Alzheimer's at 58 in Fort Pierre

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                            
Contact:
Thomas Elness
Director of Public Policy
Alzheimer’s Association South Dakota
605.789.4997 | tkelness@alz.org
 
Carmen Magee of Fort Pierre is heading to Washington, D.C. in April, and hopes a video of her husband Fred’s journey with Alzheimer’s helps make an impact. Fred was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2019 when he was just 58 years old. As one of six advocates with the Alzheimer’s Association’s South Dakota chapter, Carmen will share her family’s story with Senators John Thune, Mike Rounds, and Representative Dusty Johnson.

Because of his current condition, Fred cannot travel to Washington in April. Wanting to bring Fred’s story with her to Capitol Hill, Carmen turned to her son and professional filmmaker, Riley Thelen, to produce a short film capturing their family’s experience with Alzheimer’s.

The film is titled, “I Thought I Knew What Alzheimer’s Looked Like: Fred & Carmen,” and in just under six minutes spotlights the Magees' journey from diagnosis to becoming advocates with the Alzheimer’s Association. The film features visuals of what it looks like for Fred to live with younger-onset Alzheimer’s, including cue cards Carmen makes daily to remind Fred to take his medications and eat and drink coffee. It’s a powerful representation of life with Alzheimer’s.

“As an advocate, what we’re all wanting is a cure,” Carmen says in the film. “We have to continue to gain ground, as they are every day.” State Representatives Will Mortenson and Mike Weisgram share in the film how Fred and Carmen have impacted their work as lawmakers in the South Dakota State Capitol just across the river from Fred and Carmen’s home in Fort Pierre.

The Alzheimer's Impact Movement (AIM) Advocacy Forum, held April 7-9, 2024, is the nation's premier Alzheimer's disease advocacy event. Volunteer advocates from across the United States come together to make the case to federal policymakers to advance policies to improve the lives of all individuals affected by Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. Learn more at alz.org/forum.

South Dakota Alzheimer’s advocates will ask Senator John Thune, Senator Mike Rounds, and Representative Dusty Johnson to support:

• The bipartisan BOLD Reauthorization Act (S. 3775 / H.R. 7218) will continue strengthening the Alzheimer’s and other dementia public health infrastructure in communities, including in South Dakota which is now a BOLD grant recipient.
• The bipartisan NAPA Reauthorization Act (S. 133 / H.R. 619) and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act (S. 134 / H.R. 620) build on progress made over the last decade by continuing to promote rapid research and improve the delivery of clinical care and services for people living with Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.
• Continued investment in Alzheimer’s and dementia research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act. Sustained federal investment in research will accelerate the global progress of new treatments, preventions, and ultimately, a cure.

 

Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.™ For more information, visit www.alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.