As we kick off our first Walks of 2022 this Saturday, September 10th, we would like to take a moment to recognize our dedicated Walk Team. Throughout the year, this team works tirelessly to ensure that we continue to raise awareness, fundraise for research and host successful walks across Washington State, North Idaho and Alaska. Learn a little more about each of our Walk the … Continue reading Meet Our Team: Walk to End Alzheimer’s
By Becky Scott, Walk to End Alzheimer’s® participant Mom’s Diagnosis My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in the spring of 2011. At the time, Mom and Dad were living in Scottsdale, Arizona, which is where they had planned on spending their retirement years. However, Mom’s diagnosis prompted their return to Eastern Washington because, as a family, we felt it was important that Mom be close to … Continue reading Remembering Mom: Why I Walk
Extreme heat can have a significant impact on everyone’s safety. It can be especially stressful and confusing for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementia. Alzheimer’s disease causes a number of changes in the brain and body that may affect their safety, including changes in sensitivity to temperatures. As we begin to see summer temperatures rise in the Pacific Northwest, it’s important to take extra care … Continue reading Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s in the Rising Summer Heat
By: Beth Hutchason, MN, ARNP What is palliative care? Okay, let’s start with a very frequent question: How do you pronounce this anyway? It is pronounced “PAL-ya-tive,” not “PALE-ee-ah-tive.” Congratulations! You are now on your way. Palliative care is a type of care unknown to more than two-thirds of U.S. residents. Worldwide, 40 million people need palliative care each year, and only 14% receive it. … Continue reading Five Benefits of Palliative Care
An Update from UW QSNA Winner The Queen Silvia Nursing Award (QSNA) is an international global dementia nursing award addressing better quality of care for people living with dementia through ideas and solutions promoted by nursing students and nurses. The UW School of Nursing was elected as the first academic partner in the United States to bestow the Queen Silvia Nursing Award for dementia care … Continue reading An Update from University of Washington School of Nursing & The Dementia Palliative Care Network
With Mother’s Day fast approaching, we would like to take a moment to honor the inspiring women in our lives. Read our tributes below as we reflect on motherhood and celebrate all who love and care for those around us. Happy Mother’s Day with love from the ALZWA team! “To anyone who doesn’t know these two people, it looks like a nice walk in the … Continue reading With Love From the ALZWA Team: A Mother’s Day Tribute
By: Beth Hutchason, ARNP Can we take a moment to talk about something difficult? If you would rather not, that is fine too. From my experience, many people have been unable to talk about emotionally-charged subjects such as grief. I would like to give those people the space to do so here. Any major holidays are naturally stressful for people who are grieving. However, in … Continue reading Grief: The Elephant in the Room
Don Desonier became an Alzheimer’s Association volunteer after losing his wife, Nancy, to early-onset dementia. This year, he is participating in The Longest Day® in her honor. A woman of grace, beauty and limitless love Don’s wife, Nancy, was a professional flute performer and teacher, having graduated from UCLA with a degree in flute performance. Little did she know that her talent and love for … Continue reading My Journey in Honoring Nancy: The Longest Day
By Colleen Kienbaum, RN-BSN It’s that time of year again — the time when households all over America set their clocks forward and lose an extra hour of precious sleep during the night. For people living with or providing care to someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, the time change can also be the beginning of a change in routine. Some changes that come with … Continue reading Daylight Saving Time and Alzheimer’s Disease
Dr. Luciana Mascarenhas Fonseca received funding from the Alzheimer’s Association Research Fellowship to Promote Diversity Program for her project, “Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers, vascular risk factors and cognitive variability in aging adults with Type 1 diabetes.” Here, we ask her some questions about her background and the important research she’s currently undertaking. Tell us a little about yourself. How did you first become involved in Alzheimer’s … Continue reading Alzheimer’s and Type 1 Diabetes: Q&A with Dr. Luciana Mascarenhas Fonseca
