Fond Memories Topic of UW’s Dementia Program for Caregivers

There is great healing power in concentrating on fond memories. That will be the topic for caregivers of loved ones living with dementia during the next edition of "Once Again," the YouTube video program of the University of Wyoming's Wyoming Center on Aging (WyCOA).

Part one of the two-part program will be available for viewing beginning Wednesday, April 17, and will feature comments from Carol Taylor, of Jackson, and Scott Veatch, of Casper, a longtime caregiver for his wife. The second part of the program will be uploaded Wednesday, May 1.

"We want to give major props to all of the caregivers out there who commonly do all of the heavy lifting without being recognized," Taylor says. "We want to offer encouragement to them to stay the course. We want them to know they are seen, they are heard, and they are appreciated."

Veatch agrees, saying that caregivers are "doing the impossible."

"They have our deep admiration and respect. At the same time, we want each to recall the person they fell in love with, to remember what made their relationship unique," he says. "We hope they will let the wonderful, fond memories be the ones they dwell on."

The program may be found on WyCOA's YouTube channel here or through the YouTube search feature by accessing "Wyoming Dementia Together - Once Again." Viewers are invited to subscribe to the channel and hit the "like" button. Both actions will help the channel grow and reach more caregivers of loved ones with dementia. Comments and questions from viewers are encouraged in the section below the posted interview.

"Once Again" is coordinated through the WyCOA-sponsored Wyoming Dementia Together (WDT) group, which includes dementia care professionals, licensed clinical social workers, physical and occupational therapists, and caregivers.

For information about free services offered by WDT, call WyCOA at (307) 766-2829 or email [email protected].

For more information, go to the WDT Caregiver Network website.