Growing Our Voices: Let’s Talk About Dementia

1994: President Ronald Reagan penned his now famous letter to the American public announcing that he was in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The same year, m y dad , at 81, had just been diagnosed with “memory problems”; my son Mike was a sophomore in high school; and I was three years into a new marriage and at the top of my Human Resources career. Three years later my husband Richard, at 57, was diagnosed with Mild C ognitive I mpairment . Dad died in 2001 from what I later learned was vascular dementia and Richard in 2012

Ending the Stigma

This past year my husband, Dr. Don Wendorf, and I have had the privilege of serving as Senior Editors for ClergyAgainstAlzheimer’s upcoming book, Dementia-friendly Worship: A Multifaith Handbook for Chaplains, Clergy and Faith Communities. It has afforded us many blessings, not the least of which has been to develop friendships with some amazing individuals, one of whom is Rev. Dr. Cynthia Huling Hummel, a Presbyterian (USA) pastor who is living with Alzheimer’s. Not surprisingly, our friendship and shared advocacy has deepened with the sharing of our thoughts, feelings and activities. And, so, it came as no surprise to open our

The Alzheimer's Stamp

The release of the Alzheimer's stamp represents eighteen years of continuous effort on the part of friend and fellow advocate Kathy Siggins, and nine years of continuous effort on my part. If you think...

It's Time for an Alzheimer's Stamp

I am one of countless Americans who have lost loved ones to Alzheimer’s - first my dad in 2001 and then my husband in 2012. As their primary caregiver for 18 years, I understand all too well the emotional, physical and financial toll Alzheimer’s takes on our loved ones and our families, and the urgent need for a cure. Every 67 seconds another American is diagnosed with Alzheimer's. First described over 100 years ago, it is now recognized as our nation's third leading cause of death and the only illness among the top ten for which there is no prevention