techniques, published by the Alzheimer’s Association, activity stations may include sandwich making, painting, gardening or any other meaningful activity that is, or was in the past, important to that person.

 “This program brings tremendous resources to the area,” Aging Together Project Manager Chris Miller said. 

Miller said the need for the program is increasing with the number of people facing dementia issues growing. Miller said 85 percent of the care giving for those individuals is taken care of by family members.

Statistics show that Alzheimer’s can progress over many years and the number of people who will be affected is on the rise. According the Alzheimer’s Association, one in 10 persons over 65 and nearly half of those over 85 may have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.   

Lynette Scott, RN with the Rappahannock Rapidan Community Services Board in-home care programs, said getting people to come forward is a goal for the Area Agency on Aging.

“Many families are in denial; they can’t get away to come to trainings or people just feel alone, and the Agency can provide the necessary help. We are taking the program to them,” said Scott. “That’s what’s so great. They don’t need respite care while they are out receiving assistance and training.”

Geared towards all levels of dementia, this program will help folks maintain or improve their level of functioning while decreasing agitated behaviors. 

“The more families we can find, early on, the more we can affect that level of functioning,” said Valerie Diamond, a Connections Specialist.

The Rappahannock Rapidan Community Services Board/Area Agency on Aging, Alzheimer’s Association of Central and Western Virginia and Aging together are partnering to offer the program beginning mid-March throughout the five counties of Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock.

Funded by a grant from the Administration on Aging, those interested in receiving support through the program can call 825-3100.

Amy Wagner covers church news for the Star Exponent. Have a story idea? E-mail her at recopps2002@comcast. net

Want to know more?

What: Connections, a free, eight-week in-home program for care giving families and others affected by dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Contact: For more information about Connections, contact the RappahannockRapidan Community Services Board/Area Agency on Aging at540-825-3100.