Hospital Services
Family Memory Care Program
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease at home is challenging in the best of circumstances. Support, community resources and education for caregivers has become essential in maintaining the mental and physical health of caregivers. Madelia Community Hospital recognizes the importance of providing these services to area caregivers and is pleased to announce the implementation of the Family Memory Care Program.
The Family Memory Care Program is modeled after New York University’s Caregiver Intervention Program, which has been shown to lessen caregiver burden and depression. The program has also been shown to delay long term care placement by up to 18 months and was the winner of the Rosalyn Carter Institute Leadership in Caregiving Award.
Sharon Dexheimer, a Certified Caregiver Educator, will provide area caregivers with education on Alzheimer’s disease, assistance in locating community resources, development and implementation of a family care plan and short term or ongoing caregiver support. The program is provided at no cost by the Madelia Community Hospital through a grant from the Administration on Aging, Department of Health and Human Service and the Minnesota Board on Aging.
A weekly Caregiver Support Group meeting is held every Thursday morning in the Amberfield Dining Room attached to the Madelia Community Hospital. This support group is lead alternately by Sharon Dexheimer, Certified Caregiver Educator, and also by Kim Askeland of Wellspring. This support group is open to all area caregivers.