Salem families affected by dementia get help to make memories together

When Julia Cox heard about funding for people with dementia and their caregivers, she thought of her “most deserving parents.”

Her family is among the 12 recipients of the Alzheimer’s Network of Oregon’s Make a Memory and Honoring a Caregiver grants, providing $500 each to individuals and families impacted by memory loss and dementia. 

Among the recipients this year are residents of Salem, Keizer, Dallas and Monmouth. 

Alzheimer’s Network is a donor-funded nonprofit established in 2003 with locations in Salem and Keizer. Its mission is to create opportunities for people affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia to socialize, connect, and find support. The main focus of the organization is to address social isolation among people with dementia, which has been exacerbated by the Covid pandemic, according to Kathy Belcher, the network’s executive director.

Make a Memory grants were inspired by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which provides wishes to children with chronic illnesses.

The network grants similarly help those with Alzheimer’s.

“Maybe you want to take dad on a fishing trip, or a hot air balloon ride, or a trip to the coast,” she said.

“As a person’s condition declines, it becomes more difficult for them to pursue their wishes. Finances also hold people back,” Belcher said. The awards could “bring a bit of joy to their lives.” 

Previously, grants were only awarded to those with dementia, but the organization recently expanded them to caregivers. 

“These folks are the real heroes,” she said. “We want to make sure that they also feel seen.” 

Cox’s parents, Patricia and Charles Shillcutt, have been awarded one Make a Memory grant each. They plan to use the money to take the entire family, including grandkids, to the Oregon coast. 

Cox learned about the nonprofit’s grants through Center 50+, and instantly thought about her parents. 

“They’re the most humble, most kind people you’ll ever know,” Cox said. 

 Patricia and Charles Shillcutt live “paycheck to paycheck,” but always go above and beyond for their children, she said.

“It’s hard for them to come up with money, because they never want their kids to pay for trips,” she said. “They always taught us that happiness doesn’t come from money.”

With the grants, the family can now spend valuable time together and enjoy “burden-free” moments on the coast.

Cox and her three siblings recently came from around the state to present the grants to their parents.

“They were both in tears. It made their year,” she said. 

Melanie Emerson takes care of her sister Judy, who has advanced Alzheimer’s. The Emerson family received $1,000 and will spend some on going out for coffee together – one of their favorite activities – and buying traditional products from their native England.

It’s very hard to take care of Alzheimer’s patients, especially if you have not done it before, Emerson said.

“It’s a labor of love. When a group of people want to acknowledge you for doing it, it’s really meaningful. Being acknowledged is really nice,” she said.

Judy has also taken advantage of the network’s Memory Cafés, monthly events for people with dementia and their caregivers to socialize. 

“When you go there, they have activities that everybody can do, no matter what stage they’re at. It really has connected us to this bigger sense of community around Alzheimer’s and other dementias,” Emerson said.

Volunteers play a big role in the network’s help to families such as Emerson’s.

“I just think they’re wonderful. It’s a labor of love for them too,” she said.

Contact reporter Alan Cohen: [email protected].

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