(828) 526-0173 | [email protected] | Copyright 2024 – All Rights Reserved.
The Road They Know
Written By: Luke Osteen | Issue: March 2024 | Photograph By: Mary Gilian
A Dementia/Alzheimer’s Support Group is meeting at both Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library and Hudson Library in Highlands. Caregivers, family members, and friends are invited to attend.
Chris and Fred Jefferson
Dementia/Alzheimer’s is more difficult and stressful for the spouse, family and caregiver than the person afflicted.
That statement is not believable until faced with the daily responsibility of caring for someone.
The initial changes can easily be taken for a bad day or outside stressors when in fact, the personality of that person is being affected from the onset. Dementia’s progress can be slow, offering many plateaus. Each drop from one level to another brings changes for the caregiver: driving, bills, errands, doctor’s appointments, repetition of the same question in a matter of minutes, and meals.
A new support group was formed in June 2023 in Cashiers after Chris and Fred Jefferson received three calls from people who knew their stories. In talking one afternoon on their deck, they felt the calling to do something for those who were traveling the road they knew well.
Both Chris and Fred lost spouses to the deterioration of Dementia/Alzheimer’s.
Chris’ husband, Don, passed away in January 2018 while Fred’s wife, Marilyn, passed away in early 2022.
The pair met in Atlanta in 1970 while attending a Neil Diamond concert with a group. After realizing Fred wasn’t too interested in his date, Chris suggested he call her roommate. The rest is history. Fred and Marilyn married in 1971 with Chris serving as the Matron of Honor. These friends shared life from that point on – even the shared diagnosis of their spouses.
Chris is a Certified Senior Advisor. Because of these personal experiences, they felt the calling to offer an open, autonomous, confidential and safe place for families and spouses to talk.
In June, they held their first meeting at Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library. The group meets twice a month, on the second and fourth Thursdays from 3:00 to 4:30 P.M. There is no need for reservations, and it’s open to all.
As a result of the Cashiers support group, the Jeffersons were approached and asked to start another support group in Highlands. The first meeting was held at Hudson Library on February 8. While the resources of these communities are not as deep as in larger cities (adult day care, home health companies, assisted living facilities or memory units), Chris has been able to compile a few handouts which may help those on this journey.
For more information, contact Chris at [email protected] or call (772) 473-1088.
by Luke Osteen
photo by Mary Gillan
