Monthly Archives: July 2017

Purchase your tickets for RivALZ Blondes vs. Brunettes – Alzheimer’s – Optimum Senior Care – Chicago In Home Caregivers

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Purchase your tickets for RivALZ Blondes vs. Brunettes – Alzheimer’s – Optimum Senior Care – Chicago In Home Caregivers – www.OptimumSeniorCare.com

RivALZ is a volunteer-driven event that engages young professionals in a friendly but fierce flag football game. As part of the competition, teams are organized to reflect age-old rivalries that inspire fundraising, awareness and action in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Purchase your tickets today for the RivALZ Blondes vs. Brunettes Chicago game on Saturday, August 19 at Lane Tech Stadium or make a general donation to the teams!

2017 RivALZ Blondes vs. Brunettes – Chicago, IL

Welcome to RivALZ, where two teams of women divided to reflect rivalries, such as East vs. West, Blondes vs. Brunettes, City vs. Suburbs, come together to compete in a flag football game to inspire fundraising, awareness and action in the fight against Alzheimer’s.
Looking to get involved? Or, just want to cheer from the crowd?
We need dedicated players, coaches and spectators.
NEW THIS YEAR – Join our Pep Squad and become an official member of Blondes vs. Brunettes Chicago! Participate in game day coordination, networking opportunities, practice scrimmages and more! This opportunity is open to both men and women.

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.

Purchase Game Day and Event tickets below!
You can also support your favorite player by going to their fundraising page and buying a ticket.

TICKETS – BLONDE SQUAD
TICKETS – BRU CREW
TOGETHER, WE CAN TACKLE ALZHEIMER’S.

Date & Time:

August 19, 2017, 2:00 p.m. kickoff Add to calendar

Location:

Lane Tech Stadium – 2601 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60618 Map it

Donate Now

TWO SIDES, ONE TEAM, ONE GOAL #ENDALZ

The 9th Annual Blondes vs. Brunettes flag football game will take place on Saturday, August 19, 2017.
A suggested $10.00 donation to gain entrance into the game is requested.
If you are new to the game and interested in learning more,
please contact Rebekah Marquez at rmarquez@alz.org or 847-779-6973.
Be sure to check out our Facebook Page for further news and updates.
Players, Coaches and Pep Squad Members –
To help reach your fundraising minimum, vist and save our
2017 Blondes vs. Brunettes Chicago Fundraising Guide for helpful tools and tips! 

TOP FUNDRAISERS

RANKPLAYER NAMEFUNDS RAISED

Melissa Malejan

$1,796

Alexandra Penwell

$1,445

Brianna Segerson Brunello

$1,229

Annie Levitz

$1,125

Angela Agati

$1,005


NEWS & UPDATES

Join the players and coaches of Blondes vs. Brunettes Chicago for an evening of cocktails, appetizers, raffle prizes and an official jersey ceremony on Friday, July 28 at 8:00 pm.

Be sure to visit out our Facebook Page for further news and updates!

Check out our 2016 event photos, here!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

MEET OUR BLONDE TEAM CAPTAIN

Aubyn Scolnick

I joined Blondes vs Brunettes in 2015 as a player. I learned about the game through a friend, and had attended a handful of their fundraising events in past years – I got to know some really great girls through it! Being a red-head, I got to choose which team to play for, so I went with Team Blondes! Since then, I’ve joined the planning committee and have gotten more involved with the marketing & recruitment aspect of our team.

Visit my team page >

MEET OUR BRUNETTE TEAM CAPTAIN

Courtney Wonneberg

I saw someone “like” the Blondes vs. Brunettes Chicago event on Facebook. After following the link, I realized it combined two of my favorite activities – sports and philanthropy, so signing up was a no-brainer! I have been participating as a player since the start of the league in 2007. I became the co-chair for the event in 2011 and have continued in a leadership role on the committee ever since. 

