Sheri Dittrich, Geri Groebner, and Karla Hansel were instrumental in organizing the event, one in a series of educational sessions designed to inform and support the community.

The New Ulm Area Memory Care Friends works with local organizations, businesses and individuals to build understanding, identify community strengths and unmet needs, and connect people with resources for those living with dementia and their families.

Barb Dietz, who worked more than 30 years at Brown County Human Services as a social worker, supervisor and director, moderated the program. She began with a brief overview.

“Dementia is an umbrella term for people who have difficulty thinking, remembering, speaking and problem solving in their daily life,” Dietz said. “Dementia is not a disease, but a set of symptoms.”

Moderator Barb Dietz stands at the podium while a panel of local experts and residents—including Police Chief Dave Borchert, Kaitlin Gawrisch, Greg Peterson, Deb Egeland, and Cameron Ryer—discuss the personal, clinical, and safety challenges associated with dementia. Kathy Virnig, former director of adult day services, participates in the discussion via a live video feed on the large screen. (Photo by Amy Zents)

Kaitlin Gawrisch, community health improvement coordinator for the Heart of New Ulm project, spoke first about her family’s experience.

“My grandparents stepped in as full-time caregivers, isolating themselves and putting their own needs aside for years,” Gawrisch said. “Now I can really see the health consequences that has had for them.” 

She encouraged caregivers to practice self-care with three priorities.

“First, move your body in any way that brings you joy,” she said. “Second, preparing and feeding yourself foods that nourish you, our guts and our brain are connected. Then lastly, connecting with others.”

New Ulm Police Chief Dave Borchert, who also serves as a Brown County commissioner and is affiliated with South Central Emergency Medical System, shared the first-responder perspective. 

Dr. Ann Vogel, affectionately known as Doc Ann, holds a stuffed elephant and a handmade sun cutout Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the CAST Senior Center after speaking at the “Opening the Window to Dementia” program. Vogel shared the children’s book “Don’t Forget Eleanor” and distributed flowers and plants to attendees. (Photo by Amy Zents)

He described recurring calls involving people with dementia, including a case in which a man living with his longtime girlfriend, who had become his caregiver, grew agitated as his condition progressed. 

The relationship deteriorated, leading to multiple traffic incidents and, eventually, a domestic assault in which he threatened and assaulted her. Officers took away his guns for safety.

“We arrested him, took him into custody, and took him to jail,” Borchert said. “We recognize that wasn’t ideally the best place for this individual. However, at the end of the day, we had to create a safe environment.”

Other panelists included Geri Groebner, a longtime caregiver still assisting her mother; Greg Peterson, Brown County Veterans Service; nurse practitioner Cameron Ryer, Madelia Health – New Ulm Clinic; and Kathy Virnig, Adult Day Service.

Groebner spoke about the sudden health crises that can strike exhausted caregivers.

“You just don’t know,” Groebner said. “And then you are in a crisis situation.”

Peterson highlighted resources for veterans and families navigating dementia, stressing proactive support. 

“We have quite a few of our Vietnam vets who are now starting to suffer from dementia,” said Peterson.

One of the most poignant moments of the evening came from Deb Egeland, who shared her personal experience of being diagnosed with mild dementia last fall.

Egeland said her children first raised concerns about her forgetfulness, leading to a diagnosis she described as “extremely scary.”

“It’s mind-boggling to know your mind is starting to go,” Egeland said.

She expressed the fear of “losing yourself,” and the uncertainty of how quickly the condition might progress.

Ryer addressed clinical perspectives on early intervention and community care coordination.

Virnig, who had lived in New Ulm for 37 years and served as director of adult day services for 15 years, spoke about the loss of local adult day care and the critical need for that resource to support families.

“Adult day services were a significant benefit to the community, providing a much-needed break for caregivers,” Virnig said.

Groebner and others stressed the importance of advance planning, including arrangements for long-term care, and suggested expanding Dementia Friends training locally. She acknowledged challenges finding enough people willing to provide in-home care and the reluctance some older adults have to accept help in their homes.

Groebner said attendance was encouraging, with about 50 people at the Monday noon session earlier in the week. They hope future events will continue to grow and raise awareness.

After the formal question-and-answer period, Dr. Ann Vogel, affectionately known as Doc Ann, shared the children’s book “Don’t Forget Eleanor.”

The story follows a little elephant who adores his grandma elephant, Eleanor. They enjoyed weekly adventures together until Eleanor’s dementia caused her to become lost and eventually fail to recognize her grandson. 

The little elephant tried making signs to help her, and after her passing, he and his friends created a memory album filled with pictures to preserve the joyful times. 

Vogel then distributed flowers and small plants, including kalanchoe, noting that the local Hy-Vee store provided the beautiful flowers for each attendee to take home. 

“There’s always a sunny side to everything there is, if you look for it,” Doc Ann said.

Attendees were invited to visit a resource table afterward. Volunteer technician Darrel Brey assisted with the audio-visual setup.

The New Ulm Area Memory Care Friends continues to host monthly Memory Cafes, welcoming social gathers and similar programs at CAST. More information about upcoming events and resources is available through the group or at the senior center.