By the time Donna Braley saw a newspaper article about Stepping Stones — a local Alzheimer’s support group that meets at Texas Woman’s University — she was not doing well.

After a brief illness, her husband, Sonny Braley, began to show signs of confusion and disorientation.

DRC/Lori Forgay

Donna and Sonny Braley share a moment at the conclusion of a Stepping Stones meeting. The couple began attending the support group after Sonny was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

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“They did a CT scan and the doctor didn’t seem worried about it,” Donna Braley remembered.

And even as Sonny Braley’s symptoms grew more pronounced and the couple made an appointment at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Braley said she kept hoping she had made a mistake. Her husband was probably fine.

But the diagnosis did come: Sonny Braley had Alzheimer’s disease.

Donna Braley said her reaction was simply one of terror.

“It took me 35 years to find a good man, and I didn’t want to lose him,” she said tearfully.

The couple immediately began to research the disease and how to manage it. They decided to participate in Stepping Stones, which offers activities for both patients with the disease and their caregivers.

That was nearly two and a half years ago. Today, the Denton couple still attends meetings. In the client group, Sonny Braley, a 74-year-old who served 23 years in the military, is one of the most able-bodied participants and he embraces the activities.

Married for more than two decades, the Braleys are originally from Wisconsin and have five children between them, most of whom live in other areas of the country.

“We really don’t have much family here — that is why Stepping Stones is so important,” Donna Braley said.

In addition to the support they receive through Stepping Stones, the couple will attend a daylong workshop Saturday at TWU, where Jolene Brackey will present “Creating Moments of Joy for the Person With Alzheimer’s or Dementia.”

Sponsored by Stepping Stones and TWU, the workshop is designed for families, caregivers and professionals dealing with Alzheimer’s.

Brackey, author of Creating Moments of Joy, is a writer and speaker known around the country for her practical suggestions for people dealing with Alzheimer’s.

“She is very down to earth and wants to get the word out to folks,” said Diane Brown, a clinical professor of occupational therapy at TWU and co-founder of Stepping Stones.

The workshop is designed for those caring for Alzheimer’s or dementia patients to help learn more in the following areas: designing a familiar environment, developing an individual program that defines a holistic approach and enabling a person with Alzheimer’s to function as independently as possible.

“There is a real hopefulness at these kinds of conferences,” Brown said. “[Participants] are going to go away thinking, ‘I can do this.’”

Geri Sams, a social worker, geriatric care manager and co-founder of Stepping Stones, cautioned caregivers against being a “deer in the headlights or an ostrich” burying its head in the sand. “Know where you are and what is coming next,” Sams said.

She said it’s also important to get support.

“In many families, the primary caregiver ends up with health issues,” Sams said. “It’s important to take time to understand and tackle these issues. It’s management — it doesn’t go away.”

While life spans vary, many people live an average of 20 years after diagnosis, and every 70 seconds someone else joins the 5.5 million people diagnosed with the disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Daily routines and rituals help the Braleys cope. Their special hangout is Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Golden Triangle Mall.

DRC/Lori Forgay

Since learning to knit, Sonny Braley has made 150 baby hats to be donated to Denton Regional Medical Center. Knitting was something Braley took up at the Denton Senior Center after his Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

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“We meet there every Wednesday,” Donna Braley said. “It’s good socialization.”

Sonny Braley also recently took up knitting at the Denton Senior Center and personally knitted 150 baby hats to be donated to infants at Denton Regional Medical Center.

“I never knitted before,” he said, adding that he was eight hats away from his goal.

While some families act guarded about a loved one’s recent Alzheimer’s diagnosis, the Braleys were willing to be open about their experiences.

“We have nothing to hide or be ashamed of,” Donna Braley said. “Maybe we can help someone else.”

“Creating Moments of Joy” will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at TWU in the Administration Conference Tower.

Cost is $29 for certified nursing assistants, home health aides and family members. Cost is $59 for professional caregivers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, social workers and speech therapists. Register online at www.twu.edu/ce or call TWU Lifelong Learning at 940-898-3466.

LORI FORGAY can be reached at 940-566-6845. Her e-mail address is lforgay@dentonrc.com.