YMCA of the Chesapeake expands dementia-support ‘Tandem’ in Easton and Centerville

Wendy Palmer, director of health interventions for the YMCA of the Chesapeake, described the YMCA's 'Tandem' program — short for the Alzheimer's and Dementia Encouragement Mission — and invited Easton-area residents to learn more and register.

"Tandem stands for the Alzheimer's n Dementia Encouragement Mission," Palmer said, adding that the program launched about a year and a half ago in Easton and meets twice weekly at the Easton YMCA on Washington Street. The sessions combine gentle exercise, collaborative art projects and social activities intended to reduce stress and improve mood for participants and provide respite and connection for care partners.

Palmer described a collaborative mosaic project the class made and an active group-text community among participants and caregivers. "We're giving them a toolbox of things they can do at home," she said, and noted the program helps both the person with memory loss and their care partner.

Palmer said Tandem currently serves the Easton and Centerville Ys and the Queen Anne's County Family Y and that the YMCA of the Chesapeake hopes to expand the offering to all 12 of its Ys in the near future. She also noted Parkinson's-focused Rocksteady Boxing programming has been expanded to Dorchester County at the Robins Family YMCA and that anyone in the state with a Parkinson's diagnosis can reach out for regional coaching connections.

To join or request information Palmer asked callers or emailers to contact the YMCA; she provided her email as wpalmer@ymcachesapeake.org and said staff will respond within 24 hours.

The program and contact information were announced on the Rabbi's Roundtable broadcast from the MCTV studio.