BENTON — The Benton Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m., at First Baptist Church.
The group is offered to all caregivers caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. As an “open” group, no reservation or RSVP is required.
The group is facilitated by Stephanie Hull, Family Services Coordinator of Alzheimer’s Arkansas, and Richard Mills, Alzheimer’s Arkansas Facilitator and family caregiver. For more information regarding the support group, call Hull at Alzheimer’s Arkansas at 501-224-0021 or 800-689-6090 or e-mail at stephanie.hull@alzark.org. For more information regarding Alzheimer’s Arkansas and the services provided, visit the website at www.alzark.org or call 501-224-0021 or 800-689-6090.[more]
Since a group of family caregivers banded together in 1997 with the assistance of Benton native Phyllis Watkins, Executive Director of Alzheimer’s Arkansas, the Benton Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group has met once a month to provide support for Saline County caregivers.
The support group provides a safe place for caregivers to discuss situations and issues they and their loved ones are facing, as well as an opportunity to give and receive information that may be helpful to them or other caregivers. Caregivers’ feelings and ideas may be expressed in confidence and, no matter what, will be accepted. Caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia often feel that they are the only ones experiencing this journey. The support group allows caregivers to meet others who know what they are going through because they are following the same path or have already made the journey.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive brain disorder that affects a person’s memory and ability to learn, reason, and make judgments, communicate, and carry out daily activities. It is the most common form of dementia, a group of brain disorders that gradually destroy brain cells. AD currently effects over 100, 000 Arkansans.
An independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization governed by a local board, Alzheimer's Arkansas Programs and Services’ mission is to provide the information and support needed so that all Arkansans affected by AD and related dementias are able to manage with dignity and comfort until a cure is found. Alzheimer's Arkansas achieves this mission in many different ways – education regarding AD and related dementias, 24-hour telephone support, financial assistance, a lending library, and a monthly newsletter to name a few. However, one of the primary ways of achieving this purpose is through support groups throughout the state.
