Dementia Inspired March 2025

Dementia Inspired New and monthly programs, support, articles, and resources for people living with dementia and their care partners.

March 2025

Mark Your Calendar!

Register today and don’t delay!

In this newsletter you can expect: Mark Your Calendar!

Social Engagement and Support

Brain Health

Date Savers

Resources Deadline to Register Monday, May 12, 2025 https://bit.ly/3QusVvY

Contact

Social Engagement Social engagement is associated with a stronger immune system, boosts feelings of wellbeing, decreases feelings of depression, and improves mood. Enjoy coming together for social connection, peer support, relaxed environment, laughter, and new friends. Programs and classes are offered throughout the year.

Social engagement programs: Brain and Body Group Fitness (3, 12-week semesters) Eau Claire Memory Cafe (monthly) 4 Seasons Nature Program (March, June, September, December) Reminiscing on the Ranch (April - November) Musical Memories Stand in the Light Memory Choir Better Brain Fridays (May - August) Boost Your Brain and Memory (7-week class on brain health)

Eau Claire Memory Cafe

The Eau Claire Memory Cafe is a social gathering for people living with dementia and their care partners and provides an opportunity to enjoy a creative activity and conversation, promoting cognition, and reduce isolation and boredom.

Tuesday, March 11th 10:00 - 11:00 am Outing to Beaver Creek Reserve S1 County Road K, Fall Creek There are about 441 species of birds in Wisconsin, wow! Join us at Beaver Creek Reserve as we hear about the most common birds in our back yard and how to recognize their song. We might even get a visit from a beautiful and captivating bird….who-who could it be? We will meet at Beaver Creek Reserve at 10:00 for a fun presentation and tour.

Click here to see the 2025 programs

Social Engagement

Let us know you are coming.

Call the ADRC at 715-839-4735 or www.adrcevents.org

Musical Memories

Musical Memories is designed to help people living with dementia find renewed meaning and connection in their lives through the gift of personalized music at NO COST. You will be given an iPod loaded with your favorite music, a charger, and headphones for you to keep.

If you are interested in learning more about the Musical Memories program, contact Liz Nett at the Aging & Disability Resource Center, 715-839-4735 or elizabeth.nett@eauclairecounty.gov

Brain Health - Fun and Engaging Workshops!

Building Resilient Brains

Curiosity As We Age

Resilience is the ability to adapt, to bounce back, and to overcome. Learn some tips on how you can build a more resilient brain as you age.

Practices that Improve Creativity...and Brain Health

Wednesday, March 19, 2025 10:00 - 11:30 am

Thursday, March 13, 2025

L.E. Phillips Senior Center 1616 Bellinger St, Eau Claire

10:00 - 11:00 am Augusta Senior Center 616 W. Washington St, Augusta

Scan the QR Code or register here

Support The benefits of gaining support in your caregiving role are numerous and can be lifechanging for many caregivers. There are in-person and virtual support groups and classes available throughout the year.

The Savvy Caregiver (6-week class) Finding Meaning and Hope (10-week discussion group) Powerful Tools for Caregiving (6-week class) In-person and virtual support groups (weekly/monthly) Confident Dementia Caregiver Monthly Series (April - September) Variety of presentations throughout the county - contact Lisa to request a presentation for your church, book club, or other organization/group

In-Person Support Groups

First and Third Wednesdays of the month 11:00 - Noon

Connections and coffee for men caring for a person living with dementia.

Share your experiences Develop friendships Learn about dementia and coping techniques Wednesdays, March 5th and 19th Peace Lutheran Church 501 E. Fillmore Avenue, Eau Claire Don’t delay, contact Bob today at 414-378-2114 or beevee6610@gmail.com

Memory Loss and Dementia Caregiver Support Group Last Wednesday of the Month 1:30 - 3:00 pm Wednesday, March 26th Lake Street Methodist Church 337 Lake Street, Eau Claire For those living with memory loss, dementia, and care partners. Join peers who understand what you are going through for support, information, and education.

Contact Lisa at 715-839-4750 or lisa.wells@eauclairecounty.gov

Virtual Support Groups

Monday Coffee Connect Every Monday, 10:00 - 11:00 am Contact Kelsey at kflock@lacrossecounty.org Monday DISH (for working adult children) 1st Monday of the month, 7:00 - 8:00pm Contact Scott at scott.seeger@adrc-cw.org Circle of Support 3rd Tuesday of the month, 2:00 - 3:00 pm Contact Teresa at teresa.gander@vernoncounty.org Evening Conversations Every Thursday night, 7:30 - 8:30 pm Contact Teresa at teresa.gander@vernoncounty.org Minds & Voices 2nd Wednesday of the month, 10:30 - 11:30 am contact Rob at 920-386-4308 or rgriesel@co.dodge.wi.us Lewy Body Dementia Caregiver Support Group 2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month 1:30 - 3:30 pm Contact Rob at rgriesel@co.dodge.wi.us Friday Support Every Friday morning, 9:00 - 10:00 am Contact Karen at karen.tennyson@co.rock.wi.us Conversations (for those with MCI or early dementia) 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month 10:30 am - Noon contact Rob at rgriesel@co.dodge.wi.us

Date Savers

Let us know you are coming, reserve your spot for each session at www.adrcevents.org or call the ADRC at 715-839-4735 or 888-338-4636.

Resources

Helpful Websites

Alzheimer’s Family Caregiver Support Program (AFCSP)

Careblazers with Dr. Natali Edmonds Teepa Snow Alzheimer’s Foundation Alzheimer’s Association Lewy Body Dementia Association The Assocation for Frontemporal Degeneration Dementia Resource Guide Eau Claire County WI Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Newlsetter

Funds are available for qualified individuals to provide temporary caregiver respite care and purchase goods and services needed to help care for someone with irreversible dementia.

Contact Liz at elizabeth.nett@eauclairecounty.gov

Safety According to the Alzheimer’s Association, six in 10 people living with dementia will wander at least once. Wandering is incredibly dangerous, and of individuals who are not found within the first 24 hours of their departure, 50% end up either severely injured or dead. Safety is important for everyone, but the need for a comprehensive safety plan becomes vital as dementia progresses. What is your wandering plan? What is your plan to address driving?

Are medications in a safe place? Are there potential hazards in your home? Learn more on how to address these questions on their website here.

Tracking Devices Tracking devices can help keep people living with dementia safe by providing their location and keeping them from dangerous situations. There are many different types of devices, and it is important to do your homework! To help get you started, take a peek at these devices here.

Dementia Care Specialist (DCS) Questions about memory loss? Dementia? Providing care? Grief and loss? Brain health as you age? Need a presentation?

Family meeting? Home visit/office appointment? Just want to chat?

Contact Lisa Wells, Dementia Care Specialist, at the Aging & Disability Resource Center today!

715-839-4750 lisa.wells@eauclairecounty.gov Did you know there are dementia care specialists in every county (ADRC and Tribes) in the state of Wisconsin? To find your local DCS, click here.

Learn about in-person and virtual programs in the Chippewa Valley (Chippewa/Dunn County): Dementia Care and Resources of Chippewa County Dunn County Aging & Disability Resource Center

Thank you for reading!

Lisa