Every other Friday morning, we alternate the Dementia Experience and our Compassionate Touch Class for caregivers to gain knowledge and coping tools when caring for a loved one. Read more about the Dementia Experience and Compassionate Touch below: Dementia Experience It can be difficult to understand what it is like for a person who suffers from a memory disorder. To help better understand what your loved one is experiencing, the Alzheimer and Parkinson Association offers Dementia Live® . Dementia Live® Is a high impact, dementia simulation experience that immerses participants into life with dementia, resulting in a deeper understanding of what it’s like to live with cognitive impairment and sensory change.  Caregivers, professionals and individuals will better understand the hardships and confusion that occurs for a person with dementia. This method helps build sensitivity and provides another prospective for those who care for a loved one with dementia. It also discusses the different ways we can adjust the way we communicate with those diagnosed with dementia and how to achieve the best outcome when communicating with them. The Alzheimer and Parkinson Association offers the Dementia Live® experience FREE to caregivers, individuals and employees of organizations in the community who interact with those who have memory disorders. Training with the Dementia Live®️ experience The Dementia Live® training provided by the Alzheimer and Parkinson Association helps many local organizations and groups better understand the emotional and physical challenges that a person with dementia is faced with every day. To schedule Dementia Live® training, please contact the Alzheimer and Parkinson Association of IRC today, 772-563-0505. Compassionate Touch Compassionate Touch is a class designed by Age-U-Cate and hosted by the Alzheimer & Parkinson Association for caregivers of loved ones with dementia. For professional or personal caregivers, this class teaches about the importance of the human touch and tactile stimulation. This class teaches a variety of techniques that help to alleviate pain and behaviors in those with dementia. Call for more information or to sign up for this free class. This class takes place every other Friday at 10:30 a.m. or can be brought to another location for training purposes.