Local Organization Screening Dementia Documentary Series

(KNSI) – The Dementia Friends St. Cloud organization is always looking for new ways to educate the public on memory loss.

That goal will be furthered this week as part of a documentary series the group is screening. The next movie in the series is Thursday, April 11th. Social hour starts at 5:00 p.m. It will be held at the Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School. The documentary is called “Keys Bags Names Words: Hope in Aging and Dementia.” Respite care is provided to allow caretakers to attend.

Once the movie has wrapped up, a panel discussion will take place. Registration is required. For more information, email paula.woischke@ci.stcloud.mn.us.

Volunteer Committee Member Jodi Danielson says the intent is to be informational and optimistic.

“We look for unique ways to help educate the public and create awareness around that, that you can have a good quality of life with dementia.”

She stresses that there are manageable steps you can take to mitigate the effects of the disease, even after a diagnosis. “Dementia can cause you to isolate, and that’s the worst possible thing. Socialization is so important, and so are those lifestyle factors, much more so than genetic factors.”

To learn more about what you can do to make the most out of living with dementia, Danielson recommends taking advantage of area resources. She specifically mentions the Central Minnesota Council on Aging LinkAge Line and the Dementia Community Action Network, or D-CAN.

Another movie screening is scheduled for May 9th.

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