This month the territory is expected to welcome 50 new certified dementia practitioners as the Virgin Islands Alzheimer’s Association joins the globe in commemorating World Alzheimer’s Month throughout the month of September.
As told by Founding Director of the VI Alzheimer’s Association Edna Williams in a recent interview, the month will consist mainly of capacity building and awareness activities, starting off with the training of caregivers this week.
“This week, we will be in the process of training 25 caregivers to become certified dementia practitioners and it will continue next week with a second cohort of 25 individuals. We will be training a total of 50 caregivers to be certified dementia practitioners. This is being done with the cooperation and the grant of an international Rotary grant through the Rotary Club of Road Town and ourselves”, she said.
On the awareness side of things, Williams explained that the Association will be joined by speakers from the United States who will share information on non-pharmacological treatment options for care partners of dementia patients.
“The week of the 17th we will have two guests from the United States who have been care practitioners for their family members. One has utilised the non-pharmacological method of music to relate to his mother who recently died at the age of 91… he will be speaking both to our “You Are Not Done” group on the 20th… and then a public discussion on the 22nd of September at the Methodist Church Hall at 10am”, she added.
The main event, the annual “Walk to End Alzheimer’s”, will take place on September 23.
Williams explained, “persons will be walking from the Noel Lloyd Park to the community … we want people to notice us and what we are doing, and what the walk is about.”
The walk will culminate with a vigil to commemorate those who have passed or are currently experiencing dementia.
Members of the public are asked to visit the VI Alzheimer’s Association Facebook page for more information on the activities.