By P.L. Stiles
Rowan Public Library

Caregiving, especially for those finding it harder to care for themselves, remains one of the most important ways to show love to family and friends in our communities. Caregiving is good for the soul. It offers comfort for both loved ones and caregivers and serves to bring people closer together. However, it may also come with some confounding learning curves and situations that are hard to prepare for. For those Rowan County residents caring for loved ones, it is not news to them that many in our community need a little extra help, particularly those suffering from dementia.

According to the U.S. Census, there are 27,403 residents ages 65 and older in Rowan County, and while dementia affects people of all ages, it is more prevalent in those over age 65. In an article published in the Salisbury Post from Sept. 27, 2024, the Alzheimer’s Association – Western Carolina Chapter found that Rowan County has a prevalence rate of 11.2 percent for Alzheimer’s, and this is projected to increase in the coming years. Dementia comes in many more forms than Alzheimer’s, and may come about as the result of injury, medications, and/or health conditions. Dementia may be a temporary condition or permanent progressive condition and may result in a variety of behavioral difficulties such as confusion, apathy, anxiety and depression, agitation, aggression, personality and mood changes, hallucinations and more.

It is not just those with dementia who are in need of a little help, though. Their families, friends, and caregivers in the community also need a little help. According to the North Carolina Center for Health and Wellness in their January 2023 Dementia Caregivers Brief, the stress of caring for those with dementia can also lead to worse health outcomes for the caregivers themselves. The Caregivers Brief also points out that most (up to 75 percent) of caregiving is done at home by family, friends, and in-home caregivers, which is referred to as “informal care”.

Understanding what dementia is, what to expect, what may be causing certain behaviors, and beneficial treatments for the disease helps both the caregiver and those with dementia prepare for and compassionately manage symptoms. In response to this community need, Rowan Public Library is partnering with Vaya Health to offer a free informative series on Neurocognitive Disorders and the Basics of Dementia.

This is a three-part series exploring the Top 4 Dementia Diagnoses in Older Adults. This program series will include Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia on Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 6 p.m., and Vascular Dementia and Frontotemporal Dementia on Tuesday, March 18, at 6 p.m. The final session will explore caregiving considerations with a focus on behaviors and communication on Tuesday, April 15, at 6 p.m. For professional caregivers or medical professionals, this program is accredited through the N.C. Division of Health Service Regulation and offers one contact hour for each hour of training attended. Attendees may attend all three or just the one that seems most appropriate.

This series is free and open to the public. It will be held at Rowan Public Library Headquarters located at 201 W. Fisher in Salisbury and starts at 6 p.m. Registration is recommended but not required. To register, go to http://www.vayahealth.com/calendar and look up the event by date. For more details, please contact Paulette Stiles at Paulette.Stiles@rowancountync.gov or at 704-216-8218.