Over the past three years, LincolnHealth Occupational Therapist Megan McCartney has seen a growing number of patients come to the hospital with a physical illness and leave with a diagnosis of dementia.

For patients, the diagnosis means a decline in mental function that will eventually change every aspect of their lives. For caregivers, it means spending an increasing amount of time caring for a loved one who will not only have more physical needs, but may also display a range of challenging behaviors, including wandering, confusion and even belligerence.

As she watched people grapple with a difficult future, McCartney realized there was a need to help people access resources after they left the hospital.

That realization led to the creation of a new support group for the caregivers of people with dementia that will meet for the first time at Chase Point Assisted Living on Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. Bill Kirkpatrick, program director for the Maine chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, will be the guest speaker at that meeting.

McCartney said the support group will be a place of sanctuary where people who are caring for someone with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, can talk to others who are going through the same thing and receive support and good information.

“They will not be judged. This is a safe place. No question is silly or stupid. I truly believe that people who are providing care, whether they are providing care for someone with dementia or a physical ailment, are unsung heroes,” said McCartney.

People who are looking after loved ones may become isolated because they are not able to leave the house themselves. The stress of caring for a loved one whose health is deteriorating can also make caregivers ill. More than one third of those who care for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s report symptoms of depression, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Just being able to talk to others who are going through the same thing can lessen the feelings of isolation. A support group is also a great place to pick up tips on how to deal with problems like wandering, or how to take the car keys from someone with dementia, said McCartney.

Bill Kirkpatrick said he will talk about resources for people grappling with dementia and what steps every family should consider after receiving the diagnosis.

Mostly because the population is aging, the number of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is growing steadily. Kirkpatrick said more than 5 million people have Alzheimer’s today and about 500,000 people die of the disease each year. Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Of the top 10 causes of death, it is the only one that is growing and for which there is no cure.

Kirkpatrick said when a loved one receives a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, it is important to develop an action plan that may include steps like finding a neurologist, creating a durable power of attorney and learning more about respite care in the community.

For more information about the support group or therapies for dementia patients, please call Megan McCartney at 207-563-4518.