Everyone has a story to tell! Whether you want to record significant memories for your grandkids or just exercise your memory muscle, using your senses to recapture those special times is as easy as following your nose.

The Akula Foundation, a New Orleans-based non-profit dedicated to providing resources for professional caregivers and residents in eldercare communities throughout the country, has engaged national reminiscence workshop facilitator, Robin Edgar, to arrange local monthly reminiscence group sessions at five separate locations. The 45-minute group sessions are free and open to the public.

In addition to facilitating sessions locally, Edgar has trained local therapist, Rob Fuller, and licensed clinical social worker, Nancy Milczewski, to hold group sessions that utilize the senses to recall, record, and celebrate significant memories.

Fuller currently provides mental health assessments and clinical services to children and adults for a local North Carolina non-profit and a South Carolina mental health organization.

Milczewski currently works as a hospice medical social worker. She is also a therapeutic recreation specialist and has facilitated numerous reminiscence groups in nursing homes, memory care units and assisted living facilities.

“I’m excited to have this opportunity from the Akula Foundation to facilitate reminiscence sessions in a group setting because it stimulates memories as it creates camaraderie for the participants,” says Milczewski.

Participants in these reminiscence sessions often find that they are able to recognize and value the individuals and incidents that shaped their lives. This unique interactive process has also proven to increase feelings of togetherness and reduce apathy and confusion as it encourages self-expression and social interaction.

If you are interested in attending any of the reminiscence group sessions, email Robin Edgar at 2robinedgar@gmail.com or call 704-651-7156.

Want to go?

Group sessions will be held at the following locations:

• Laurel Woods Assisted Living in Columbus on the first Monday of every month at 2 p.m.
• Ridge Rest Assisted Living in Columbus the second Monday of every month at 2:30 p.m.
• The Meeting Place in Columbus the second Monday of every month at 12:15 p.m.
• Oak Hill Wellness Center on the last Tuesday of every month at 2:30 p.m.
• Sessions for veterans at the First Baptist Church in Landrum the last Wednesday of every month at 10 a.m.

 

-Submitted by Robin Edgar