Community members can join a virtual book club, test their brain power or become a Dementia Friend during events taking place in November as part of National Family Caregivers Month.

November is a time to honor the more than 40 million caregivers across the country who support aging parents, ill spouses or other loved ones with disabilities who remain at home, according to the American Association of Retired Persons. The first National Family Caregivers Month Presidential Proclamation was signed by President Bill Clinton in 1997, and every president since has followed suit to recognize and honor family caregivers each November, according to the nonprofit Caregiver Action Network.

Book club

Communities across Wisconsin will discuss the book “Dementia Reimagined,” by author Tia Powel, MD. The sessions are open to caregivers, professionals and anyone wanting to discuss dementia in a new light for the purpose of building dementia-friendly communities.

Led by dementia care specialists from across the state, the groups will reimagine how we live and care for people with dementia. Clubs will hold one-hour Zoom meetings weekly. As of Wednesday, Oct. 28, slots were still open for 1-2 p.m. Tuesdays and 9-10 a.m. Fridays. Participants can register online . Contact Burnett County dementia care specialist Carrie Myers at 715-395-1234 or cmyers@burnettcounty.org for more information.

Checkup from the neck up

The National Alzheimer’s Foundation of America offers free, virtual memory screenings every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through the month of November.

The screening consists of a series of questions meant to gauge memory, language, thinking skills and other intellectual functions. It takes about 15 minutes to complete and is confidential. Results are not a diagnosis, but can help with early detection of memory issues, which can be caused by a range of conditions, from vitamin deficiency or a thyroid problem to Alzheimer’s.

Memory screenings are conducted one-on-one through real-time videoconferencing in English or Spanish. Call 866-232-8484 to schedule an appointment. A computer, smartphone or tablet with a webcam is needed to participate. There are no minimum age or insurance requirements; appointments are on a first come, first serve basis.

For more information about memory screenings, Alzheimer’s disease or support services available to help families affected by Alzheimer’s, visit www.alzfdn.org or call the foundation's helpline at 866-232-8484.

Become a Dementia Friend

Community members can tune in to a virtual information session hosted by the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Northwest Wisconsin from 6-7:30 p.m. on Nov. 9. to become a Dementia Friend. Participants will join a growing movement of people who are helping fellow community members living with dementia.

Dementia Friends is a global movement that is changing the way people think, act and talk about dementia. Developed by the Alzheimer’s Society in the United Kingdom, the Dementia Friends initiative is underway in Wisconsin and across the United States. By helping everyone in a community understand what dementia is and how it affects families, participants hope to make a difference for people touched by dementia. Learn what dementia is, what it’s like to live with the disease and some tips for communicating with people who have dementia.

Registration is required to get the call in/login information for the session. Contact Carrie Myers at the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Douglas County, 715-395-1234.

Resources

Visit the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Douglas County or look through AARP’s list of resources for caregivers for additional links and programs.