“Dementia is not a normal part of aging,” said Maureen Schneider, board chair of the Minnesota Board on Aging. “Timely diagnosis that uses the right tools is key to treatment and support and can create better outcomes for people with memory loss and the family members and friends who care for them.” The Minnesota Board on Aging recently announced the seven entities across the state who were awarded funds totaling nearly $750,000 through the Local and Regional Dementia grants. The grants are intended to increase awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, promote early diagnosis and connect caregivers to resources.

My mom was gifted at handiwork. She could crochet anything, knit if she had to, sew the most intricate dresses, cross stitch, stitch hardanger, and even tat. When I was young and she was teaching me to crochet, I’d get stuck in the directions, and she’d say, “Just do what the directions tell you.” I still have to do that today. I like to read “into” the directions, rather than just follow them, and I have to have directions in order complete a project. But my projects are never as complicated or intricate as my mom’s pieces were, even though I have a few things I’ve completed when I have extra time.