Seeking Support: How The Birches Helps Those Whose Loved Ones Have Memory Loss

Watching a loved one succumb to memory loss is a difficult and often overwhelming experience. Unfortunately, many people feel alone in this experience, even though they are not; in the United States there are more than 15 million people caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.

The Birches Assisted Living recognizes the stress and isolation that can accompany this weighty responsibility, and provides resources to help friends and family members cope with the challenges they face. Every month, The Birches hosts a support group for those whose loved ones have memory loss.

The group is sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association and led by Jackie Raschke, the Director of The Birches memory care neighborhood Encore. Raschke has led the group at The Birches for 12 years and has been a support group facilitator with the Alzheimer’s Association for 15 years.

Each monthly meeting focuses on a different topic that provides useful information to the friends and family members of those with memory loss. For example, the February meeting focused on “The Importance of an Early Diagnosis & Understanding the Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease.”

Upcoming meetings and topics include “Tuning in to Communication Challenges” on March 19, “What Motivates the Actions of a Person with Alzheimer’s Disease” on April 16, and “Creating Comforts of Home (Wherever Home May Be)” on May 21.

In addition to the tools offered at each meeting, Raschke also provides participants with access to The Birches’ dementia resource library which is filled with videos, magazines, and books on dementia-related topics. These resources are available to all community members, whether they attend the support group or not, and can help friends and family members provide their loved ones with the best care possible.

The Birches also offers daycare for people who don’t want to leave their loved one unattended while participating in the support group. Arrangements for daycare need to be set up with Jackie Raschke prior to the group meeting.

The Birches’ Alzheimer’s Support Group meets one Wednesday per month from 6:30-8:00 pm and is open to the public. Registration is required. If you have questions about the group or would like to register for the next meeting, please contact Jackie Raschke at jraschke@birches.net or 630-789-1135.