Alzheimer’s Caregiving and a Winter Storm?

Last week this area was hit by the worst winter storm in 10 years, leaving power and other services out for days.

It was also during the “Triumphing Over the Isolation of Alzheimer’s Telesummit: Simple Solutions for Family and Professional Caregivers.” With the loss of power, there was a sudden quiet and disconnection from distractions. And there was time to reflect…

How Caregiving With Purpose started focusing on Alzheimer’s and other dementias, especially just before “CNN Presents: A Larry King Special—Unthinkable: the Alzheimer’s Epidemic” in 2011. In writing about it in the blog post, “What Do Famous People Know About Alzheimer’s Symptoms?” I learned the extent of the global epidemic — or pandemic.

By 2011 Alzheimer’s was identified as the 6^th leading cause of death in the United States. And with an aging population, the numbers are just expected to grow, affecting both the famous and non-famous.

Did you know the following celebrities’ families mentioned in the Larry King Special have been touched by Alzheimer’s and other dementias?

Former First Lady Laura Bush…
Maria Shriver…
Angie Dickinson…
Leeza Gibbons…
And more…

With more blog posts about Alzheimer’s and other dementias, Caregiving With Purpose was recognized in the Healthline.com Top 25 Alzheimer’s Blogs of 2012 and 2013.

It became clear that the mission of Caregiving With Purpose included increasing awareness about Alzheimer’s and other dementias, while helping care providers with their isolation and other challenges. And so, the “Triumphing Over the Isolation of Alzheimer’s Telesummit: Simple Solutions for Family and Professional Caregivers” was born.

It included an amazing group of speakers, all of whom are making strides to help caregivers and raise awareness. It truly fulfilled its goal of bringing simple solutions to family and professional caregivers.

The speakers included global leaders in the Alzheimer’s movement. You may recognize some of them from their work; several are bringing dementia awareness to the forefront as Purple Angel Ambassadors.

The Alzheimer’s Telesummit speakers included…

Some speakers have Alzheimer’s, several have started pilot programs for Alzheimer’s, and several are using social media including Face book and blogs to get out their messages.

Founding this telesummit is an honor, bringing these amazing people together. While the live sessions are over, you can still get the replays and hear all the talks by Joining the Alzheimer’s Telesummit now.

From my heart to yours… Laugh Well, Love Well and Live Well!