Experts field questions in UW’s final Wyoming Dementia Together Program Dec. 18

The University of Wyoming is alerting the public that the Wyoming Dementia Together (WDT) support staff will be available to answer questions from caregivers of loved ones living with dementia during a virtual meeting Wednesday, Dec. 18.

WDT is a statewide, nonprofit caregiver network operating through the University of Wyoming’s Wyoming Center on Aging (WyCOA). WDT meets by Zoom call every other Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Programs feature guest speakers and allow time for interaction from those who attend online.

Participants will be able to directly ask questions to WDT’s professional support team during the latest program titled “Our Gift to You: Ask the Professional Support Team.” This will be the final WDT program in 2024.

“It’s so easy to feel like you’re alone in the caregiver journey,” Scott Veatch said.

Veatch is from Casper and a WDT team member since the group’s inception four years ago. He is a former caregiver for his wife, Mona, who died from Alzheimer’s in 2021. 

“When Mona was first diagnosed in 2007, there was very little support available for me. Here at Wyoming Dementia Together, we want to change that. Our goal is to use our individual experiences and talents to make the caregiver’s journey easier,” he said.

On the latest program, all questions on any relevant topic, such as nutrition, communication, help with dressing and in the bathroom, and general questions about caring for someone living with a dementia diagnosis are welcome.

The next virtual WDT program will be Wednesday, Jan. 22; discussion topics are being finalized and will be announced later.

WDT includes dementia care professionals, licensed clinical social workers, occupational therapists and caregivers themselves. WDT began meeting in fall 2020 and since has been offering online programming help.

For information about registering for Zoom calls and the other free services offered by WDT, call WyCOA at (307) 766-2829 or email wycoa@uwyo.edu.

For more information, go to the WDT Caregiver Network website.