Sedona AZ (February 7, 2017) – The Mental Health Coalition Verde Valley is launching an 8 week support group program for individuals diagnosed with with Alzheimer’s and related cognitive disorders such as dementia and who are in the early stages of the disorder. The program will begin Friday, February 17, 11-12:30 PM at Christ Lutheran Church, 25 Chapel Rd, Sedona. The support group will meet each Friday at the same time and place from February 17 through April 7. Judith Patton and Barbara Litrell of the Mental Health Coalition have gone through the facilitator training offered by the Alzheimer’s Association in Prescott, AZ.
The support group is for the individuals themselves who have been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s or another related cognitive disorder. It is not for caregivers who have other support groups available to them in the Verde Valley. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, over 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, and as many as 16 million will have the disease in 2050. The Assocaition recommends that support groups for individuals with early onset Alzheimer’s be exclusive to them and separate from their caregivers.
Topics to be discussed over the 8 weeks will include the first signs individuals noticed of a problem, the diagnosis and adjustment process, disclosure of the diagnosis, relationship changes, changing ways of communicating, how the diagnosis affects identity, and maintaining independence. The group is designed to be a sharing group focused on support; educational resource materials will be available, but day to day life and feelings, issues, concerns, observations are the main focus.
To sign up for the program, please contact Barbara Litrell, President of the Mental Health Coalition at 649-0135 or blitrell@aol.com