Alzheimer's support group disbands

SANDUSKY — A longtime Alzheimer's support group has disbanded due to dwindling attendance.The Sandusky/Firelands Alzheimers and Related Disorders Support Group, which met at the hospital, dissolved, said the group's longtime president, Holly Price. In a letter announcing the change, she pointed out that other local support groups remain.Recent meetings have sometimes drawn only two or three people. The group's remaining money will go to the Sandusky Erie County Community Foundation to set up a scholarship for college students studying in the area of geriatrics.Price, president of the support group since 1986, just retired as administrator of the Firelands Regional Medical Center nursing school. Price said the group used to draw 10 to 20 people and said she doesn't know why attendance dropped. It's likely more people get help on the Internet these days, and perhaps some people did not find it convenient to come to evening meetings, she suggested.Sandy Mumau, a member of the group's board, said it's important to remind the community how much time and effort Price put into volunteering to serve the group."She did not do a halfway job. She put everything into preparing those meetings," Mumau said. "She cared about people. I can't say enough good things about her and what she did for the group."Price said she was inspired by an Army nurse she knew who developed Alzheimer's at age 40."I saw the impact on her family and husband. She had five children," Price said.Alzheimer's support group meetings are still available at two locations: At 9:30 a.m. the first Tuesday of each month at St. Stephen United Church of Christ, 905 E. Perkins Ave., Sandusky, and at 3:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month at Carriage House, 175 Shade Lane Dr., Norwalk.In addition, a support group for persons experiencing mild memory loss is available at 11 a.m. the third Thursday of each month at Sandusky Community Church of the Nazarene, 1617 Milan Ave.Reach reporter Tom Jackson at jackson@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @jacksontom.Holly Price