Why I walk… Carla’s story

Many of us are walking for our own reasons. It could be because we lost someone to this disease, currently caring for someone with the disease, or just walking to support the cause. Whatever the reason may be, I know we are all walking to help. My personal reason is my Noni and many members of my family.

Many of us are walking for our own reasons. It could be because we lost someone to this disease, currently caring for someone with the disease, or just walking to support the cause. Whatever the reason may be, I know we are all walking to help. My personal reason is my Noni and many members of my family.
I am walking for my grandmother Rose Gigiliette Auten, as well as several members of my family. We are called the Garden of Roses after my grandmother. Many of us are walking for our own reasons. It could be because we lost someone to this disease, currently caring for someone with the disease, or just walking to support the cause. Whatever the reason may be, I know we are all walking to help.
My personal reason is my Noni and many members of my family. My Noni is my Italian grandmother and her name is Rose. Her parents came to the U.S. from Italy to allow their children to have all the opportunities readily available to them in the United States. My grandmother had 7 sisters and 4 brothers. Her mother had Dementia. Several cousins, some of her sisters and one of her brothers also have suffered through this terrible illness. Currently my Noni, her brother Joe, and her sister Josie are all under treatment and care for Alzheimer’s. Rose was a vibrant and beautiful woman that was sharp as a tack. She was considered one of the “rocks” of her family. To see her deteriorate has been heart breaking. I cannot express how much it saddens me to know others suffer through this too. Many of her memories have been passed on to my mother, uncle, me, and many others. We all do our best to keep them alive and never forget them for her.
I hope to achieve more awareness for the cause within my personal circle and I am finding out more of my friends have known someone with the disease. One of my close friends and teammate, finally revealed to me that his Mom has the beginning stages of Dementia, something I did not know until this walk. I have another teammate whose mother died from the deterioration that Alzheimer’s caused her body. More people should get involved because it affects more people than you realize. I believe everyone knows at least one person who has had Dementia and/or Alzheimer’s and we all could get it in some way shape or form when we get older. It is something everyone should be aware of and can affect us all.

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Blood pressure, diabetes and smoking may be Alzheimer’s disease risk factors

Age and genetics contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease, but factors which can be modified, such as lifestyle, may also be important. The Alzheimer’s Association — the world’s largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s research — continues to fund studies exploring the influence of exercise, diet and social and mental stimulation, and other factors in the development of Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

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Our Caregiver Center can guide you through caregiving challenges

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia caregivers face special challenges. But you’re not alone; whether you need information about early-stage, middle-stage or late-stage caregiving, our Caregiver Center provides help and resources.

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Free Comfort Care Guide – The Alzheimer’s Association-Greater Illinois Chapter

The Alzheimer’s Association-Greater Illinois Chapter is pleased to offer this free online resource, Encouraging Comfort Care: A Guide for Families of People with Dementia Living in Care Facilities. This 21-page booklet provides useful information to families and long-term care facilities personnel about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, particularly care issues related to the late and final stages.

The Alzheimer’s Association-Greater Illinois Chapter is pleased offer this free online resource, Encouraging Comfort Care: A Guide for Families of People with Dementia Living in Care Facilities. This 21-page booklet provides useful information to families and long-term care facilities personnel about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, particularly care issues related to the late and final stages.

For families, this guide will enable them to make informed choices about a variety of medical decisions they may face on behalf of loved ones with dementia living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other types of care facilities. It will also equip families to ask good questions aimed at obtaining the best care for their loved ones, including a handy checklist of comfort care measures to be discussed with staff members of care facilities.

For staff members of long-term care facilities, the guide will serve as an important tool for those who wish to educate families and assist them in care planning. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to disseminate this booklet in electronic and print formats.

Encouraging Comfort Care was made possible through a generous grant from the Retirement Research Foundation to the Alzheimer’s Association-Greater Illinois Chapter.

View and download the free guide by clicking below:
Please note: the comfort care guide may take up to several minutes to download due to the large file size.

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Siblings hope to swim the English Channel to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s

Danielle, Devin and Dustin Whal hope to become the first trio of siblingsto swim the English Channel. (Originally scheduled for July 22, their attempt has been postponed due to weather.) They’re not doing it solely to achieve a record — the Whals want to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s among young people as well as funds to help fight the disease that has impacted their family.

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