When someone you love is suffering dementia, what is the best way to:

• Physically approach them?
• Speak to them?
• Direct them to do something?
• Handle your own frustrations?
• Lesson their fears and frustrations?
• Prevent them from hurting themselves?

These are just a few of the important practical questions that were answered yesterday during the “Understanding Dementia Care Seminar” at FBC.  Hundreds of professionals received continuing education credit during the morning training, while many others joined the afternoon session that was open to the public.

The presenter, Teepa Snow, did a really good job making it easy for us to understand what we can do to better care for our loved ones who are suffering from dementia.  I appreciated how she presented information that was practical and helpful, but did so in a manner that was real and funny while being respectful of those who are suffering.

I’m glad FBC was able to host this event, because many families and individuals in our community will benefit for years to come.  This is a terrible disease.  It creates sadness and frustration.  I also commend Piedmont Medical Center, the Catawba Area Agency on Aging, and Senior Helpers for sponsoring this event.

In closing let me say that I’m glad God has blessed us with a wonderful facility that can host these types of community gatherings.  Combined with Wednesday’s annual Police Memorial Luncheon, our facility has been a blessing to a LOT OF PEOPLE this week.  Everyone who has made a financial contribution to FBC helps make events like the ones we hosted this week possible.  I praise God for the generosity of our FBC Family of Faith.

Pastor Steve Hogg