The first step to helping a loved one you believe may have Alzheimer’s is being aware of the signs of the illness. Some of these signs include disorientation, hallucinations, delusions, agitation, aggressive behavior and sleep disturbances. If you have a loved one exhibiting any of these behaviors please discuss these with your doctor. Many of these signs and symptoms are an early sign of dementia and/or Alzheimer’s. We at the Senior Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) at Merit Health Natchez are here to help the families of these loved ones with support and education each step of the way through our newly formed Alzheimer’s Support Group.

We have partnered up with Alzheimer’s Mississippi to provide a support group for family and friends that have a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s Mississippi provides supportive services and advocating for research funding to improve treatment and find a cure. Alzheimer’s Mississippi provides programs and services, free of charge, to Mississippi citizens with Alzheimer’s and related disorders, their families, caregivers, and the community. Alzheimer’s Mississippi was organized in 1990 and became an independent Mississippi based nonprofit in March 2016 to ensure 100 percent of funds raised stay in Mississippi.

The BHU is a 12-bed, inpatient unit specializing in behavior for geriatric patients ages 50 and up with dementia, Alzheimer’s, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, hallucinations, sleep disturbance and agitation. We provide a board certified psychiatrist, medical physician, licensed social worker, nursing staff, activities and physical therapy for each patient we treat. All twelve rooms are private.

Many senior citizens mistakenly believe that depression, dementia and similar problems are an inevitable part of aging. As a result, they do not share the severity of their symptoms with family, and instead suffer needlessly.

The first Alzheimer’s Support Group meeting will be held Tuesday, Nov. 1, in the Magnolia Classroom on the first floor of Merit Health Natchez. Beginning in December, the support group will meet monthly on the second Tuesday of each month. All support groups will be held in the Magnolia Room of Merit Health Natchez from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.

We encourage anyone who is a caregiver of someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia to attend this support group. Also, anyone who would like to learn more about resources available in our area or anyone who just needs someone to speak with about behavioral issues you may be experiencing or noticing with your senior loved one are also encouraged to attend our first meeting on Nov. 1.

We will welcome guest speaker, Mrs Andi Agnew, Program Director of Alzheimer’s Mississippi, at our second support group on Dec. 13. She will speak on the topic of caregiver’s and the family member with Alzheimer’s getting through the holidays. Adjusting expectations, involvement, and flexibility will all be addressed.

There are 206,000 caregivers in Mississippi who provide an estimated 234 million hours of unpaid care for over 52,000 loved ones living with Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s Mississippi is dedicated to supporting families and caregivers across Mississippi. Support groups offer caregivers who are providing daily care to a loved one living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia, an opportunity to foster relationships and develop new coping strategies and find comfort, strength and hope in a compassionate and safe environment.

There are over 40 support groups across Mississippi that are led by a trained group of facilitators. For many attendees, the best source of support is through regular support group meetings where they learn they are not alone when caring for someone with Alzheimer’s.

Please contact Jenny Townsend, business development specialist with Merit Health Natchez BHU or Alicia Norris, licensed mastered social worker with Merit Health BHU for more info on the support group or if you have any questions concerning a family member that may be exhibiting any of the above symptoms. Merit Health Natchez BHU contact number is 601-443-2365.
Jenny K. Townsend is the business development specialist at Merit Health Natchez Behaviroal Health Unit.