Program Manager Lynn Crawford’s involvement with HOPE, a nonprofit providing relief for families caring for those with dementia, is deeply rooted in her personal experience as a caregiver.
After spending 50 years as a registered nurse, Crawford faced the challenges of dementia firsthand when her husband was diagnosed with the disease. Following his death two years after the diagnosis, Lynn’s journey as a caregiver inspired her to become the program manager at HOPE. Driven by her own experiences, she is now dedicated to supporting other caregivers and individuals with dementia, ensuring they receive the compassion and resources they need to live healthy lives. Dementia has become more prevalent as the population ages, though other factors, such as poor lifestyle habits or hypertension, also contribute.
“We have an aging population, and (for) people who are greater than 85, one in three will very likely develop dementia, which is kind of scary,” Crawford said. “That’s a lot. It’s just a matter of aging, and that’s why we’re seeing so much more dementia in the world.”
Once a week, Crawford and other program managers across Clark County hold support group meetings for caregivers. These support groups are essential for caregivers to share and hear the experiences of others. As someone who experienced the stress of caregiving, Crawford knows the task can be overwhelming and stressful. She said the group also discusses stress and burnout because the work is difficult.
“We ask, ‘What brought you joy this week?’ or ‘What made you laugh?’” Crawford said. “The reason we do that is because even when you’re in the throes of caring for someone with dementia, it can be pretty grim, but there’s almost always something that will make you laugh.”
HOPE also provides meetings for individuals with memory loss. Many individuals suffering from dementia experience a loss of short-term memory, which worsens as the disease progresses. However, most can recall past experiences from earlier in their lives. Weeks ago, several individuals who have trouble concentrating were able to effectively communicate their experiences, such as passing papers on paper routes or discussing their first car. Crawford said these meetings provide comfort to those with short-term memory loss.
“It’s almost always short-term memory,” Crawford said, “so they don’t remember what they had for breakfast, but they can tell you about their first car.”
HOPE offers several other services and programs. Dementia Activity Boxes, containing sensory objects, books, playing cards and more, provide activities to alleviate stress and anxiety for individuals with dementia. HOPE also offers doll and pet therapy, which provides dolls or robotic pets to individuals in the mid-to-late stages of dementia for comfort. The “Music and Memories” program is a monthly group that offers comforting music to those with dementia and their care partners. An at-home music program provides caregivers with an Echo Dot, enabling them to play specific playlists based on a music survey, offering comfort to those with dementia through familiar music.
“We always say that music is magic,” Crawford said. “If you can use the music from the era when they were somewhere between 17 to 20, that’s their magic space, and that music will usually help calm them down.”
HOPE also offers a new “Meet me at” program for individuals with dementia and their caregivers to enjoy activities outside the home. These programs provide a calming and comfortable atmosphere for those with memory loss.
• Meet Me at the Movies takes place at 1 p.m. every second Friday of the month at Kiggins Theatre. Classic musicals are played in a sing-along format, and lights are kept on to ensure safety. The cost is $10 when purchased online.
• Meet Me at the Museum is on the third Wednesday of the month at the Clark County Historical Museum at 10 a.m. Visits are free of charge.
• Meet Me at the Wildlife Refuge takes place at 1 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month at the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge.
Crawford said activities help those with memory loss stay active, which supports their cognitive function and reduces stress.
“I’ve heard (this quote) many times,” Crawford said. “‘You saved my life. You made me realize that there is something out there beyond what I’m doing,’ or ‘You helped make it easier.’ And that’s my goal — to make it easier for these people who are providing this very difficult care. And, yeah, I am very happy with what I do because I really think it makes a difference.”
Support groups for caregivers are held in Battle Ground at 813 SE Clark Ave. on Mondays from 1 to 3 p.m. Support groups for individuals with memory loss and their care partners are held twice a month in various locations. Those interested in attending should contact Crawford at 360-991-3197 or Lori Massie at 360-359-6946. HOPE holds meetings for caregivers in other local areas, including Vancouver, Woodland, Delso, Ashland and Portland. Support groups and resources are provided at no cost. Readers can learn more about HOPE’s meetings and programs by visiting hopedementiasupport.org/find-a-support-group/.
