When Allison’s father was diagnosed with dementia, she didn’t know anything about the disease and, as a now sandwich generation caregiver, struggled to care for both him and her young daughter. After his death, Allison found healing and purpose through the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® in Monterey. Now a dedicated Walk Committee member, she helps raise awareness and support for others facing similar challenges, honoring her father’s legacy by turning her experience into meaningful action.

The wine guy

George was well known in his local community as “the wine guy.” He was funny, keeping a folded up piece of paper in his wallet of his favorite jokes. George was well known in town and to this day, his daughter Allison, still runs into strangers who knew her dad.

Having spent most of his career working as a wine purchaser for a local resort, he dreamed of opening his own store. When he retired that dream became a reality. “Dad enjoyed family, food and wine. It was his passion,” said Allison. “He personally tasted every wine he sold. He firmly believed that good wine doesn’t have to be expensive. Someone could walk into the pork or chicken section [at his store], and any wine they grabbed out of that section would pair with that.”

A sandwich generation dilemma

George’s wine shop was successful for over a decade before closing. As George was at home more, with nothing to keep him busy, Allison and her siblings noticed that his behavior was changing. George was repeating the same stories and doing things he would never have done. Allison was able to get her dad a doctor’s appointment where he was diagnosed with cognitive decline which was later changed to dementia.

After his diagnosis in 2017, George moved in with Allison and her daughter. From there Allison became what is known as a sandwich generation caregiver. This is when a person is not only caring for their own young children but also their ailing parent.

“It was probably happening for years before we knew,” said Allison. “I didn’t know anything about [the disease] or what I was getting into. I was trying to navigate as best I could. He declined very quickly he and [lived] with me for a year.”

After the initial year with Allison, George moved to a local care setting. A few years later, in January of 2020, George became ill with pneumonia where he was transferred to a hospital. Despite recovering from pneumonia, his body couldn’t fully recover and he died at the age of 73. Allison said, “He was surrounded by family. We were all there with him and he was surrounded by love.”

Honoring her dad

Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease.

In 2019, prior to George’s death, Allison was introduced to her local Walk in Monterey by a friend. She had never heard of the Alzheimer’s Association® before and decided to check out the event. “When I was standing in the crowd a Walk team, Team Coach T, went [on stage] and told their story,” said Allison. “I found myself standing in the audience in tears. I felt like, these are people who understand what I’m going through. I felt comfortable and surrounded by people who ‘got it.’”

Allison was approached by Philip Geiger, the regional director of the Monterey office, whom she had met before he began working for the Association. Knowing the history of her father, he asked her if she’d like to be a part of the Walk Committee, and she agreed.

Painting the town purple

Committee members play a key role in the success of each event, from getting local companies involved to helping participants engage with our mission to planning the event experience. 2025 marks Allison’s fourth year on the Monterey Walk Committee.

When she first joined the committee, Allison helped find sponsorships and made calls to both past and current participants. She also went around town hanging up flyers. On event day, Allison and the committee help with setting up and tearing down the event.

For the last two years, Allison has been in charge of the paint the town purple campaign. Her job is to go to local businesses and try to get them to make their store fronts purple. They can hang banners or flags and offer special promotions. All in the hopes of getting people excited about the upcoming Walk.

“We have a great committee. The core has been the same people for the four years I’ve been there,” said Allison. “We all show up at zero dark 30 to set up. When you put your efforts into something and see it all come together, what we’ve been working on this past year. The camaraderie, I like that part of it.”

Join the committee

Allison hopes that others in the community will consider joining the committee. Noting that its rewarding and the time commitment is minimal. “Meetings are once a month and they’re pretty quick,” said Allison. “You’re helping people, touching lives you don’t even know you’re touching, it’s not too much, don’t be intimidated by the time it’s a very welcoming organization.

“[Joining the committee] is really rewarding. We find your superpower. What are you best at? What do you feel more comfortable with? We find what you want to do and what you’re comfortable with and what you’re good at and that’s what you do.

“If you’re going to give your time to something let it be something that matters, that your heart is in, and for me that’s what this is. You’ll make great friends, feel supported and change somebody’s life with what you’re doing – so come join us!”

Finding support

Allison hopes that Walk to End Alzheimer’s will bring awareness to a disease she knew nothing about until it came to her home. “If I’d know about services and support earlier it would have been helpful,” said Allison. “I want to be sure others know about that. [I want to] make their journey easier.

“I was sandwich generation, I had my father and my daughter, I was full time working and it’s hard. No one is going to deny that. There were times I was in over my head. There were times I was afraid. I want to find a cure. I don’t want my son or daughter to have to take care of me later in life.

“[If I can get others the] emotional support and things they need, I hope I can do that for them.

Don’t be afraid to reach out for help, go to support groups, talk to other people going through it, just know there are people there for you, there is support. As hard as it was, I’d do it again in heartbeat, especially knowing what I know now.” 

You can join Allison and her team, Cheers to George, at Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Monterey on October 18, 2025. Not in Monterey? Visit alz.org/walk to find a Walk near you.

For more information on education programs and support groups please visit alz.org/crf.