Presidential Candidates on Alzheimer’s

30 Thursday Jul 2015

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Advocacy and Awareness, Caregivers, Face of Alzheimer's, Washington

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alzheimers, alzheimers caregivers, alzheimers funding, alzheimers research, brenda bouchard, candidates on alzheimers, dementia, hillary clinton, honoring ken, john kasich, rick santorum

New Hampshire resident, Brenda Bouchard, has been caring for her husband, who is living with younger onset Alzheimer’s, for 10 years. She also cares for her 89-year-old mother who has Alzheimer’s and lives with her.

With more on her plate than most of us can begin to imagine, Bouchard has set out to bring Alzheimer’s to the national stage. She recently attended three New Hampshire town hall meetings and posed a critical question to presidential candidates Santorum, Clinton, and Kasich. You can see their responses in the video clips below.

What will you do to make sure this devastating disease gets the attention it deserves?

This courageous, passionate caregiver is just getting started. Brenda explains, “What I am working to do is to put these questions before as many candidates as I can to help keep the national conversation going around Alzheimer’s. It’s non-partisan for me in terms Alzheimer’s.

“I’m singularly focused on getting the candidates to talk about Alzheimer’s so we can change the climate and culture around this disease and hopefully get enough people talking about it so we can demand more funding for research to find a cure!!! I plan to keep truckin’!!!”

Thank you for all you’re doing to shine the national spotlight on Alzheimer’s, Brenda!

We can help Brenda and the movement to #ENDALZ by sharing these videos with others to get the country talking. The squeaky wheel gets the grease and I’ve never met a group of people who are more passionate and committed than Alzheimer’s caregivers and advocates!

Rest in Peace, Richard Taylor

26 Sunday Jul 2015

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Advocacy and Awareness, Face of Alzheimer's, Inspiration

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alzheimers, dementia, dementia mentors, living with dementia, richard taylor

Rest in Peace, Dr. Richard Taylor.
Your legacy and your impact on the world will live forever.

“I’m still Richard. I’m still here. I still need your friendship, I still need your love, I still need your attention, I still need you to listen to my bad jokes, and I still need to talk with you.”

Richard Taylor: I’m Still Richard from Dementia Mentors on Vimeo.

Two Alzheimer’s Caregivers: Straight from the Heart

25 Saturday Jul 2015

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Advocacy and Awareness, Blogging, Caregivers, Events, Face of Alzheimer's, Family, Inspiration, Music and Art, Ruminations, Smiles, Support system

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alzheimers, alzheimers advocate, alzheimers caregivers, alzheimers music, alzheimers music festival, dementia

Image Source: morguefile

I’ve seen a couple of posts this week that have really touched my heart. Allan Vann and Vince Zangaro are on very similar, yet different paths. One of the things they have in common is their willingness to share their stories to raise awareness and bring hope and comfort to other caregivers.

Allan Vann

Allan Vann is a talented blogger who has published hundreds of insightful, informative articles on his blog. He also recently began writing a column for the Huffington Post and was interviewed by CBS news last week.

Allan’s wife, Clare, was formally diagnosed with younger onset Alzheimer’s at age 63, but had been experiencing signs for several years before that. Allan cared his wife at home before making the difficult decision to place her in a care facility. However, he learned that doing so allowed him to be her husband again, rather than her 24×7 caregiver, which was a true gift to both of them.

Image Source: CBS News

The CBS interview captures the pain of slowly losing a loved one to Alzheimer’s with a raw, emotional accuracy.

Although it was my mother rather than spouse that I lost to this horrid disease, so much of what Allan says rings true to me. The arguments were the most difficult – early on, we fought about everything, and that was so uncharacteristic of our relationship. So sad to think about it…

Vince Zangaro

Vince Zangaro was just 29 when his father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s ten years ago at age 62. He & his wife, Amy, are full-time caregivers and by sharing their journey, they help others to stay afloat.

Vince had a wonderful piece published on The Caregiver’s Voice this past week. One of the things that makes it unique is that Vince wrote it from his father’s perspective.

When I open my eyes in the morning, I feel scared. Where am I? Where have I been? Do I know this place? I look to the right, and the people there are sleeping soundly. I can’t remember who they are, but I know they love me and I love them; I feel safe.

Image Source: Facebook

Read the full piece here.

In some ways, Vince’s posts and his videos make me miss my mom even more, but mostly they remind me of all the happy times we shared even as she fell further into the clutches of Alzheimer’s. His words also illustrate how having a loved one with Alzheimer’s changes our lives, and how that often results in us becoming better human beings.

One of his recent Facebook posts provided a simple, yet invaluable tip, in such a heartwarming way.

“I have learned when giving dad a hug to have it last a minute or longer. After the 60 second mark you will start to see him grasp the moment. It doesn’t always take medicine to help someone you love.”

And then there’s this video that makes me smile and cry at the same time… if it was possible to make a 3-minute video that defines love in its truest form, this is it.

Vince is also founder of the Alzheimer’s Music Fest which you can read more about on Facebook or at the event website. If you’re in the Duluth, GA, area, check it out!