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.