Alzheimer's support group hosts first meeting April 5

 

An initial meeting to establish an Alzheimer's support group is set for April 5 at 7 p.m. in Room 2, Building B of the Laredo Medical Center .

Melissa Guerra and Laura Perez are spearheading the effort to establish the support group.

"What we are working toward is a setting that allows us -- caregivers and others who have loved ones with Alzheimer's -- a forum to share our stories and to find resources to help us better cope, as well as resources to help our loved ones," said Guerra.

"When we got our diagnosis a couple of years ago, we operated in a vacuum," said Guerra. "We got what information we could from my father's physician and on the internet, but what we really found is that there was no one to talk to who had been through this long, sad process of losing a loved one to Alzheimer's. What we hope to offer in the support group is comfort for the caregivers, an emotional release so that they can understand they are not alone. At any of our meetings participants will have someone to talk to who is currently going through exactly what they are going through or has been through it in full.

"Alzheimer's takes a toll not only on those diagnosed with the disease but also on the caregivers who on a daily basis face the ravages of the disease," said Guerra. "It is very important that they have someone to talk to, someone who assures them they are doing a good job, someone who just listens. The support group will serve as a base to eventually launch a noontime brown bag series for speakers, including physicians and nurses, social service care givers, and other speakers who are well versed on the legal and financial aspects of elder care."

The group hopes in the future to help establish an Alzheimer's resource center at the Laredo Public Library that will include videos and books about the disease, said Guerra.

There are an estimated 4,000 residents of Webb County who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.

For further information on the support group, please call Melissa Guerra at (956) 723-1707 or e-mail her at guerra@grandecom.net. You can also reach the Star Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association at 1-800-523-2007 or at www.alztexas.org.