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Community Corner

Jyringi Aids Families, Patients Affected by Alzheimer's

Stony Brook resident runs support groups and speaks publicly at places such as 55-and-over communities, bringing awareness about Alzheimer's disease to those most at risk.

Darlene M. Jyringi, a resident in Stony Brook for more than 30 years, is the program director of the Alzheimer's Disease Assistance Center of Long Island. She developed an interest in gerontology (the study of aging) about 20 years ago, and for the last 15, she's worked at Stony Brook University.

Jyringi works with patients who suffer from dementia and runs support groups for both patients and their caregivers. The patient support group is more of a cognitive rehabilitation, encouraging attendees to work their minds.

She also works with the chairman, Mark J. Sedler, once a week seeing patients. Jyringi conducts psychometric testing and intake interviews, educating caregivers and organizing training programs for caring for patients with dementia. She also speaks publicly at places such as 55-and-over communities, bringing awareness about Alzheimer's, currently both incurable and eventually terminal, to those most at risk.

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The Town of Brookhaven Division of Women's Services recognized her for her service with the Community Service Professional Award at a ceremony on March 22. Jyringi took time out to conduct a short interview with Patch.

What made you decide to study gerontology?

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I used to teach Native American ways of life to school groups and I found that a lot of what was taught about the Native Americans centered around elders, and I just had a great respect for elders. I have an undergraduate degree in anthropology, but I've always had an affinity towards elders in a population. I guess that was the beginning of my interest in gerontology.

Is it difficult to work with patients with dementia?

It requires a certain amount of knowledge about dementia itself. I always say it's learning a new language and the language is called dementia, so you need to learn to approach people. You need to know what to say and what not to say. 

Can you describe an incident that really stands out to you?

I think one of the most interesting phone calls I ever received was from a woman who was 102. I will admit at first I thought it was somebody playing a joke on me, because she was calling to ask for help for her son. As it turns out, at the age of 102 she was taking care of her son, who was 80 years old and had a dementia process. 

She was legally blind, but here she is at the age of 102 trying to take care of her son. We did eventually diagnose her son and put services in place for both of them. It was pretty amazing. 

Is it ever unnerving to work with patients with dementia? Does it ever hit close to home?

My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease a number of years after I began doing this. I began seeing symptoms in my mother and that was difficult to recognize because not only was I doing this professionally, but I need to do it personally. 

I think it allows me greater insight into what caregivers go through so when I say to somebody, 'This is what you should be doing,' I'm saying this not only as a professional but also as a family caregiver. My mom did pass away a few years ago, but it did bring a personal insight.

What's your favorite thing about doing the work you do?

I think just knowing that I've helped a family through a tough time, made their journey through Alzheimer's a little bit easier, and having them say to me, 'You made a difference in our lives,' means the most to me. 

Anything else?

It's important for people to get help early on in the disease process. It can help people to function better with the medications that we can give to them. You can't stop disease progression, but you can allow an individual to maintain functioning for a longer period of time. It also gives families time to plan for long-term care needs, legal and financial issues, and just establishing a support network.

And finally, what are your favorite and least favorite things about living in Stony Brook?

I think it's a beautiful community. The only thing I hate are the high taxes, but that's all over Long Island. I think Stony Brook is a beautiful community and I've lived in Stony Brook for over 30 years. I like living in Stony Brook. It reminds me of New England and I'm originally from New England. You know, a little bit of home.

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