Visit my team page >

Professor speaks the truth about living with Alzheimer’s – Optimum Senior Care – Chicago In Home Caregivers

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Professor speaks the truth about living with Alzheimer’s – Optimum Senior Care – Chicago In Home Caregivers – www.OptimumSeniorCare.com

Charles James Ogletree Jr. is the Jesse Climenko Professor at Harvard Law School and the founder of the school’s Charles Hamilton Houston Institute. Ogletree has fought for decades for justice and civil rights. He’s also living with Alzheimer’s disease, having disclosed his diagnosis in July 2016.\

Charles James Ogletree, Jr. is the Jesse Climenko Professor at Harvard Law School and the founder of the school’s Charles Hamilton Houston Institute. With prolific former students such as Michelle Obama and trials under his belt for Tupac Shakur and Anita Hill, Professor Ogletree has fought for decades for justice and civil rights. He is also living with Alzheimer’s disease, having disclosed his diagnosis in July 2016. We spoke to him about his experiences and his Alzheimer’s story.

“I’ve learned that every person’s Alzheimer’s journey is different – not one is the same,” the professor reflects. “It’s interesting, because in my case, I didn’t have any sense about what was happening to me as the disease came to light. I didn’t notice the symptoms of Alzheimer’s in myself.

I was recently at a conference where I gave a speech about the disease and I was surprised to see how many people – black, white, all nationalities and backgrounds – were there, living with the disease or taking care of someone with the disease. It truly is affecting us all, and we must all join the fight to end Alzheimer’s.”

Professor Ogletree wants to encourage African-Americans, who have a higher risk for the disease, to become educated about Alzheimer’s – and encourage people to get an early diagnosis.

“Early detection and diagnosis is key. The most important thing is to not be afraid to talk about it, because talking about it will encourage other people to open up,” he says.

“In every speech I give – sometimes on a weekly basis – I have been talking openly about my Alzheimer’s diagnosis. I’ve spoken to people with the disease and people who love someone with the disease. In a way, we are all in the same boat. It is amazing how many people are affected; something has to be done to slow this epidemic. We all have to tell our stories to keep the lines of communication open.”

Professor Ogletree has been a mentor to many, including Michelle and Barack Obama, who both attended Harvard. The support of the former President, who released a statement about Ogletree’s diagnosis last year, along with family, friends and colleagues isn’t lost on the professor.

“It is so important for people with a diagnosis to have the support of their loved ones; I think it matters very much. My son Chuck (Charles III) visits Boston to spend time with my wife Pamela and I, and my daughter Rashida will be getting a visit from us soon in her new home. Every Thanksgiving, Pamela and I spend the first part of the holiday at home and then travel to my son; every Christmas, we do the same with our daughter. I have a good friend from Mississippi who has been very supportive, along with his wife. Having their support while I continue to fight this disease means the world to me.”

When it comes to his own journey, exercise and keeping busy with activities are an important part of his daily routine.

“My wife is trying to keep up with me! I like to run – running is definitely very important to me. I enjoy attending Harvard basketball games, even if they didn’t quite make the tournament this year! I also stay involved with the community by attending lunch and dinner social events. I feel that it’s important for me to keep active, mentally and physically.”

Public service and seeking justice have been a huge part of Professor Ogletree’s background, and he has begun a new fight for reason. “I talk about Alzheimer’s disease everywhere I go; I don’t shy away from it. The people I have spoken to are very responsive to my message of continuing to fight – and hope – and I find triumph in that.”

The professor continues to believe education and lifelong learning are vital, both for those living with dementia and those who are not.

After he defended Tupac Shakur in court in the turbulent year of 1993, Tupac’s mother asked Ogletree to try and convince Tupac to apply to Harvard. “It was so interesting to have that experience. Tupac was a talented guy who could have taken a Harvard education very far. In the end, he decided it was not for him. These days, I still work with students who apply to and attend Harvard. Educating every child we can is key, because that key can turn a life in the right direction. I try to inspire new generations and show them how far an education can take them. It fills me with joy when my students embrace their education; their hard work shows in their successes. They – and I – don’t take our time together for granted.”

As for his personal view of his impact on society, Professor Ogletree is very clear about what his legacy will be. “I want to be known as the guy who was always concerned about justice and equality. Nothing more, nothing less.”

