On December 16, 2021, over a dozen people attended a hybrid in-person and video broadcast program hosted at Neighborhood Connections in Londonderry on the topic of recognizing and working with persons experiencing different stages of dementia. The program was introduced by Senior Solutions Executive Director Mark Boutwell, and featured AD Partnership founder Mick Byers, as well as Tamasin Kekic of Equipoise Occupational Therapy and Sue Pollard of Springfield Area Adult Day Services.
Speakers helped the audience differentiate between the normal aging process and recognizing early-onset dementia, and walked them through the physical, mental, and emotional changes that occur during the advancing stages of the disease.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 17,000 Vermonters will experience some form of dementia by 2025, and in 2019 it was the 5th leading cause of death in Vermont. Continued local partnerships, education efforts, and relief for caregivers will continue to be priorities in the years ahead. To further read about Senior Solutions’ Respite Program here.
