Click here to view the entire 2009 Winter Newsletter.
My Story KATHRYN M. O’CONNOR
| Thirty years ago, my maternal grandmother was diagnosed with "senile dementia." Her children were the frontline caregivers, but I recall one of the more distressing concerns that emerged was observing heightened anxiety in my little grandmother. Over time, care and supervision needs grew; the "wanting to leave" and search for a past home was challenging and emotional. My parents, aunts and uncles rallied to grandma’s care and maintained her at home safely for as long as possible until her care needs exceeded what could be provided. |
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If today was my first encounter with dementia of any type, I would contact the Alzheimer’s Association for up-to-date information, support groups and educational programs.
Today, in my role as a licensed social worker with a geriatric assessment team, I have the privilege of witnessing courage and creativity as patients and their families cope to live life to the fullest even with dementia. Every day has value and I hope to continue learning from my patients and families for a long time to come.
I would love to see the Alzheimer’s Association expand on the work they already do, but especially the in-home caregiver team. This particular service line is very helpful to patients and their families as it provides an individualized care assessment that addresses so many of the challenging symptoms that dementia can cause and gives guidance as to how best to manage them.
Click here to view the entire 2009 Winter Newsletter.
Advocates in ACTION
by Gail Thomas, Advocacy Director
 Gail Thomas gthomas@alz.org |
Advocates across the United States are reaching out to new and returning members of the 111th Congress (their U.S. Senators and Representatives) about Alzheimer’s disease. Our Central Ohio Chapter family of Advocates has been gearing up to:
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Being recognized early as a valuable resource in the community by legislators will make it easier to ask for their support on future legislation that helps people with dementia and their caregivers.
As a result of the national recession, Ohio is facing an unprecedented budget shortfall between now and the end of fiscal year 2009 on June 30.
At no increase in funds for the next biennial budget for Fiscal Years 2010-11 (FY 2010-2011), Ohio is projected to have a $7.3 billion deficit. If each state agency is funded at 90 percent for FY2010-11, Ohio would still have a $4.7 billion deficit for the coming biennium.
In the coming months look for information on how our 14-county service area can work together to assure our stories and our needs will be fairly represented and heard from Main Street to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. We can’t afford to be on the sidelines.
Become part of the conversation. Reach out to us at www.alz.org/centralohio and at www.actionalz.org. or email me directly at gthomas@alz.org.
Click here to view the entire 2009 Winter Newsletter.
Planned Giving – Plan for your future and help us FIGHT ALZHEIMER’S
Consider leaving a legacy of support by making a planned gift to the Alzheimer’s Association. Planned gifts allow you to combine your charitable giving goals with your estate and financial planning goals. Your gift will provide lasting benefits by supporting Alzheimer’s research and community education and support programs.
 Greg Winslow gwinslow@alz.org |
A simple way to make a planned gift is to include the Alzheimer’s Association in your will. Here is sample bequest language you can provide your attorney: “I give to the Alzheimer’s Association, Central Ohio Chapter, whose office address is 3380 Tremont Road, Columbus, OH 43221, ____ (insert either dollar amount or a percentage) in support of its full mission.” For more information on leaving a bequest or other planned giving opportunities, contact GregWinslow, (614) 457-6003 or gwinslow@alz.org |
Click here to view the entire 2009 Winter Newsletter.
Memory WALKS (2009)
Ross County
May 2, 2009 | Saturday
Yoctangee Park, Chillicothe, Ohio
http://memorywalk09.kintera.org/chillicothe
Franklin County
June 20, 2009 | Saturday
Fred Beekman Park, OSU, Columbus, Ohio
http://memorywalk09.kintera.org/columbus
Marion and Morrow Counties
September 19, 2009 | Saturday (OSU away game)
Marion County Fairgrounds, Marion, Ohio
http://memorywalk09.kintera.org/marionmorrow
Click here to view the entire 2009 Winter Newsletter.
Click here to view the entire 2009 Winter Newsletter.
Below are some of the stories you will find in the 2009 Annual Report.
Click here to view the entire 2009 Annual Report.
New year, new hope
By Becky Love
| Andrew J. Love is a loving husband, father, grandfather, friend, consummate volunteer and successful attorney. Andy is experiencing the devastating effect of Pick’s Disease, the most common of the fronto temporal dementias. Andy’s wife Becky credits the work of the Central Ohio Chapter in helping the family navigate through the difficult decisions and uncertainties people with Alzheimer’s and their families face at every stage of the disease. “When the Alzheimer’s Association says you have a 24-hour-a-day friend… what they really mean is we have a partner in this struggle for as long as we need one.” |  |
Click here to view the entire 2009 Annual Report.
Sisters praise Alzheimer’s Association help
By Diane Westhoff and Renea Talbott
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Our first reaction, we’re sure, was like every family facing a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease: It can’t be happening to our family. Mom and Dad were probably told about Mom’s illness approximately four years ago. However they didn’t tell us—their daughters — at that time. We were taken completely off guard, although as we learned about the signs of the disease, we could then look back and “see” how Mom fit those patterns of early onset. (We came to appreciate also that our mother’s younger sister also probably had Alzheimer’s before she died). |
As we learned more about Alzheimer’s we wanted to become proactive and not as reactive as we had been in the past. The Alzheimer’s Association, Central Ohio Chapter, helped all of us immensely with new thinking. Our main concern, of course, was how to obtain the best treatment for Mom and understanding how as a family to provide the best quality of life Mom and Dad both deserved. Our Dad is 81 and has been dealing with Mom’s symptoms for many years and is her primary caregiver.
The Alzheimer’s Association education classes have been the greatest support by far. About two years ago without an appointment we went to the Alzheimer’s Association, Central Ohio Chapter. Andrea met us and scheduled a home visit with the Caregiver Support Team. She also encouraged us to take advantage of those classes, which have helped both of us not only to face each phase of the disease with more confidence, but also being able to cope with and be effective in the supportive role of helping Dad as the primary caregiver.
The message we would like to extend to the supporters of the Alzheimer’s Association, Central Ohio Chapter, is that their funding has resulted in Mom and Dad’s lives being fuller and more complete because of the ongoing education we’ve received.
Mom has been doing quite well since the early summer, once we go all her medications right. We’ve been able to keep her busy with projects that let her continue to be the loving parent she has always been. She has been knitting scarves for friends and loved ones. Mom loves keeping “my brain busy,” and giving to others.
Thanks you so very much for all the support you have provided us.
Click here to view the entire 2009 Annual Report.
