Caregiver Support

Our PLACE Caregiver Support Group

2nd Friday of each month, 9a - 11a at the Tellico Village Library, 300 Irene Lane, Loudon, TN

This support group is affiliated with Alzheimer’s TN., Inc., and is dedicated to providing education featuring guest speakers, fellowship, and support for those giving care to an elderly loved one. Refreshments are provided.  

*To be added to the Caregiver Support Group contact list, please email director@ourplacetn.org.

Chota Community Health - Madisonville

3rd Thursday of each month, 1p - 2p at Chota Community Health Services, 4798 New Hwy 68, Madisonville, TN

Spectrum of Memory Illness

By Laurie Fox for Our PLACE
(Who is Laurie Fox?)

How ironic that when we arrived at the Tellico Village Yacht Club for our second Ask the Expert: Brain Health Education Series, the doors were locked. Someone had forgotten to unlock them! 

Fortunately, our featured speaker, Dr. John Kriese, DO, a geriatrician with Senior Care Partners of East Tennessee, didn’t miss a beat. He greeted attendees outside, and the unexpected start seemed almost fitting for a program devoted to memory, cognitive changes, and the questions that come with them.  

Once inside, I marveled at how fortunate we are to learn and discuss memory illness in a community where we feel safe enough to ask difficult questions and trust our experts to guide us. The format was especially helpful. Dr. Kriese’s nurse, Jasmine Satterfield, RN, led off by presenting, in a case-study format, two fictional individuals experiencing memory issues typical of mild cognitive impairment. We then followed their journeys over several years.

Our group was very knowledgeable! We were able to answer Dr. Kriese’s questions about which changes in a person’s abilities and functioning were most concerning. We also saw how varied individual experiences can be. Case studies have always helped me understand complex clinical issues because it is easier to listen to a “story” than to try to absorb a list of clinical signs and symptoms.

Research explains why this approach works. Research in cognitive science and education suggests that information connected to a meaningful narrative can be more engaging and memorable than isolated facts. Perhaps that is why the case-study format resonated with me—and with our group. We weren't just learning about mild cognitive impairment; we were following two “people,” asking questions about their experiences, and seeing how the information applied to real life.

Some key takeaways:

1. Mild cognitive impairment is on a spectrum, and it does not always progress to dementia.

2. Memory loss that disrupts daily life is one of the 10 warning signs of dementia.

3. Some causes of cognitive impairment (3%) are reversible.

4. Seeking a physician’s evaluation earlier can lead to better overall outcomes.

5. Exploring resources early, including legal planning, assisted living/home care, advance directives, home safety, Medicare benefits, and financial planning, is invaluable.

If you find yourself or a loved one somewhere on the spectrum of memory illness, you are not alone! Our PLACE Memory Day Center is an amazing resource for you. The Alzheimer’s Association and Alzheimer’s Tennessee also provide tremendous support, especially when it comes to the important resources mentioned in #5 above.

Save the date: On October 23, at the Yacht Club, we're hosting our third Ask the Expert: Brain Health Education Series. We will answer your questions and explore the latest science and treatment options. We will remember to leave the door open. Ha ha!

We all have goals. If learning more about brain health is on your list, please share your interests for future sessions with me at laurief@ourplacetn.org.

My “Moment of Joy” occurred while talking with David about his goal as he celebrates his upcoming 93rd birthday. He told me he wanted to do something no one in his family had ever done. With a big grin, he said, “I want to get to 100!”

Wow! David shows me what it means to keep setting goals, embracing life, and looking toward the future with joy. What an inspiration!

Registration is open for our 4th Walk 2 Remember and Car Show on October 10 at Lenoir City Park. Thanks to you, this event has gotten bigger and better each year. Follow our social media channels for more details.

Our PLACE, an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, encourages anyone with questions to reach out to us at director@ourplacetn.org or (865) 657-7222 to schedule a 30-minute confidential appointment. Together we are better!