The Dimensions of Dementia Community Forum is on Wednesday, March 30 with a resource fair beginning at 4:30 pm and the dinner keynote speaker following at 5:30 pm. This year, Steve Sabat, PhD, is our keynote speaker. He will be teaching attendees the types of memory each person has and how people with Alzheimer’s disease can continue to learn and retain information.
Are you curious about the Community Forum but have never attended before? Then meet Carolyn Joseph! Carolyn is a caregiver for her husband, Emmett, and has attended the Community Forum in the past. Read from Carolyn below to learn more about her specific journey with Alzheimer’s disease, and her experience with the Dimensions of Dementia Community Forum.
1) Tell us a little about yourself!
Emmett and I have been married for 45 years. We lived in Beavercreek, Ohio for 42 of those years. In 2012 Emmett was diagnosed with Alzheimer Disease. Fortunately, our doctor was very forthright with us about this diagnosis and once the shock wore off, Emmett was as eager as me to delve into learning more about this disease. During this time we were also assisting my 7 siblings in caring for my mother who died the following January. We chose to move to the St. Leonard facility in June of 2013 where we now live independently in our own home. We quickly discovered that the Alzheimer’s Association location was not far away and have since participated in many of their programs.
2) What did you enjoy most about attending the Community Forum last year?
The Community Forum is one of the programs we have attended for the past 2 years. We not only enjoyed winding our way through the many exhibits prior to dinner, we also enjoyed the delicious meal and found everyone attending was as excited as we were to be in attendance. Both years we found the guest speaker to be very informative and knowledgeable about this horrid disease.
3) How was the Community Forum helpful to you?
The most wonderful part of the evening though was the exhilarating atmosphere of those in attendance, the many, many people participating and their enthusiasm for doing what needs to be done to conquer Alzheimer Disease. The HOPEFUL determination to wipe out Alzheimer’s disease was so alive and inspiring. It infiltrated my very soul and gave me courage to join in and do what I can to bring this hope to fulfillment.
4) Why should others attend this year’s Community Forum on Wednesday, March 30th?
I encourage everyone to attend the upcoming Community Forum this year on Wednesday, March 30th. Nearly everyone has been touched by this disease in some way, whether it be self, in a family member, a friend or co-worker. All who attend find comfort in learning more about the progress toward eliminating AD and leave with strengthened hope.
If you would like to join Carolyn at the Community Forum this year, simply click HERE to register!
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