Watch “Unforgettable: Living with Alzheimer’s” online
In support of those battling Alzheimer’s disease, WGN aired a special titled “Unforgettable: Living With Alzheimer’s.” The hour-long special takes a look at the growing elder population and continuing growth of Alzheimer’s disease in people’s lives. The special, which is hosted by WGN’s Dina Bair and Dean Richard, features discussions with doctors, patients, caregivers and Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter staff.
Woman living with memory loss celebrates the season by being true to herself
Alzheimer’s Association 2016 National Early-Stage Advisor Lonni Schicker was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment in 2014. The former teacher says that people living with dementia shouldn’t force themselves to be excited or joyous just because it’s the holiday season. “Celebrate the season by being you and giving what you can,” she writes. “Savor the moment.”
I was a college professor and nurse with my doctorate in education when I started having memory problems that were concerning me. Students had complained of inconsistent homework assignments, and my son Dan noticed that I was repeating myself in our phone conversations. Then one day while giving a speech in Washington D.C. about medical ethics, I totally blanked about where I was and why I was there – in the middle of my speech. That was a major turning point.
This was in 2014, and I was living in North Dakota. My physician acknowledged that she had noticed a change in me as well, and I was referred for neuropsychological testing. After completing those tests and a follow-up evaluation at Washington University in St. Louis, my diagnosis was confirmed as mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Before I fully adjusted to living with this disease, the news was devastating to me. I couldn’t teach any longer; teaching completely depends on your ability to think on your feet and plan – things I was no longer able to do consistently. It was also devastating for my family, my always being so bright and articulate and then suddenly having speech pattern issues. The uncertainty of where “it goes from here” was overwhelming for them, but we have all adjusted and are doing very well.
My sister Mary and my son Dan and I are a team. We have made some heavy decisions – where I was going to live (I moved in with Dan), how we were going to gauge what I could and couldn’t do, what was safe, what wasn’t. We put plans of action into place. Sometimes it’s the little things, like how Dan calls me before he leaves work so I can start dinner then and not have the stove on all day.
Lonni’s son Daniel.
I didn’t realize until I received this diagnosis that this support was always there. Not many people have a single 30-year-old son who would take them in and disrupt their life for the sake of their mother, but Dan does it without any regret or resentment. I didn’t realize how steadfast he and my sister were. They both instantly rallied and started taking care of everything I needed. I am in awe of them, and eternally grateful. I can’t imagine my life or going through this without them.
I have always done most or all of the cooking on Thanksgiving, but this year everyone brought something and I cooked the turkey and dressing. I knew Christmas would be a challenge, so my sister will be hosting Christmas this year. I have to change things around a bit to accommodate the fact that I’m not functioning at the same level I was previously. It doesn’t decrease the amount of joy and love we have at Christmas – in fact, we appreciate it more. My sister’s husband is also living with dementia, so we all take advantage of the time we do have together.
This Christmas, we will open half of the gifts on Christmas Eve and half on Christmas morning. We used to celebrate Christmas mornings with our immediate family but now we try to do more things together as an extended family. We are aware that we have more limited time and a need to be together. And actually, this arrangement has made it more fun!
I miss teaching a lot; I worked really hard to get the point where I could teach full-time. It was my goal for so long and I only got to do it for three years. Having said that, I’m a person who believes you just have to adjust your sails and go where the wind is taking you, even if it’s a place you weren’t planning on traveling.
And sometimes we do get to choose where we travel. This Christmas day, after we go to my sister’s home, my son and I are going to drive the 14 hours to North Dakota to see friends I previously taught with who I haven’t seen in two years. It’s people like them, my family and the friends who have stuck by my side who remind me that I am really lucky to have the time that I have. The life I am living now is not the life I planned, but I am living it.
To everyone living with dementia: do not put pressure on yourself to be what you aren’t anymore. Don’t force yourself to be excited or joyous just because it is the holiday season. You will feel better if you relax and be yourself and do what you can do. Don’t worry about what you can’t do anymore. Don’t try to live up to other people’s expectations. If you’re the person who has always cooked all of the food for the holiday gathering, it’s okay to be the person who does just some of it now. It is much more enjoyable than trying to be what you can’t be. Celebrate the season by being you, and giving what you can. Savor the moment.
About the Author: As an Alzheimer’s Association 2016 National Early-Stage Advisor, Lonni Schicker would like to help reduce the stigma surrounding a dementia diagnosis and raise awareness for the value of an early diagnosis. She enjoys cooking and crafting and lives in St. Louis with her son Dan.
Our deadline to raise $500,000 is tomorrow — can we count on you to help us reach our goal and provide twice as much help and hope to people fighting Alzheimer’s disease?
Thanks to long-time supporter Mary B. Smith, every donation we receive by December 20 — up to a total of $500,000 — can go twice as far to help fund care and support services, as well as exciting research with the potential to discover methods of treatment, prevention and, ultimately, a cure. Mary makes this gift in memory of her husband, Rodney, to help further Alzheimer’s prevention research.
When you give before midnight tomorrow, your tax-deductible gift of $35 can become $70, your $60 can become $120 or your $120 can become $240. Along with offering care and support for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease, your gift can help our efforts to advance critical research for methods of treatment, prevention and, ultimately, a cure.
Please help us reach our $500,000 goal before it’s too late. With your support today, we can get one step closer to achieving our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s disease.
Time is running out to have your gift matched. – Alzheimer’s Association
There’s still time while your gift can go TWICE as far in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. I know you care deeply about helping the more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and their more than 15 million caregivers — that’s why I’m counting on you to help us take advantage of this incredible opportunity today.
Alzheimer’s Association supporter Mary B. Smith has generously offered to donate $500,000 to the Association if we can raise that same amount by December 20. Mary’s mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s more than 10 years ago, and Mary has played an active role in helping us achieve our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s disease ever since.
For a limited time, your tax-deductible gift of $35 can become $70, your $60 can become $120 or your $120 can become $240.
Mary makes this gift in memory of her husband, Rodney, to help further Alzheimer’s prevention research. I hope you’ll join her today with a donation that can further our mission to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. We can’t reach our $500,000 goal without you — so please don’t wait to help make twice the difference.
Find us online – Discover the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter
Discover the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter on the internet and on social media. Be sure to Like and Follow us to get the latest information on research, awareness, advocacy, fundraising, care and support.
Discover the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter on the internet and on social media. Be sure to Like and Follow us to get the latest information on research, awareness, advocacy, fundraising, care and support.
For caregivers of those with memory loss, we offer easy, immediate access to tips and tricks on the Caregiver Buddy App. You can download the FREE Caregiver Buddy app for your iPhone or Android from Amazon, Google play or the Apple App Store.