Dementia presents a major challenge for families and caregivers, as well as the patient themselves.
Facing the diagnosis can be frightening, and many feel very alone. Recognizing the obstacles faced by those in the early stages of the disease, the Estevan Public Library (EPL) has started a support group in the community.
The program, called Memories Coffee Hour, was created by adult programmer Roxy Blackmore. Her hope is to create a “community within a community” for those battling dementia, a general term that is used to indicate a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with everyday life.
For now, the group gets together for an hour, once a month, for conversation, stories, puzzles, games and refreshments, and most importantly, support.
Blackmore shares her hopes that this unique group will give those affected by dementia a place to go without the clinical stigma of their everyday lives. The group also gives participants time to connect with other families who are experiencing the same struggles, and allows them to open up a dialogue and ease the loneliness and isolation often associated with the disease.
As the EPL adult programmer, Blackmore also has an out-reach program Reading and Reminiscing with the residents of Creighton Lodge and Hillview Manor. Blackmore often reads stories from the 1920-1940s to seniors, reminisces about their younger days and talks about how much the times have changed. This is a crucial service for those whose access to the outside world is limited, and may find themselves far away from their families.
Blackmore feels the public library is a very important pillar of the community. It is a safe space for everyone and houses something for each individual.
The next meeting of the Memories Coffee Hour is Monday, April 8 at 1:30 p.m.
