FREE ACCESS: Linton Public Library to team with county agencies for Alzheimer’s event

The Linton Public Library is teaming up with other agencies to create an event meant to offer resources to residents wishing to find information to help caregivers of people afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease.

The event will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 19 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Linton Public Library, said event organizer and Linton Librarian Diane Anderson.

“So far, we have four organizations confirmed for the event, but we expect more to confirm as the date gets closer,” Anderson said.

The four organizations confirmed to be there are the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Indianapolis Support Group. Generations: Area 13 Agency on Aging and Disability, Viaquest Hospice and Glenburn Home of Linton, who recently opened a new wing on their assisted living facility dedicated to the care of Alzheimer’s patients.

Dayna Firestone, Community Educator for the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Indiana, will be in attendance as well.

Firestone oversees area support groups for people who are caregivers of family members afflicted with Alzheimer’s.

“It’s for spouses, children, family and friends that take care of a person with Alzheimer’s,” she said. “The meetings are confidential, and we just share the things people have dealt with that month and those in attendance offer advice if they have dealt with the same things. We share helpful tips, encourage each other and we are just a place where families can talk to other people who know what they are going through.” Firestone lost her father to Alzheimer’s disease, and said she just wants to help others going through what she did.

Firestone’s group meets the first Monday of each month at Switz City Christian Church.

“This group is not just for people in Greene County, we welcome anyone,” she added. “

Anderson said she plans to set up the library’s program room for an audience, with tables set up nearby for each agency.

The event will begin in the program room, with participants giving a general introduction of themselves and the services they offer to caregivers and to Alzheimer’s patients. A question-and-answer period will follow before agencies return to their tables to offer one-on-one interaction with attendees.

For more information about this event, call Anderson at the Linton Public Library at 812-847-7802. For more information about the Alzheimer’s support group, call Dayna Firestone at 812-798-0325.