MALONE -- Mention the Grand Ole Opry to Joan Lavoie, and she lights up, moving in her seat and swaying her arms as if she were at a concert.

She listens to a CD and is able to sing along with Patsy Cline and others country-western stars from her youth.

But ask her to remember what happened 30 minutes ago, and she may get a faraway look in her eye and grow quiet.

Memory lapses and forgetfulness happen to all of us, but both can become more pronounced the older we get, in the form of Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia that can be caused by a stroke or other issues.

It's frustrating for the senior going through such a transition, but it is also stressful for the families and caregivers who are adjusting to a person's changing needs.

GROUP ACTIVITIES

Two new facilities in northern Franklin County now offer services, support and activities to help seniors stay sharp and to give those who love them a little time away from their constant responsibilities.

Third Age Adult Day Center is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Malone on the grounds of Alice Hyde Medical Center and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Akwesasne Senior Center.

Each senior is included in group activities that could include a crafting project or crocheting, yoga instruction, jewelry making, music therapy and any other stimulation that will help keep their minds busy.

There are also memory exercises and opportunities for the seniors to interact with each other, sharing their stories and experiences with one another and the staff.

Valerie Drown is the coordinator for the two centers and is based at the initial Third Age Adult Day Center in Plattsburgh; all three are programs of the Alzheimer's Disease and Assistance Center at Plattsburgh State.

While gathering information on memory patients and their needs at the Plattsburgh office, the staff learned there was a real need for the same type of services in Franklin County.

HOT LUNCHES

Drown said the agency secured a $90,000 grant through an Office for the Aging program to open each center, which can accommodate up to 12 people a day.

"We were finding people weren't getting very much socialization with other people or they were lonely or they just wanted to be more active, but couldn't be by themselves," she said.