A new support group will launch this April in Mercer to provide information and assistance to caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease.
The group, facilitated by Marshfield Clinic providers, will meet from 6-7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at the Zion Lutheran Church, 4947 Highway 51, Mercer. The first meeting is April 3.
Marshfield Clinic providers and staff who will lead the group are: Dr. Nils Olson, a family medicine physician at Mercer Center, Matthew Powell, a neuropsychologist at Minocqua Counseling Center, Mercer Center nurse Lorie Berwald, and Carol Morden, radiologic technologist.
“I have many Alzheimer’s patients and understand how difficult it can be for caregivers. Fortunately, Zion Lutheran Church wanted to use the church building for something during the week that would be useful to the community,” Olson said. “I hope this group will provide a great resource for the Iron County community.”
Alzheimer’s affects more than 110,000 people in Wisconsin and roughly 5 million people in the United States, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. A new case of Alzheimer’s develops every 68 seconds, and it’s the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.
“The number of people affected by Alzheimer’s will continue to grow as the baby boomer generation approaches the age of highest risk for developing the disease. The toll this disease takes on not just those who are affected, but caregivers who have no access to support, can be devastating,” Powell said.
The group will be affiliated with the Alzheimer’s Association. The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research and can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-272-3900 or by visiting www.alz.org.
For more information, attend the first meeting at the Zion Lutheran Church or call Marshfield Clinic Mercer Center, 715-476-2345.
The Marshfield Clinic system provides patient care, research and education in more than 50 locations in northern, central and western Wisconsin, making it one of the largest comprehensive medical systems in the United States.
