Jo Ann O’Quin, who started the Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Caregiver Support group in 1986, has given caregivers of those with dementia-related illnesses an outlet to exchange ideas, learn methods of symptom management and encourage one another each month for 31 years.

We commend O’Quin for her service to our community, and for giving those who have the responsibility of caring for patients a way to connect with and support one another.

Lafayette County is fortunate to have O’Quin as a resource, as she is highly qualified to lead such a group. She is a University of Mississippi professor emerita of social work and a gerontologist who has studied Alzheimer’s disease for a number of years.

We also commend O’Quin for finding a way to help caregivers manage the disease until a cure is discovered.

“My true hope is that I can one day say that we no longer need this type of support group, but until we find a cause and cure, we are here to provide education, resources and understanding,” O’Quin said.

The group’s meeting takes place tonight from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Brookdale Senior Living. We encourage caregivers of those with dementia to be in attendance.