FRANKLIN
Christmas is, ideally, a time for making happy memories to last a lifetime. But what happens when a family member, a friend — or even one’s self — begins to experience increasing difficulty with recalling the pleasant ghosts of Christmases past … or even the most recent of activities?

People in this region can get support from area residents who know what your parent, your best friend or even you are experiencing. They can be found in the Memory Loss Support Group, which in fact is meeting today at noon in Franklin Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 400 N. High St.

This meeting is open to all family members, caregivers and friends of dementia or Alzheimer patients.

It’s here where you can get not only a sympathetic ear, but also solid, experienced advice on how to care for a loved one in such a condition. Another woman described learning of what to expect in the different stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Other participants stress that there are no judgments passed on anyone who attends the meeting, and that it’s a safe place to speak. What’s said at the meeting is kept confidential.

William Worsham, who shared his name and situation, explained that he’s been taking care of his wife for eight years for her condition, and for the past year she has been confined to her bed.

“It’s a terrible disease,” he said about Alzheimer’s, “It robs everyone around.”

“In the long run, it’s a benefit by knowing what’s going on,” said another individual. “We know when things aren’t exactly right. We’re here to support each other.”

To learn more about the Memory Loss Support Group, come by today, or during the next meeting, which is always the second Wednesday of each month beginning at noon in the church.

For questions or more information call, Joann at 651-8571 or Mary Francis at 569-0604.