My mother was my rock for nearly four decades, and then Alzheimer’s crashed into our lives with a vengeance. She fought this relentless disease for a decade until it took her from us on December 15, 2012, just two months after she turn 76.
Like most, our story unfolded as I never could have imagined. Today, my passion in life is fighting Alzheimer’s and related dementias, and helping other caregivers navigate this long and winding road. The thought that my mom’s suffering was all for naught is unbearable, so my work in this space helps bring purpose to an otherwise inexplicable situation. I’d love for you to follow along, and feel free to let me know if there are particular topics you’re interested in.
You can also find me on Instagram at Marilyn’s Legacy.
Bio
As a freelance writer and creator of The Long and Winding Road: An Alzheimer’s Journey and Beyond, Ann Napoletan combines her passion for eldercare with her love of the written word. Having lost her mother in 2012, after a decade-long battle with Alzheimer’s, she is a passionate advocate for dementia research and awareness as well as caregiver support. In 2016, Ann founded Marilyn’s Legacy, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit created in memory of her mother. The organization raises money for research and caregiver respite and has procured almost $50,000 since its inception. In addition, she has previously written for Caregivers.com, Alzheimers.net, and has contributed content to many other blogs. She has also been published in the books Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living with Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias and Seasons of Caring: Meditations for Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregivers. In 2013, Ann became a founding moderator of the USAgainstAlzheimer’s Facebook Support Group, and the the next year a non-clergy founding member of ClergyAgainstAlzheimer’s (now known as FaithUnitedAgainstAlzheimer’s). After a career in treasury management spanning 36 years, Ann retired in 2023. Her days are now filled with her favorite pastimes including pottery, writing, gardening, volunteering, and spending time with friends and family.
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