Alzheimer's Annual Conference

This years annual conference was held at the Holiday Inn in Springfield.  I have participated in most of the conferences and I have to report this years conference was very professional, to the point and actually fun.

Liz VonWellSheim GNP, Dr. Larkin and Mike Lee and Judy Good all spoke.  Liz gave a wonderful talk on behaviors and dementia, Dr. Larkin spoke about the disease process and Mike Lee and Judy Good conveyed the most recent information regarding clinical trials.

Sheldon Park was a proud platinum sponsor and while the company I work for supported this worthwhile cause, I also volunteered my time.  I was glad to help and support the new Director Michael Cross as he rolled out his first Alzheimer's Conference.  The team of volunteers was one of the best I have had the opportunity to work with.  Sandra Gainor - OnSite Dental, Bill Gauske - South Towne, Rod Holst - Adult Living Solutions, Molly - Chateau Gardens were all dedicated.  I have to also include Carey Gross another Sheldon Park employee who was always able and willing to support for any odds and ends.

I am hopeful the people who were such supporters of the previous director will eventually come to terms with the fact that the Alzheimer's Association is a live and well with out them.  Michael Cross while supported by volunteers, still had to do the groundwork and structure for the conference by himself and was able to without an office of volunteers at his beckon call.   Perhaps it's time to remember why the Alzheimer's local office was formed and get back to supporting the cause.

Walk to End Alzheimer's

The annual Alzheimer's walk will be held 10-9-2011, 2 pm at Alton Baker Park.  There will be information booths, entertainment, food and a memory wall.  To fight this disease I believe we need to come together as a community, support each other and help where needed.  It's hard to be a caregiver and the more support someone has, the better they will be at giving the care.  So come on out, show your support and walk.

Change Was Bound To Happen

Frank Hales has been replaced by Michael Cross.  Initially, I believe, it was a difficult transition for most people who knew Frank and were use to his style of managing and frankly had become close friends with him.  Michael arrived into chaos.  It's been several months and I see good changes evolving.  The hurt feelings of Frank's departure still linger in some but it's time to focus on the task at hand and not the politics which swirl through every organization.  If we keep focused we will find our way.

That said, the Educational Conference is scheduled for November.   Local professionals will be speaking about the disease process and relaying information that is spot on.  Dr.  Larkin, Liz VonWellsheim GNP, Judy Good, RN.  There will be no break out sessions, just straight good information.  I am so thrilled by this line up I can't express it in words.  Professional, local, hitting the heart of the matter.  Please consider attending 11-12-2011!

Alzheimer's Memory Walk

10-10-10 is the date!  Save it, circle it and walk with us at the Alzheimer's Memory Walk.  We will be walking at Alton Baker Park.  It's so much fun to get together as a community and commit to this worthwhile cause.  I think many times people don't think of Alzheimer's disease until personally affected.  It's not usually a young person's disease like some of the cancers so it doesn't get talked about much amongst friends and family until the day it becomes personal.   As the years go by and more and more of your friends and family are diagnosed you will understand the importance of education and support.  It is a disease that strips bit by bit of the whole person.   It is heartbreaking for loved ones to watch and the support of others is the one thing most needed.

Annual Conference!

The Annual Conference will be June 5th at the Eugene Faith Center.  A year of preparation and planning has gone into the conference.    The first meeting of the Education Committee after a conference is spent reviewing what was perfect and what could have been done differently.  Then the brainstorming and prep starts for the next year.

Faces and Voices of Alzheimer's a Community Collage is the name of this years conference.  Although a tad bit wordy, hopefully it conveys that it takes a village, or a community to support caregivers, those diagnosed and anyone affected by this disease. 

The speakers for this year will be outstanding.  I have been a nurse caring for patients with Alzheimer's Disease for 17 years now and each year I learn something new plus I am reminded of things I have forgotten about the disease. (ironic)

The speaker I am most excited about hearing is Joseph F. Quinn, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Neurology Oregon Health & Sciences University.

Join us if you can.  It is one day out of 365.  You never know who has been or will be diagnosed with this disease.   This one day may make a profound difference in the upcoming year.

The Money Is Still Coming In!

It has been two weeks since the Memory Walk and the donations keep coming in.  I am so thankful and happy folks are still donating to our team.  It's been a tough year all over so any money donated is  appreciated.  Looking forward, the Education Committee will be working on the Education Series and Annual Alzheimer's conference.  We also are working to establish an Art For Alzheimer's show that will be a stop on the Eugene, First Friday Art Walk.  Remember the Alzheimer's Association is also a resource for other dementias as well. 

Memory Walk 2009

 Charisa and Jen putting the finishing touches on a photographic wall.