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Dementia patients’ caregivers get chance to celebrate at gala

Alzheimer’s group, Bethany Village hold 2nd annual event.

Lyn and Carl Twining kiss under the mistletoe at the Miami Valley Alzheimer's Association and Bethany Village holiday gala for caregivers, families and people living with dementia Friday night December 9 at Bethany Village. The woman on the left is Dana Lynch a Bethany Village employee.

JIM NOELKER Lyn and Carl Twining kiss under the mistletoe at the Miami Valley Alzheimer's Association and Bethany Village holiday gala for caregivers, families and people living with dementia Friday night December 9 at Bethany Village. The woman on the left is Dana Lynch a Bethany Village employee.

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By Katie Wedell , Staff Writer 9:58 PM Friday, December 9, 2011

CENTERVILLE — The Miami Valley Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and Bethany Village hosted a holiday gala for dozens of families living with dementia Friday evening in the residential community’s visitor’s center.

The second annual “Meet Me Under the Mistletoe” event is a chance for families to celebrate the holiday season without the worries that accompany social outings with an Alzheimer’s patient.

Many caregivers to family members with dementia stay home all day with their loved one, said Carrie Mueller, special events and communications director for the Alzheimer’s Association. “They feel very isolated, especially during the holidays when others are out socializing.”

“This is really a thank you for them,” said Miami Valley Chapter Executive Director Eric VanVlymen. “We wanted to put the celebration back in Christmas.”

Friday’s grand celebration included an immense food and dessert buffet, live music from the Joshua Jazz Band and dancing, all at no cost to the families.

Donna Campbell of Jefferson Twp. was attending for the second year with her mother Pearl Campbell, an avid people watcher. “She loves coming out and being around people,” Donna Campbell said. She said she has been taking care of her mother full time for more than seven years and enjoys the company the gala provides.

“The Alzheimer’s Association has definitely been a blessing,” said Fay Kesner of Fairborn, whose husband Bob was diagnosed in 2004.

She said they still go out together several times per week since, but she appreciated the calm, relaxed atmosphere at the gala.

“He loves to party and eat,” she said.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease and it is the country’s sixth leading cause of death. In Ohio, close to 600,000 family members serve as caregivers to those with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

“A lot of them are 24/7,” VanVlymen said. He said when dementia patients live in residential facilities there are planned activities and a support network for the family. “But 70 percent of caregivers live at home. The Alzheimer’s Association provides that network for them.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2124 or kwedell@coxohio.com

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