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
My name is Becky Smith (aka “Ponytail Girl” as my dad called me). My dad, Henry Leroy Wood, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in the early 2000s. My two brothers, Rick and Scott, as well as my mother Jan, have shared with me some memories and the reasons why we have chosen to participate in the North Central Washington Walk to End Alzheimer’s as Leroy’s Team. Continue reading Fighting for families like ours: Why I Walk
am 43 years old and from Guadalajara, Mexico. I am the youngest of 11 kids that my mom had — yes, 11! As the youngest of my family, I usually took care of my mom’s needs. We started to notice some changes in my mom’s behavior around eight years ago. She seemed sadder. She was usually pretty much an independent woman, strong and happy. She smiled at all people, and was a friendly and nice lady. Continue reading It’s for you Chelito: Why I Walk
By: Bethmarie Fahey For the past year, I’ve been writing about caring for my elderly mother with Alzheimer’s. I’ve written pages on the effects of the disease, how it stole the vibrant, fun-loving person I knew and left behind a stranger. My world revolved around her current state of mind and what I needed to do to protect her from harm. My time wasn’t my … Continue reading Moving On – Life After Death
By Janet Tarbutton My name is Janet Tarbutton. I live in Liberty Lake, WA with my husband, Alan. We were high school sweethearts in Orange, CA. We went to rival town high schools and met at church. We are celebrating 42 years of marriage in July 2020. We love to travel, play golf and be outdoors as much as possible. We have so many wonderful … Continue reading A role reversal in our marriage: Becoming a caregiver
By Lynxie Voorhees My name is Lynxie Voorhees and I am from Mukilteo, Washington. I am a senior at Kamiak High School and plan on attending Barnard College this coming fall. One of my passions in life is rowing. I discovered rowing through a friend who began rowing in college, and I decided to join the summer after my sophomore year of high school. I … Continue reading Rowing in honor of my dad: The Longest Day
We are all feeling the effects of being physically distanced from our family, friends, colleagues and teammates during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Longest Day is a wonderful opportunity to come together virtually, share in a joyful activity and make a difference in the lives of people impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The Longest Day is the day with the most light — the summer … Continue reading 25 Ways to Fundraise from Home for The Longest Day
Mother’s Day celebrations for families affected by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia can be bittersweet and challenging, even under the best of circumstances. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic adds new complexities to the mix. Social distancing guidelines, travel restrictions and safety protocols in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities may prevent you from celebrating together in person. This may seem daunting and difficult to accept, … Continue reading Celebrating Mother’s Day During COVID-19
During these uncertain times, many people are experiencing their stress levels rise as normal routines have been disrupted by COVID-19 and local stay-at-home orders. It is easy to feel alone and more isolated than ever. The Alzheimer’s Association Washington State Chapter has care consultants who are working every day to help individuals and families facing dementia. Our care consultants are on the frontline, lending a … Continue reading On the Frontline: Meet Our Care Consultants
By: Alan Jaffe My name is Alan Jaffe. I am 81 years old and retired, and I volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association Washington State Chapter. I have had a very diversified life in careers and education. However, the constant aspect of my life over all of those years has been my relationship with my wife, Gail. We were married for 58 years from 1960-2018. l … Continue reading Volunteering for Gail, my forever friend
