Woman and her daughter at a doctor's appointment

Two New DPEN Initiatives Aim to Strengthen Dementia Care

By: UW Dementia Palliative Education Network (DPEN) Team Dementias are prevalent, debilitating conditions with far-reaching health and social effects. An aging U.S. population means that there will likely be a 50% increase in demand for dementia care by 2025. But large gaps exist in the US healthcare system for people living with dementia. With almost four million registered nurses — the largest part of the … Continue reading Two New DPEN Initiatives Aim to Strengthen Dementia Care

Glenn kissing Pam on the cheeck at Christmas

Things I Miss: Making Every Minute Count

By Glenn Jacobs, Puyallup, Wash. Hi there, my name is Glenn. It has been three-and-half years since my wife, Pam passed away from Alzheimer’s. We were married in 1969, so it was a long time that we had been married. We first learned about her diagnosis only three years prior to her death, so that wasn’t a very long time at all. It was a … Continue reading Things I Miss: Making Every Minute Count

Taryn Jensen on vacation with her boys

My First Valentine: There’s No Love Like a Mother’s Love

By Brady Jensen My mom’s 10-year decline with Alzheimer’s disease began when she was 55 and ended last year. I miss her more than anything and have for the last few years. On Valentine’s day last year, I was snowed in and started writing down my thoughts. My mom used to make my brothers and me foot-by-foot pink heart-shaped sugar cookies topped with a cursive-frosting … Continue reading My First Valentine: There’s No Love Like a Mother’s Love

Patti and her parents on

Finding and Sharing Love: The Longest Day

By Patti LaFleur, The Longest Day® participant My name is Patti. I am 35. I am a lover, I am a (former) Kindergarten teacher, I am a fantastic friend, a dog mom and a wife to my amazing husband. I wear my heart on my sleeve and I love sharing my journey with others. My husband, my mom, our two bull terriers (Dakota and Sitka) … Continue reading Finding and Sharing Love: The Longest Day

Health care team looking at tablet together

UW Nursing Scholar Selected For Prestigious Dementia Care Award

By: UW Dementia Palliative Education Network (DPEN) Team UW School of Nursing student Michael Drake has been selected as the second U.S. recipient of the UW Queen Silvia Nursing Award for dementia care.   Drake’s winning idea is the development of QRx, a safe and secure mobile platform that patients can use to share important information to medical providers and/or caregivers via an individualized QR code … Continue reading UW Nursing Scholar Selected For Prestigious Dementia Care Award

Advocating for resources to help families impacted by dementia

Rep. Bateman has represented the 22nd Legislative District in the Olympia area since being elected in 2020, and is the vice-chair of the House Health Care and Wellness Committee. She is also on the Capital Budget and the Housing, Human Services & Veterans Committees. Rep. Bateman spoke at the Public Policy Town Hall on Nov. 9, 2021. The following is a transcript. I am so … Continue reading Advocating for resources to help families impacted by dementia

Finding Support: Facing My Dad’s Diagnosis

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

Around the Table with Brian Canlis

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

Giving Thanks: We Count Our Blessings

By: Emily Bennett, Kenmore  Thanksgiving 2020Thanksgiving after a year of loss, loss for the world outside and loss for me. My husband’s dementia has increased and the man who was once chief of staff, wrote four books and was often an after-dinner speaker at events cannot use his cell phone, follow a program on TV or remember his grandchildren. He is also declining physically in … Continue reading Giving Thanks: We Count Our Blessings

My Advocacy Story: Bruce Holroyd

By: Bruce Holroyd My name is Bruce Holroyd. Earlier this year, I became the Ambassador to Rep. Rick Larsen of Washington’s Second Congressional District. In this role, I will be working with the Washington State Chapter to keep Rep. Larsen’s office updated as to the dementia needs of his constituency. I am also working to increase membership on our Alzheimer’s Congressional Team. About me  I … Continue reading My Advocacy Story: Bruce Holroyd