Mix, Mingle and Jingle

Marco Dementia Respite (MDR) held their second annual holiday luncheon on December 13 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. This was a chance for MDR’s ‘clients,’ those dealing with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia, their caregivers, and volunteers to “mix, mingle, and jingle,” as the invitation read.

As the population of this country, and even more so this county and this island, continues to age, there are few diagnoses more feared, more devastating than that of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease and other related forms of dementia are cruel both to patients and caregivers, robbing victims of their memories, their mental capacity, and eventually their lives while leaving family members exhausting themselves caring for a loved one who has become a stranger, does not remember them, and is entirely unable to care for him or herself. 

Serving Marco Island and nearby communities along the 951 corridor, MDR reaches out to those in need in a variety of ways. The group offers sessions for dementia caregivers and participants every Monday and Wednesday morning at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and provides by appointment a memory assessment center, including a clinical interview and assessment of cognitive and emotional functions, care recommendations and caregiver education. They offer a support group for caregivers, who can find themselves overwhelmed by the daily challenges they face, often without support. 

After the lunch, catered by Kretsch’s Restaurant, with desserts provided by the JW Marriott, and before the rounds of bingo and a holiday singalong, MDR board president Tim Rose addressed the group. 

“We never knew how big MDR would get,” he told them. “We have seen a tremendous growth spurt in the last several months.”  

Tim Rose, who founded MDR along with his wife, executive director Denise Rose, said fundraising has gone very well, as dementia is a reality that touches everyone as they age. 

“We thought we’d have to explain our dementia and respite programs, but we’ve never had to. Everyone is touched by this” – if not in their immediate family, then by close friends or extended family. “Support has been overwhelming from the beginning,” he said. 

The group holds two galas each season at Hideaway Beach and the Island Country Club (ICC). The ICC event in March was the most successful they’ve ever had and open to the public so save the date - March 23, 2025.

Neuro-psychologist Dr. Paul Nussbaum, who works with MDR, said that while there is no cure for dementia yet, we are learning more about how it affects the brains of its victims, and there are steps anyone can take to lessen their risk for Alzheimer’s or slow the disease’s progression. 

“Current research shows that lifestyle is critically important,” with five major components, he said: diet and nutrition, physical activity, mental stimulation, socialization, and stress reduction. Nussbaum lauded the work of MDR, calling it an “oasis of hope” for Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers. 

Marco Dementia Respite is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization. For more information, call 239-388-4134 or go online to www.marcodementiarespite.org.