By Jennifer Bunting: Special to The Pilot

St. Joseph of the Pines’ Memory Support Unit (MSU) was represented in the Memory Walk earlier this month at Cannon Park in Pinehurst. MSU Director Karen Larson and Clinical Supervisor Joyce Sinsley formed a team of St. Joseph of the Pines associates, family members, and volunteers to raise money for the North Carolina Alzheimer’s Association. The organization benefits St. Joseph’s MSU by donating educational material, information about new medications and research concerning the disease, activities for residents, and funding for research.

“Because we work in a long- term care facility, Karen and I formed a team and called ourselves the Roundabouts,” said Sinsley. “The name is what one from England might call a traffic circle. For those afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease, memories and thoughts get stuck, reminding one of being on a traffic circle and not able to exit onto the correct road.”

Although there are other types of dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease is the most prevalent, affecting nearly 4.5 million Americans. The North Carolina Alzheimer’s Association raises money for research, education, and support for caregivers.

Memory Support Unit nurses set a goal in September to raise $2,400 for the North Carolina Alzheimer’s Association through the Oct. 9 Memory Walk and several bake sales at St. Joseph’s Health Center. In addition, wreaths, donated by the Director of Nursing’s mother, were raffled off.

“Volunteers, St. Joseph associates, and Belle Meade residents baked delicious cakes, muffins, and cookies for the MSU bake sales in September,” said Jeralie Andrews, director of Volunteer Services for St. Joseph of the Pines. “We’ve raised more than $300 for the N.C. Alzheimer’s Association.”

Sinsley and Larsen are happy to report that they exceeded their goal, thanks to the efforts of St. Joseph associates, family members, volunteers, and in particular Belle Meade resident Mrs. Krebs.

“Since we are a long-term care facility with as many as 40 percent of our residents who are afflicted with some sort of dementia, we are hoping that in the future, the effort will become a major focus facility-wide,” said Sinsley. “Although this is a new experience for us, we are pleased with what was accomplished, and next year we hope and will plan on greater awareness for this worthwhile cause.”