News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Upper Cumberland Development District is providing sessions to help those with Alzheimer’s and their caretakers.
Family Caregiver Coordinator Clare Farless said that the sessions will be split into two parts with one centered on music intervention for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. She said that participants will be able to create an individualized playlist with 50 songs and will be given a Bluetooth speaker and headphones to listen to it.
“Rhythm is one of the last things that go in your memory,” Farless said. “And so it’s one of the ways that we can resonate with our loved ones with dementia is with that rhythm and that music. We can evoke certain emotions and give them a sense of comfort by playing music that is comforting as well.”
Farless said that the other sessions will be highlighting tools to help the caretakers of those with memory issues. She said that a lot of times caretakers will have their health break down quickly because of the stress their role brings on. Farless said that sessions will include tools to help with self-care and how to communicate in difficult situations.
Farless said that they address things like control as well. She said that it can be very hard for caregivers to let go of things out of their control while caring for their loved ones.
“Those are things that we talk about and work through in these trainings,” Farless said. “We also bring together other caregivers in this group with us. And the knowledge there just from them also being caregivers can have a huge impact in someone’s life. And let them know too that they’re not alone. Knowing that you have a group of people that are going through something very similar helps you in knowing that you’re not alone and you’re not the only one going through this struggle.”
Farless said that there will be six, 90-minute sessions every Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. starting March 8 and Thursday evening at 5:30 p.m. starting March 10.