There is no doubt he will be, and given how much he is talking openly about his Alzheimer’s diagnosis – and educating others about his own disease experience – he hopes he will be known for that as well. “My next fight has begun. I am ready.”

Learn More:

Become a Savvy Caregiver – Alzheimer’s disease – Optimum Senior Care – Chicago In Home Caregivers

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Become a Savvy Caregiver – Alzheimer’s disease – Optimum Senior Care – Chicago In Home Caregivers – www.OptimumSeniorcare.com

Are you a caregiver for a family member who has Alzheimer’s disease or another related dementia? Are you looking for ways to increase your knowledge and confidence in this role? Join us for Savvy Caregiver. The Savvy Caregiver educational program is for family caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s who currently live at home and is designed to equip these individuals for the caregiving role. Register today!

The Savvy Caregiver

Are you a caregiver for a family member who has Alzheimer’s disease or another, related dementia? Does that person live at home? Are you looking for ways to increase your knowledge and confidence in this role?
What is the Savvy Caregiver?
This program is designed to equip family members and others for the caregiving role. Developed by the University of Minnesota, the classes will help you gain:
• A better understanding of the disease
• The skills to assess the abilities of the person with dementia
• The confidence to set and alter caregiving goals
• Strategies to manage the day-to-day care of the person with dementia, including personal care
• The skills to take better care of yourself
• Tips on how to build a positive partnership with healthcare professionals
Class information
Savvy Caregiver is designed for family caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s who continue to live at home (not in a residential care setting). Classes meet for six consecutive weeks, for two hours each.

Cost
Classes are offered free of charge through an Alzheimer’s Disease Supportive Service Program (ADSSP) grant from the Administration for Community Living.

Upcoming classes (click to view details)

Monday, July 10 – August 14, 2017 | Rochelle

Wednesday, August 9 – August 30, 2017 | Bourbonnais

Tuesday, August 15 – September 19, 2017 | Peoria

Monday, October 2 – October 23, 2017 | West Dundee

AAIC 2017: Breaking news in the fight against Alzheimer’s – Optimum Senior Care – Chicago In Home Caregivers

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AAIC 2017: Breaking news in the fight against Alzheimer’s – Optimum Senior Care – Chicago In Home Caregivers – www.OptimumSeniorCare.com

As you’re reading this, the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® 2017 (AAIC®) in London is buzzing with activity. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the brightest minds in the dementia research community have gathered to collaborate, share theories and unveil their newest findings. I wish you could feel the energy on the conference floor — there is so much excitement and optimism in the air.
Please consider making your first gift today. The support of generous friends like you helps make this event possible.
Breakthroughs are urgently needed — your first gift today will help to continue advancing research while providing care and support services every day to those affected by Alzheimer’s.
Here is a small sampling of news coming in from this year’s conference:

  • In several new studies, sleep disordered breathing and sleep apnea were significantly associated with accumulation of amyloid and tau in the brain – two important markers for Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Twenty U.S. states have been identified as neurology “deserts,” areas with a chronic shortage of neurologists and a rapid rise in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia cases.
  • One newly-reported study found that older people with hearing loss were roughly three times more likely to have mild cognitive impairment than those with normal hearing.
  • Results from four large population-based studies support a strong connection between a healthy diet and better cognition as people age.

There are only two days left of this year’s AAIC, and you won’t want to miss a thing. To stay on top of what’s happening on the conference floor, be sure to read the latest news and event updates.
To end Alzheimer’s disease, the world is counting on the thought leaders at AAIC. And they are counting on you. Thank you for giving what you can today.
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P.S. Your donation will go toward urgently needed services like care and support programs, in addition to ongoing research. Thank you again for helping us to help so many.

Your donation will strengthen our efforts to advance Alzheimer’s care, support and research. From face-to-face support to online education programs and promising global research initiatives, your gift makes a difference in the lives of all those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias in your community and across the world. Thank you for your continued support.

Walk with us in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease – Optimum Senior Care – Chicago In Home Caregivers

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Walk with us in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease – Optimum Senior Care – Chicago In Home Caregivers – www.OptimumSeniorCare.com

Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds 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. Find a Walk near you and sign up today.