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Frank Hales has been replaced by Michael Cross.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.

Memory Walk 2009

The Memory Walk was held today!  It was such a beautiful, fun and enjoyable event.  So much work and time went into the preparations and I can honestly say this year was by far the best yet.  Turn out was huge, there was a great car show, massage, espresso, food and entertainment.  In the middle of all the noise was the common thread of why we were there.  One of the huge moments for me was to see a man I have known for about five years who has early onset Alzheimer's.  I believe he is currently in his early 50s.  He has changed.  He has grown old quickly, lost weight and certainly did not remember me.  Poof the memory is gone.  In the gorgeous park with the sun shining down, there was the stark reminder of why we need education, why we need to support each other and why we need to start talking about this disease more than ever.  It is coming.  It will affect some of my friends locally, my friends on Facebook and business acquaintances.  All of us will be touched by this disease in some way.  Unfortunately, we believe the disease is years away but time passes quick and with the blink of an eye, life as we know it can change forever.

Memory Walk

This next Sunday is the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk in Eugene, Oregon. It seems at this time we have walks for many medical conditions. So, you may ask "if everyone is walking and raising money, where does the money go?" As a member of the education committee I can tell you some of it goes into education and support. Families who have no where to turn have found refuge in the guiding and practical wisdom of the organization. Questions are answered, friendships and support buddies are made. Hope is restored. Not hope for a cure but hope for guidance.

We all know there are families needing the same assistance but don't know where to turn. Through conferences and special educational events we are hoping to find them.

The Alzheimer's Association is not just for Alzheimer's it is also a support for folks with related dementias. If you have a friend or loved one who is showing signs of memory impairment schedule a physician's visit immediately. You, in the blink of an eye have just assumed a role. It is called a patient advocate. Seek out the Alzheimer's Association and educate yourself, familiarize yourself with the disease process and most of all advocate, advocate, advocate. Push the doctors for more time during visits, seek out a geriatric specialist who knows this subject well, question and inform yourself. I would caution you about spending hours on the internet. Seek information about the disease so you can ask pertinent questions. Do not use the internet to second guess the medical professionals. Too many times a family member will take a snipet from the internet and use that to have the physician change medications around. In two weeks the same thing happens etc. This is a major issue and can cause significant harm to the individual. Invite other friends and family members to assist you. The beginning phases are difficult but the road will just get more complicated and hard. You will need a good support system.

World Alzheimer's Day

World Alzheimer's Day is September 21st. Campbell Senior Center will be holding a special event 11:00 am - 12:30 pm on Sept. 21st. Sheldon Park is underwriting a play on Alzheimer's by the Lord Leebrick Theater and Fran Curtis will be speaking about her role as a daughter/caregiver of a parent with Alzheimer's Disease. Please join the local Alzheimer's Association, families and friends to recognize this special day.

The Alzheimer's Association is not just for individuals with Alzheimer's Disease. Many times people believe that if their loved one has a non- Alzheimer's type dementia that the Alzheimer's Association cannot assist them this is not true. The Alzheimer's Association is available to anyone with dementia.

Educational Conference

Every year the Alzheimer's Association holds an educational conference. I attended my first conference last year and was very impressed with the speakers, volunteers and the overall enthusiasm and sense of community. The day was a huge success. You know when you can cry and laugh in the same day and come away with a sense of hope - it was a good conference.

The Alzheimer's Memory Walk was held last year on October 12th. The day was so warm and beautiful. A day for remembrance and prayers, to come together and walk. Will the money raised help you ask? For a cure - I would say maybe not. For support and educational programs - most surely. I am not a pessimist but I unfortunately believe if there is a cure for the disease right behind it is another disease. Ever since I was old enough to remember I can recall folks who had what we called "senility". Was this actually Alzheimer's back then? I would suspect it probably was in many cases. The difference is that the disease and it's symptoms has now reached the 21st century. It has many faces; Ronald Reagan, Charlton Heston, grandparents, maybe a spouse or the neighbor nextdoor. No one is immune. The experts always say people need to do cognitive exercises, keep learning, eat right, exercise and get rest etc. I have known brilliant folks who eat organic produce and exercise but still have acquired the disease. Of course the argument is they probably would have shown signs sooner if they had not done those things. In any event I believe it is in numbers we can support each other. Coming together on a warm, fall day demonstrates our desire to lend a hand, to lift someone up who needs support and at the same time to lend a shoulder.

Eugene Alzheimer's Educational Committee in Action

I am fortunate to be on the educational committee for the Eugene Alzheimer's Association. I have not been as involved until this past year as I would have liked. Work, family and life were filling up my days. I had all I could do to keep my head above water. Now my life has gotten into a predictable routine and I am able to give some time. I am always amazed how a group of individuals can start with an idea and through meetings and conversations, planning and hard work see it turn into a fantastic event. We are in the planning stages of the Annual Alzheimer's Conference. Last year I was floored by the wonderful speakers and the community support. This year will be bigger and better! I believe alone trying to navigate the unknown waters of Alzheimer's Disease a family member is struck with despair. Reaching out to someone in your family, your life, your neighborhood, even the grocery store or at church just to let someone know they are not alone is so important. We are strong as a group and can support each other.