I recorded an audiobook version of “Her Beautiful Brain,” my 2014 memoir about my mother, who died at 74 after nearly two decades of living with Alzheimer’s disease. Continue reading Giving Voice to Alzheimer’s: The Longest Day
The holidays are often a joyous time, but they can also be overwhelming, especially for families affected by Alzheimer’s or dementia. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic adds new challenges, especially for older adults who may have underlying health conditions and are at the greatest risk of complications due to the novel coronavirus. Continue reading Navigating dementia and COVID-19 this holiday season
Every day I deliver a tray of iced coffee with cream on the side to my 54-year-old daughter, Lynne, who is living with Alzheimer’s dementia — and who is now isolated to her apartment in assisted living. Continue reading Caring for the Gaps During My Daughter’s COVID-19 Isolation
This year’s Clacey McNary Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Karen Marez. Continue reading Grief into Grit: Journey of an Alzheimer’s Advocate
There are a lot of other words that I could use to describe this disease, but I think this is the one I lean on the most. It’s impossible to encompass all the emotions I have about it in one word. Completely impossible. Continue reading This is difficult: Why I Walk
Jaxon is the leader of his Walk to End Alzheimer’s team, Jax’s End ALZ Army, one of the top fundraising teams for the Spokane Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Jaxon walks in honor of his grandma, who has been living with Alzheimer’s disease since 2013. This June, Jax turned 9 years old. Jax lives in Cheney, WA with his mom, dad and older sister Jordan. When … Continue reading Making Grandma Smile: Why I Walk
By Michele Rufer I am Michele Rufer from Mill Creek, WA and I was a stay-at-home mom for my two kids most of their young lives. My husband and I will celebrate 25 years of marriage next year. I started my own business in 2013, which allowed me the flexibility to set my own hours. It was so great when the kids were little, and … Continue reading For the most loving person I know: Why I Walk
By: Dorothy Bagsby My name Dorothy Bagsby, I live in Seattle. I retired from The Port of Seattle as a Lease Accountant III with 30 years of service. I have a bachelor’s degree in business administration, minor in sociology and two years of graduate study in public administration. I am a Certified Manager. I love reading, walking, music, attending church, participating in community charity and … Continue reading Caregiving with my sisters: Why I Walk
The Aging with Pride: IDEA (Innovations in Dementia Empowerment and Action) study is the first federally-funded research study examining ways to improve the health and quality of life for adults aged 50 and older in the LGBTQ community with memory loss and their caregivers. It tests a tailored approach to improve physical function and independence, addressing the unique needs of LGBTQ older adults who frequently … Continue reading Aging with Pride: IDEA (Innovations in Dementia Empowerment and Action)
My father had Alzheimer’s disease, as did his mother (my paternal grandmother). My dad, Hans Harder, was the first man I ever loved. He was an athlete, WSU Alumni and a farmer who loved sports and raising cattle. He was the most generous person I knew. As a child, I remember him giving money to strangers on the street when we went to town. Continue reading For the first man I ever loved: Why I Walk
