The Alzheimer’s Association Washington State Chapter invites you to attend the Journey Dementia Family Caregiver Conference, being held at the Lynnwood Convention Center on March 5, 2022. Continue reading Journey 2022: Conference Program
By: Amanda Johanson Hi, my name is Amanda Johanson. My father, Mark, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s two-and-a-half years ago at the age of 61. Alzheimer’s runs in my family on my dad’s side. Both my grandma and great aunt passed away from Alzheimer’s — although they didn’t receive their diagnosis until much later in life. My dad graduated from Purdue University with an engineering … Continue reading Finding Support: Facing My Dad’s Diagnosis
This article was originally published in the Summer 2021 issue of ALZ, a magazine of the Alzheimer’s Association. ALZ magazine shares inspiration and information about the fight to end Alzheimer’s — and offers tips on how to make your brain the focus of a healthy lifestyle. Subscribe today to get the next issue delivered right to your mailbox! Food can create snapshots in time — … Continue reading Around the Table with Brian Canlis
By: Gloria Youngblood How many times have you passed a flyer, not really noticing it? Or perhaps seeing a picture of a lost cat or dog, taking a quick glimpse? Or, there is a picture of a missing person and you think, “How sad I hope they find him or her?” Perhaps you don’t believe you could be the one to help find a missing … Continue reading Giving Thanks: Community Helps Bring Dad Home Safe
By Lori Murphy We started noticing some issues with Dad’s short-term memory in 2005. He was always a great conversationalist, and he loved to chat with my sisters and me and our families — especially his grandchildren. After we had to repeat the answer to a question that he asked three times within two minutes, we knew that something wasn’t quite right. It was obvious … Continue reading In Memory of Mom and Dad: Why I Walk
By: Karen Plate During her mother’s journey with dementia, Karen used poetry as a way to process and express the many emotions she experienced as a dementia caregiver. Karen hopes her poetry will help other dementia caregivers know they are not alone in what they are experiencing. To learn more about Karen and read more of her poetry, view Through a Daughter’s Eyes: A collection … Continue reading Documenting Mom’s Journey: A Collection of Poems
By: Erika Roden My name is Erika Roden. I am the middle child, my mom was a single mom of me and my two sisters. I am from Everett, WA and currently live in Arlington, WA with my husband Scott and our two daughters, Kirsten and Rebecca. I participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in honor of my mother who has early-onset dementia and … Continue reading Honoring Mom and Dad: Why I Walk
A couple of months ago when it was clear Liz needed hospice care, there was no question Rick and I would be there for her, even though neither of us had any hospice experience. The pandemic turned out to be a blessing in my situation as it allowed me to work from home, so we set up mom (on what was to be her “deathbed”) adjacent to my home office. Continue reading Mom’s Greatest Gift: Life lessons from a pandemic, dementia and a supportive work family
Before this disease, Mom was a beautiful, strong and faithful woman with incredible intelligence and always so well put together. She was talented, creative, a great seamstress and baker. We had no idea when we started this journey that even lifetime skills and basic activities of daily living would be hard or not even doable with Alzheimer’s disease. Continue reading Memories of Mom: The Longest Day
Catherine Harrison grew up in the small town of St. Helens, OR with her parents and older sister. They had a view of Mount St. Helens from the picture window in their living room. This year for The Longest Day, Catherine will be hiking Mount St. Helens in honor of her mother. Continue reading Mount St. Helens for Mom: The Longest Day
