During a lunchtime meeting Monday at the Shepherd of Grace Church, the ACT on Alzheimer’s – Becker group decided to continue their activities through March of next year.  There is $2,000 remaining in reserve from the original group grant, according to organizer Tami Kolbinger.  The funds could be used in part to construct a business plan for the organization for future applications, or to find a way to reach a larger audience in the area.

 

Attending the luncheon along with Kolbinger were Lori Lestina and Denice Freih, Becker Faith in Action, Mary Bauer, Central MN Council on Aging, Barb Rebischke, Good Shepherd Community, Rita Waxon, Guardian Angels, Jamie Cassidy, Becker Parks and Rec. Director, Becker Police Chief Brent Baloun, Sherburne State Bank President Kevin Doty and Andrea Gregerson, Good Shepherd Community. 

 

The group discussed having a presence at the upcoming Becker Business Expo in January, but decided it would be more effective for them to join with another organization at the event to share their information, rather than having a booth or display of their own.  Denice Freih from Becker Faith in Action noted that the group needs to reach the older population in the community, which does not always attend events such as the Expo each year.

 

The group also discussed sustainability after March of next year, which included a proposal to try to combine groups in a number of area communities to share resources and perhaps create classes in various venues.

 

Kolbinger also provided a list of the group’s activities in the past year, which were considerable. These included showings of Alzheimer’s-related films including the Glenn Campbell movie “I’ll Still Be Me” at Becker High School and “Still Alice” at the Becker Area Senior Center, a Freedom Days appearance, an educational session with Mark Reese from the University of MN., who spoke on Alzheimer’s disease and the stresses it places on caregivers. A “Virtual Dementia Tour” demonstration at BASC, financial planning, “Dementia Friendly Business Training” for local businesses, first responders and the Becker Police Dept., and the creation of a lending library.

 

According to information provided by ACT on Alzheimer’s – Becker, an estimated 82 people in the Becker School District currently have Alzheimer’s, 72 of which are age 85 or older, and 22 of which are age 65 and older and living alone.  Those numbers will double, according to a prediction from the Minnesota Dept. of Health.