Lakeside Hospice hosting free event on Alzheimer’s, dementia June 25

Published 11:45 am Tuesday, June 21, 2016

ALZ HEARTS REMEMBER

Presented by Lakeside Hospice

CEPA • Saturday, June 25 • Free

Informational Displays open at 3 p.m.

Remembrance Walk at 6 p.m.

Screenings of “I’ll Be Me,” the Glen Campbell story at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia are foes that many in the U.S. have faced, be it by watching friends, neighbors and loved ones struggle to overcome or by taking it on themselves.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 5 million Americans are currently living with the disease, and it’s the sixth leading cause of death in the country. Those helping in the fight have contributed an estimated 18.1 billion hours of unpaid care.

But some see a glimmer of hope.

Recently, Lakeside Hospice’s Teresa Carden visited with dementia and Alzheimer’s patients at a nearby facility. Typically, she sings to patients, but this particular afternoon she simply took a stereo and played a selection of hymns.

She watched the faces of those in the room and chose to sit with a woman who hadn’t spoken a word or moved a muscle during any of her visits. Carden said she was holding the woman’s hand as the last song began to play. 

“I was amazed at what I was seeing,” Carden said. “Moments ago, this woman was non-responsive. Suddenly, she got out of her chair and began to move around the room, pointing her toes and twirling to the music. She was doing ballet.” 

“Were you a dancer,” Carden asked.

“Yes,” the woman replied, the first word Carden ever heard her say.

Coming Saturday, June 25 to the Pell City Center for Education and the Performing Arts (CEPA), Lakeside Hospice will present ALZ Hearts Remember, an Alzheimer’s educational event that will feature a documentary presentation, a renowned speaker on the subject and a remembrance walk at the facility. The goal of the event, Carden said, is to provide a place to network and learn for friends, family, caregivers and patients coping with the disease.

The point of the program is to understand how closely connected the human mind is to music and art, and to learn from others who have used it in battling fading memories. 

ALZ Hearts Remember will include a two showings of “I’ll Be Me,” a documentary made about country music star Glen Campbell following his diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease.

In addition, neurologist Dr. Daniel C. Potts, a national spokesperson on dementia and Alzheimer’s, will present the story of his own father, who transformed from a saw miller to watercolorist as he fought the disease.

The event will also an information fair for patients and caregivers throughout, and a Remembrance Walk will take place in front of the CEPA building.

The first showing of “I’ll Be Me” will take place at 4 p.m., and a second screening will be held at 7 p.m. The Remembrance Walk will be held at 6 p.m.

For more information, contact CEPA at (205) 338-1974 or by emailing pellcitycepa@gmail.com. You can also find more information by contacting Carden or Bit Thomason at Lakeside Hospice at (205) 884-1111 or by visiting alabamalakesidehospice.com.