By Betsy Sitkoff

Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, affects more than five million Americans. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 13 percent, or one in eight persons ages 65 and older have Alzheimer’s disease.

As the Twin Cities Jewish community is aging, the need to offer support and education is critical.  

Alzheimer’s disease affects different people in different ways, but the most common symptom pattern begins with gradually worsening difficulty remembering new information.

As damage spreads, individuals also experience confusion, disorganized thinking, impaired judgment, trouble expressing themselves and disorientation. In advanced Alzheimer’s, people need help with bathing, dressing, eating and other activities of daily living.

This life-altering disease impacts family members, friends and caregivers nearly dramatically as those living with the disease. Although most families prefer to keep the person with Alzheimer’s at home as long as possible, nearly everyone with the disease eventually requires more assistance than caregivers can provide. This often results in a move to a long-term care setting.

As a community there is much we can offer those whose lives are touched daily by this disease.

The Mental Health Education Project – a collaborative of Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis and Jewish Family Service of St. Paul – is working with local community members to provide support and education.

On Sunday, May 18, a free workshop entitled “Alzheimer’s in the Jewish Community: Research, Realities and Resources,” will provide an opportunity for the community to learn about the disease and its effect on caregivers. The workshop is scheduled from 12:30-4:30 p.m. at Sholom Home West.  

Dr. Joseph E. Gaugler, from the School of Nursing and Center on Aging at the University of Minnesota, will be the keynote speaker. He will discuss what Alzheimer’s disease is and what can be done. Gaugler will include research on symptoms, stages, possible prevention and treatments. The workshop will include a panel discussion and a special session on caregiving.

Transportation from St. Paul will be available through the St. Paul JCC.  Respite care will be available at the Deikel Family Altercare on the Sholom Home West campus. Reservations are required for both transportation and respite care by May 9.

The Deikel Family AlterCare Adult Day Program is for people who otherwise might be alone and isolated during the day. The program specializes in working with people who have memory and/or physical impairments, dementia and developmental disabilities, while offering respite for the at-home caregiver. For information call 952-939-1511.

The May 18 program is sponsored by Sholom Community Alliance, the St. Paul JCC and the Mental Health Education Project. For more information, to register and for reservations, contact Betsy Sitkoff, at 952-542-4833 or  bsitkoff@jfcsmpls.org.

The idea of coming together as a community to deal with Alzheimer’s disease was precipitated by a group of women at Mt. Zion Synagogue. When the three members discovered they all had fathers with Alzheimer’s disease they decided  to meet. They have laughed and cried together and have been there to help each other through the ups and the downs that comes with Alzheimer’s.  

That was more than four years ago and the group, now open to the community, provides support and education for caregivers. The group meets at 7 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month at Mt. Zion Temple (Fireside Room).

It is offered through the Mental Health Education Project, Jewish Family Service of St. Paul, Mount Zion Temple and the Alzheimer’s Association of Minnesota and North Dakota. For more information call Chris Rosenthal at Jewish Family Service, 651-698-0767.

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Betsy Sitkoff is Coordinator of the Jewish Community Health Awareness Initiative, a program of Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis and Jewish Family Service of St. Paul.

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