Chapter Services | For You, the Person with Memory Loss

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For You, the Person with Memory Loss

Living with Alzheimer's

Thoughts from someone with early stage Alzheimer's disease...

“For myself, Alzheimer’s is the disease that is characterized by: you don’t know what you know and when you don’t know it. A major characteristic of Alzheimer’s is increasing short-term memory losses. Short term memory losses make a pocket notebook a necessity — write down a thought or task that you want to pursue later — if you can remember that you want to write it down and that you have a notebook and pen in your pocket. For me, I carry both a pocket spiral notebook and pocket calendar because I cannot count on my memory.”
Louis J. Bussjaeger

Early Stage Support Groups
Early stage support groups provide information, discussion and inspiration through an honest exchange of how each are coping and continuing on with good and productive lives. Currently, there is an early stage support group in the Prairie Village office and another will begin in April in Topeka. If you are considering joining the early stage support group, contact Michelle Niedens (913) 831-3888 in the Prairie Village office for an orientation meeting prior to attendance. If you are interested in the Topeka group, contact Karen Knappenberger (785) 271-1844 for an orientation meeting prior to attendance. The orientation meetings allow discussion about the group, gives opportunities to ask questions and insures the group is the right fit for the needs of the prospective participant.

Redefining Me Education Series
Both you and your family/friends are welcome to attend this 4 part series. It is geared for the newly diagnosed, early stage individual who wants to know more and take an active role in living with this disease. The series includes the following topics:

Part 1: What Alzheimer’s means
Part 2: Taking Control
Part 3: Changing Relationships
Part 4: Finding Meaning

Next series dates:

Mondays, March 30-April 20
10-11 am
Brookdale Foxwood Springs Retirement Community
1500 W. Foxwood Drive Raymore, Mo.
Bromwell Lounge

Thursdays, April 5th through April 26th,
11-12 am
Topeka, Ks.
Contact Karen Knappenberg at 785-271-1844 for location

Empowerment Groups
These are groups for you in the earlier stages of Alzheimer’s disease with set curriculum/focus areas that allow expression through creation and to use continuing skills to make a difference. For more information, contact Michelle Niedens (913) 831-3888 for the Raymore and Clinton groups. Contact Brenda Gregg (816) 364-4467 for the St. Joseph and Warrensburg groups.

Sharing Hope Group, St. Joseph Missouri
A group centered around discussion of issues important to the group, and acting on those issues through advocacy or volunteer efforts.

Last Tuesday of the month
6-7:00 pm
Alzheimer’s Association, NW Missouri Regional Office
Francis Street United Methodist Church
2nd Floor
10th and Faraon
St. Joseph, Missouri

Time Slips, Raymore, Missouri
A group centered around story creation inspired by chosen pictures. Stories are created and utilized in various ways, as decided by the group, to spread the message that people who have memory issues still enjoy and contribute to the world around them.

2-3:00 pm
1st and 3rd Fridays of the month
Brookdale Foxwood Springs
Bromwell Lounge
1500 W. Foxwood Drive
Raymore, Mo.

(Currently on break to begin again in March)

Collage Creation, Warrensburg, Mo.
This group is centered around the expression of thoughts, philosophy and beliefs through the creation of artful collages full of story and messages.

Last Friday of the month
10-11:30 am
The Vineyard
3rd floor meeting room
504 Regent Drive
Warrensburg, Mo.

Memories in the Making, Clinton, MO
This group is centered around the expression of creativity through the medium of watercolor painting. While the Heart of America Chapter has many memories in the making groups, this is only one dedicated to those individuals in the early stage. No art experience is necessary.

1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month
9:30-10:30 am
Glendale Gardens
1300 S. Main Street
Clinton, Mo.

Mollie Tivol Alzheimer’s Resource Center
In the library, there is a section dedicated to you in the early stage. Some of the books discuss activities that support quality of life, others are books written by individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease who are discussing their experience.

Speakers Bureau/Volunteer Opportunities
There are opportunities through the year to talk with schools, community groups and the media regarding your experience with having Alzheimer’s disease in order to increase awareness and encourage early diagnosis. If you are interested in being on the speakers bureau, or interested in being part of advocacy efforts, contact Michelle Niedens.