To all those caring for family and friends who suffer from dementia, you can catch the support group Zoom sessions to help provide training in dementia care. It's part of a series of sessions continuing from the Guam/Micronesia Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program of the University of Guam School of Health.

From 6 to 8 p.m. tonight, poet Pep Borja will be speaking at the session. Co-facilitator for the support groups for families, caregivers and persons with dementia, Rhoda Orallo detailed what participants can expect from the online support group, starting with poetry readings,

"It turns out that poetry is actually a pretty powerful way or means of therapy for individuals with Alzheimers," she said. "So researchers have found that reading poetry can stimulate areas of the brain linked to memory and so in Pep Borja’s talk, it will be about dementia and how individuals can take care of another with dementia based on poetry."

On Saturday, May 14, world-renowned dementia care specialists will provide training to caregivers of persons with dementia. Applied Gerontologist Dr. Beth Nolan will present on “Brain Changes in Dementia.”

"It’s more like the physiological changes of the brain for a person who’s been diagnosed with dementia, so she’s going to go in details on that," Orallo said.

These Zoom events are open to the public, especially for those who would want to know more about dementia care.

"Just to be able to identify some of the signs and the symptoms of dementia, will really help in trying to provide that extra attention and assistance to those who may possibly have dementia," Orallo said.

The sessions run until May 28 If you’re interested in participating you can call Dr. Iain Twaddle or Nikolas Gutierrez at (671) 735-2883 or send them an email at gwep.tgss@triton.uog.edu. You can also contact Rhoda Orallo at (671) 735-3277 or by email at r.orallo@hspguam.com. The sessions are free of charge to partners, family members, and other caregivers of persons with dementia who have ties to Guam and the Micronesian region.