| By Big Radio News Staff |

Walworth County expands a program for people with early-stage dementia.

The Memory Matters program offers socialization and cognitive stimulation activities.

Dementia care specialist Jake Sawyers says research shows such activities are best for staving off the progression of dementia.

Sawyers says cognitive stimulation includes any activities that involve manipulating objects and planning ahead such as word and number puzzles and arts and crafts.

The success of the program in 2024 led to a second staff member being assigned to help oversee the program, increasing the number of people who can participate. The county will also offer lunch.

Meetings will start in January and take place on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sugar Creek Lutheran Church in Elkhorn. Sawyers says anyone interested in registering a loved one for the program should call 262-741-3200.