On Thursday February 17th at 1:00 PM, the Granite Falls Living at Home Block Nurse Program (GF-LAH/BNP)) in conjunction with Johnson Memorial Health Services (JMHS) and the Montevideo Area Memory Loss Network (MAMLN) is presenting a free virtual Remember Project event, “Steering into the Skid.” This special program is designed to help family members, caregivers, local businesses, and the broader community engage in conversation around dementia and the most well-known form of memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease. This event is free and open to everyone but registration is required. Anyone interested can attend in person at one of several viewing locations, including the Dawson City Building, JMHS conference room, the Millennium Theater in Montevideo and several locations in Granite Falls. You can also register to view and participate in the event on your own home computer via a private zoom invitation.
The play, “Steering into the Skid”, was written by the husband-wife team of Arnold Johnston and Deborah Ann Percy and published in The Memory Care Plays, a book of three one-act plays compiled and edited by Dr. Margaret A. Noel. “Growing older has led us to think about the effects of aging on ourselves and our relationship,” said the playwrights. “We’ve known friends — couples — who have faced Alzheimer’s or other devastating conditions with such dignity, courage, and love that we felt compelled to write about a couple forced to adjust to new demands on their imperfect but loving marriage.”
“Steering into the Skid” introduces audience members to Tim and Amanda, played by Twin Cities’ professional actors Jim Pounds and Danette McCarthy. In 12 short scenes, one per month – starting on New Year’s Eve – and all taking place in Tim & Amanda’s SUV, the audience comes to know this loving couple and bear witness to the early progression of dementia. As the months pass, the audience sees the subtle changes and adjustments the couple is forced to deal with due to memory loss.
“Our ultimate goal,” said facilitator and actor Danette McCarthy, “is to assist community members and leaders in considering new ways to think about memory loss and become aware of local resources that support families dealing with a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.”
This innovative program takes a unique approach for building awareness, sharing information, and inviting authentic community conversations. Audience members come together via Zoom and then watch the play together, followed by a facilitated conversation.
“Steering into the Skid” first debuted in the fall of 2015. To date, over 100 performances and conversations have taken place to address the isolation and fear associated with dementia.
Hosted by GF-LAH/BNP, the program is also sponsored by JMHS, MAMLN, the MN River Area Agency on Aging (MNRAAA) and Pioneer PBS. To learn more or register for the play and conversation, please call 320-564-3235 or simply reserve your free seat through Eventbrite at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/granite-falls-living-at-home-block-nurse-program-steering-into-the-skid-tickets-237878088767
GF-LAH/BNP is a local non-profit community based service provider using volunteers to help seniors and people living with disabilities to live well and independently in their own homes and communities. GF-LAH/BNP is a member of the Living at Home Network.