HELPING FAMILIES — Those at the First United Presbyterian Church in Mingo Junction, along with officials from the Mingo Senior Center, are joining those from the Alzheimer’s Association to offer the community an opportunity to attend the second-annual seminar Fighting the Good Fight to End Alzheimer’s. The event is set to take place from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 20 at the church, located at 650 McLister Ave. in Mingo Junction. Sponsors of the event include, from left, Lisa Foster and the Rev. Vaughn Foster, representatives of the church; and Diane and Fred Pernick, church members representing the Mingo Senior Center. -- Contributed

MINGO JUNCTION — It is perhaps one of the most heart-breaking diseases the world has ever known. And despite all of the studies and research being done, there has yet to be a cure.

Alzheimer’s not only affects those suffering from the disease, but it touches everyone who loves that individual.

Having to endure the pain of knowing that a mother no longer recognizes the child she once would have died for, or seeing that once strong and protective father turned in to a frightened and confused man, keeps us asking the questions, “How can we help?” “Where can we turn?” “What can we do?”

Questions such as these will be addressed during a special seminar entitled Fighting the Good Fight to End Alzheimer’s, scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 20 at the First United Presbyterian Church, located at 650 McLister Ave. in Mingo Junction.

Officials with the Alzheimer’s Association Greater East Ohio Chapter explained this is the second-annual event, which is free to anyone in the community who would like to attend.

According to the Rev. Vaughn Foster, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Mingo, the place of worship has partnered with the Mingo Senior Center for years, holding fundraisers to support those battling cancer.

However, last year, church elder Diane Pernick, who serves as the senior center’s secretary, along with her husband, Fred, the center’s director, suggested they expand their reach and direct their efforts toward helping those with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Diane stated she believes the more people know about this disease, the more empathetic they will be when caring for those suffering with it.

“The dementia patient isn’t giving you a hard time,” she commented. “The dementia patient is having a hard time and we are blessed to help them.”

So, why focus on Alzheimer’s?

Perhaps it is because more than 7.2 million Americans are living with the disease, and an estimated 13 million are expected to have Alzheimer’s by 2050, according to alz.org. One in every nine Americans 65 or older now have Alzheimer’s, the site indicated.

Foster explained these aren’t just numbers, not just figures — they are human beings who can not remember the people they once love. Some who have succumbed to the disease have been members of the churches at which Foster has served.

He recalled several of his elderly friends who battled the disease, remembering everything their families had to endure while caring for them.

“In the latter phases of the disease, one man no longer remembered his wife,” Foster exclaimed. “Another, just before dying, seemed to forget how to feed himself.”

Despite Foster having 34 years in the ministry and years working with the families of those living with Alzheimer’s, he still has questions. And he is not alone.

“When God called me into the ministry in 1986, I knew I would preach, teach and visit people in the hospitals,” stated Foster. “But at that time, I could not imagine serving God and people by doing some of the things I’m doing now, such as helping to put together programs that help those battling memory-related diseases. However, it was while doing the other things that I saw a need to help people battling Alzheimer’s and dementia and their loved ones.”

Foster explained whenever a person continues to tell the same story repeatedly or does not recognize their family members or forgotten a loved one has died, the question arises, what should we do?

“I didn’t have a clue!” Foster answered. “Their families needed to know. Our church members needed to know. I needed to know.”

“I contacted senior citizen facilities throughout the area, along with a number of organizations not located in our area,” he continued. “Although there had been something in our area, no one believed there was currently anything being offered locally and no one seemed to know who could help. Once, an internet site pointed me to the Alzheimer’s Association. I contacted them and began to get answers to my questions. Since there still wasn’t anything being offered in our area, I felt God would have us to start something.”

This will be the second year the First United Presbyterian Church has partnered with the Mingo Senior Center and others to offer a wealth of information to the community in order to help those living with Alzheimer’s and their families. A free lunch will be provided for attendees.

The event’s schedule includes: Refreshments, 9:30 a.m.; two sessions entitled “Five Legal Documents Every Adult Should Have in Place” and “Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia,” at 10 a.m.; the same two sessions, along with “Healthy Habits for Your Brain and Body,” at 11 a.m.; lunch, noon; the 10 a.m. sessions will be held once again, along with “Building Foundations of Caregiving,” at 1 p.m.

Registration is required. To register or donate, e-mail firstunitedofmingo@yahoo.com or call (740) 535-0309.