Mac Butt says he knows first hand the hardships faced by caring for a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
He cared for his wife Shirley for nine years before her passing in March of 2018.
“Caregivers are people that are probably sometimes stretched out much more than the people that they’re looking after.”
Butt, a member of Westmoorland Lodge, says he wanted to put together something to help caregivers and their loved ones.
The first event, hosted by the Westmoorland Lodge and the Alzheimer Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, was in spring of 2018, and followed by three more in the fall.
Butt says it’s a simple affair: an afternoon of live music and fresh food.
“They enjoy the music. They enjoy the food. They enjoy meeting other people that they haven’t seen for a long time.”
“The only one restriction I put on people -it’s a serious restriction- is that they can’t dance on the tables, because you could fall off!” he joked.
He says the free event gives people the chance to get out for an afternoon and enjoy each other’s company.
Butt says that following their first event, they asked participants to fill out a survey.
“We got one hundred percent positive feedback … they want to do it every week.”
Three more events are planned for April 2, May 7, and June 4 at the Freemason’s Hall, 115 Mt. Carson Ave in Mount Pearl.
You can register by calling the Alzheimer Society at (709)576-0608.
