Each time dementia steals a block of memory, someone grieves. The person being robbed knows it, but tries to pretend their prized possession is still there, and the victim’s family mourns that more life is taken away bit by bit.
With one out of eight baby boomers potentially touched by some form of dementia, the Alzheimer’s Respite and Resource (AR&R) is kicking its Capital Campaign into high gear to build a 7,000-square-foot resource center on the north end of Hilton Head Island.
“Our organization has been hidden in churches for 12 years — we don’t have a shingle to put out, and people who need us don’t know where we are,” said Marianne Krall, chairman of the Capital Campaign.
The center, dubbed “Memory Lane,” will serve dementia clients and their caregivers. “The center provides a ‘failure-free zone’ for those losing their memory,” said program director Karen Doughtie.
“Our clients know they are losing information, and many times are embarrassed to socialize with life-long friends, thus losing their support system.”
The center provides activities, counseling and memory-strengthening exercises — and it also gives clients’ caregivers some respite.
“What is dangerous about care-giving is the stress – in the last years, we know of three caregivers who have passed away before the loved one of whom they are taking care,” said Edwina Hoyle, executive director of AR&R.
One aspect of the center that the AR&R staff is particularly excited about is the two counseling rooms, known as snoezelers. A snoezeler is a Swedish term for a room that involves all five senses with lighting, aromatherapy, sounds, candy and soft items for people to decompress or relax from the stresses of the disease. Those rooms can be used for counseling, meditating or a “time-out” room for an agitated client.
Currently, AR&R has about 40 clients a day – the program would be able to handle up to 70 a day with the new location.
The Capital Campaign needs $2.25 million to buy the building and establish an endowment for operating expenses. AR&R is more than halfway there thanks to several contributions: Hilton Head’s Rotary has pledged to raise $250,000, a donation of $200,000 from the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, $500,000 from the Graham Family Foundation and a $300,000 price-reduction from the late Herb King, who owned the property.
The campaign kicks off in June and hopes to wrap up this fall before the center opens. AR&R hopes to raise $750,000 from community contributions in that time.
