FARMINGTON -- Mary Frank took care of her late husband for several years as a rare brain disorder with symptoms very much like those of Alzheimer's disease slowly eroded his body and his mind.

For four years, she watched her husband become completely disabled by Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a little known but fatal degenerative brain disease with no known cure, which is often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.

What she learned from the experience was how important it is for caregivers to connect and learn from others how to provide care without sacrificing their own health.

"When people share what they are going through, when they find out there are other spouses at the same place, that is very valuable," said Frank, who lives in Farmington and has become a support group facilitator for the Maine chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

Frank is on a mission to spread the word to caregivers that there are places to go.

There are monthly support groups across Maine sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association and the agency provides a wealth of information at www.alz.org/maine or by calling (800) 272-3900.

The next support group in Farmington is this Wednesday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Franklin Memorial Hospital.

And a series of monthly "town meetings" is being offered by the Alzheimer's Association at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington starting Feb. 20 at 5:30 p.m.

Topics will include stages of dementia and what to expect as the disease progresses; understanding the disease; legal and financial issues; creating meaningful activities; and others.

Betty Jespersen -- 778-6991

bjespersen@centralmaine.com