Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Aging & Disability Resource Centers of Rock County.
The Aging & Disability Resource Centers of Rock County and SW Wisconsin will host former Wisconsin Governor Marty Schreiber, a panel of male caregivers and brunch at the Kelch Aviation Museum, N2463 Airport Road in Brodhead on Thursday August 4th. Registration starts at 10 a.m. Brunch service will begin at 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Schreiber, author of My Two Elaines: Learning, Coping and Surviving as an Alzheimer’s Caregiver will provide opening remarks for the group followed by a panel of local male caregivers who will share their stories and lessons learned in caring for an individual with Alzheimer’s or other related dementia. The panel will be moderated by Tim Harrington, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Association, Wisconsin Chapter.
Reports from the National Family Caregiver Association and AARP indicate that upwards of 45% of family caregivers are male. In addition, the Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 2/3s of all those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease are women. Consequently, men will continue to be caregivers in large number. Statistics also indicate that men are less likely to reach out and ask for help. Karen Tennyson, dementia care specialist of Rock County, states, “My role is to provide assistance and education to all those in Rock County with a dementia diagnosis and their caregivers. We want this targeted program to be a step in that process. I hope this opens more doors for male caregivers to reach out and know they are not alone.”
The program is completely free and will include a brunch from Knute’s. Attendees are welcome to tour the Kelch Aviation Museum after the program. The museum is open until 4 p.m. Preregistration is required by July 29th. Please contact Karen Tennyson at 608-741-3615 for more information and to register.
For more information on the dementia care specialist program and services available in Rock County, please contact Karen Tennyson at 608-741-3615 or karen.tennyson@co.rock.wi.us or visit www.co.rock.wi.us/adrc.
