Essentia Health Clinic in Ashland is hosting an event for caregivers and those living with Alzheimer’s disease. Monte Stewart has the story.

It’s being put on by the Ashland Bayfield County Dementia Network, which is a group of caregivers and agencies that have some association with dementia.

Dementia can be anywhere from mild to severe memory loss and ability to reason. RN Candace Kolenda of the Memory Diagnostic Clinic says living with dementia takes a lot of creativity.

“So you have to try to care for the person as they decline.”

Kolenda says it depends on the case to know if a patient understands they have Alzheimer’s.

“When they’re just mildly cognitively impaired they could very well understand what’s going on with them. Somebody’s that severely impaired may not have any understanding what’s going on and there’s the full spectrum in-between.”

Kolenda says the best thing for someone mildly impaired: Do as much preventative care as possible. That includes puzzling out problems and using your memory. Keep active. Kolenda says the worst thing you can do is ignore it. She says families should connect with resources in the community.

“There are agencies. The state agencies and county agencies and their medical professionals. You know go from there as far as how much they may need for care.”

There will be training held at the event including challenging behavior for caregivers of people afflicted with dementia. There will also be a session called Living with Alzheimer’s disease.This takes place Tuesday, November 27 at Essentia Health Clinic in Ashland from 6-7:30 p.m.

• GTac files intent to mine, opposes Ashland efforts to regulate it - 6/19/2013
• Efforts to ban protesters from mine drill under negotiation - 6/18/2013
• Flood anniversary picnic Thursday in Superior - 6/18/2013
• Great Lakes shipping picking up, trying to make up for slow start - 6/18/2013
• DA looking at possible assault charges in mine drilling raid - 6/17/2013