Ionia County Community Mental Health

Information may not be reliable

Ionia Sentinel-Standard:August 14, 2010
IONIA - Ionia County Community Mental Health held an event to bring together those suffering from dementia to make memories and offer them fun activities.
Activities included rides in a 1934 Ford Model-A Coup, feeding fish at a local pond and musical and dance performances.
The activities were selected by adult outreach coordinators at teh Ionia County Community Mental Health (ICCMH) based on the participants' past and what they enjoyed.
"I got to know them individually, and got a flavor of what they did in the past," said ICCMH Adult Outreach Coordinator Becky Flint. "All of them are different, and all have different tastes. I like to learn that."
During Friday, the last day of the event, Ben and Karen Merchant brough tin their 1934 Ford Model-A Coup for teh participants to ride in. Earlier in the week, they brought their Model-T.
"This is the third year we have been doing this, and we are getting to know more of the people," said Ben Merchant.
The Merchants started participating in the event when they were contacted by the ICCMH.
"We love to come out and help, and for a lot of the people this (car) is a part of their past," said Karen Merchant about how it sometimes triggers memories. "I think that it is really a nice program they do in our county for the care givers and for the people involved."
Besides offering those with Alzheimer's disease and dementia a chance to mingle with friends and participate in activities, it also provides respite for the caregiver.
The ICCMH also offers training, classes, and other programs for family members, caregivers and those suffering from dementia.
There will be another Making Memories event in Belding the last week of September. To joint the participants with Alzheimer's or dementia a person has to be 18 years or older, and live on their own or with relatives.
To learn more, call 616-527-1790 or visit www.ioniacmhs.org.

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