Alzhimer’s Association – Northern Delaware Support Group – Men only

This past Monday morning, I attended my first meeting of a men only Alzheimer’s support group – sponsored and supported by the local Alzheimer’s Association.

Joe runs the meeting, and it meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 9:30 AM. Joe said that 15 to 17 guys attend the meetings. Most of them are caregivers for their wives, who get together to share information, resources, and experiences. The meeting was formed by caregivers who are more comfortable in a group that is not mixed.

They usually meet at The Flavor of Britain tea shop, at Independence Mall, 1601 Concord Pike (Rt. 202), Wilmington, Delaware, 302-658-9975. Attendees contribute for the coffee and teacakes.

Sometimes the group will meet somewhere else, just for a change of pace.

Or they may meet at a topical location – like a nursing home. Joe explained that it’s useful to have first hand information about facilities that you may need to use later on to care for your loved one – such as assisted living, day care, and nursing homes. He said that it’s best to see what’s out there, before you have to make that decision.

Joe is a fount of information. At this particular meeting, he had a stack of brochures from a health fair he’d attended. He had flyers from the local Alzheimer’s Association. He had information about learning opportunities, fund-raising events, and a bus trip, to Washington, D.C., to talk to legislators about Alzheimer’s caregivers’ concerns and needs.

During this meeting, I learned that Joe has been exploring and discovering the highways and byways of helping Alzheimer’s patients – and caregivers – for years. He – and the rest of the members – are a wonderful resource of knowledge and experience.

You will hear real world stories and suggestions about care options, financial issues, legal needs – and about the often neglected issue: taking care of the caregiver.

The group is open and warm. The meetings are a comfortable opportunity to learn and share information. And a forum where you can learn and feel that you are not alone.

At the meeting, Joe gave me a small book – “Coach Broyles’ Playbook for Alzheimer’s Caregivers – A Practical Tips Guide“. Joe said that the book was published by Frank Broyles, and Frank has given them free to anyone who needs them. It’s a 90-page, sturdy (heavy, coated stock), double loop wire bound book, with print that is large enough to read easily.

Joe described the “Coach Broyles’ Playbook” as more compact and accessible than “36-Hours”.

The “Playbook” is organized by the stages of AD progression – early stage, middle stage, and late stage. It explains, in a quickly accessible format, what could happen, tips for handling various situations, and survival tips for the caregiver. It is a lot of help, in a compact, easy to use package.

At the same time, Joe says that “36-Hours” is still the best book available. (“The 36-Hour Day – currently 4th Edition – by Nancy L. Mace, M.A. and Peter V. Rabins, M.D., M.P.H.)

Further Alzheimer’s Disease information is available from the Alzheimer’s Association, Delaware Valley Chapter, in Newport DE – 302-633-4420 or 1-800-272-3900 – or online at www.alz.org.