Written by Monica Vest Wheeler When I wrote a book on coping with the emotional and everyday challenges of Alzheimer’s, dementia and memory loss in 2008, I had no idea how much I’d rely on my own words two years later. In spring 2009, I noticed something peculiar about my father-in-law. A couple of family members agreed, but what was it. Hmm, I wondered if it could be dementia of some kind…. Worry about his behavior escalated a year later. My husband Roger, oldest of five, and I offered to move him from Florida to Peoria at age 83 where we could find assistance, as we were the ones with the most flexibility. We didn’t have a diagnosis yet, but he had slipped considerably in a year. By this time, I had become involved in assisting Alzheimer’s Association support group meetings as a co-facilitator and engaged with many families. I knew we needed a thorough examination by a doctor familiar with dementia. Families must venture down that terrifying road first, because the longer you wait, the harder it gets….Denial will dig its vicious claws into everyone and disrupt families like nothing they’ve ever seen. Within two weeks, we got that diagnosis: mid-stage Alzheimer’s. I stopped at the Alzheimer’s Association office in Peoria to fill out paperwork for a Safe Return bracelet. The staff member who I worked with saw my tears and gave me an extra big hug that day, commending me for doing the right thing by protecting my dad-in-law with that bracelet. Over time, people would say, “What are you going to do? You wrote THE book.” Yes, I had collected the experiences of families coping with the disease, and it was all raw, real and relevant. As my own caregiving journey commenced, I found that when I took my own advice generously served in my writing, it helped tremendously. But my heart often got in the way. Love can set up emotional roadblocks that seem impossible to conquer, especially as his abilities seemed to slip daily and his behavior became more erratic as we tried two different assisted living facilities. We attempted medicines and different dosages to even out his moods, but the day his angry fist came within inches of my face, I knew drastic measures had to be put into place immediately. This was a little over two months of moving him to Peoria. Roger and I searched for Alzheimer’s care facilities , and one of my sisters-in-law was able to visit and help as she was also shocked by the change in her dad. I put him on waiting lists at five units, with no idea when an opening would give us the relief we needed. My husband and I endured the most stressful stretch of our 31-year marriage as we waited and made daily visits to pacify his dad and try to address this obsession he had developed about money and accusing us of stealing from him. We could not lock him in his room or inside the building, and he would occasionally toss lit cigarette butts into bushes, once leave the microwave running for 40 minutes, and often scare fellow residents with warnings of God’s wrath to be leveled against the evil people of Illinois. Other than that, he was a nice, lovable guy. Hindsight tells me maybe we should have brought him into our home while waiting for that magic opening. We were so emotionally exhausted by the stress that we honestly didn’t think of that option. The assisted living staff were beyond patient and supportive, understanding our predicament…but all of us knowing we had to place him in a locked facility for his and everyone else’s safety. We no longer had a choice. The August day I drove him to the Alzheimer’s unit with an opening nearly an hour and a half away from Peoria…one of the hardest moments of my life, tricking him into checking out this nice place with me…moving his stuff in while a staff member kept him occupied…and walking away as he banged on the door to let him out. It still hurts my heart. But we could and had to sleep that night…for our own health and sanity. I had already told many caregivers, “I don’t want to read on your tombstone what a great caregiver you were.” Our rollercoaster ride was not over as we had to deal with more medications to calm him, diffuse his anger, survive two stints in a mental health ward…to keep him vital but not doped up. It took a while but he found calm and an outlet by endlessly “walking the rails” down the hallways. That’s where I’d find him when I visited. Sometimes he’d nicely ask me to get him out, but with simple redirection, there were no more outbursts. He was home now, where the staff came to love him, his smile, gentle nature and trail of candy wrappers. These folks became part of my family, as we united to keep him safe and comfortable…until he passed away peacefully May 12, 2011. I lived at the Alzheimer’s unit at his bedside the last 11 days of his life. We designated the Alzheimer’s Association for memorial contributions because I could not have survived those difficult early days without the skilled and kind souls I found there…a classroom of life I continue to attend because they recognize that everybody and every body is different. Families share the same emotions of fear and grief, but their experiences are unique. Here’s the rest of our unique story: We made the difficult decision to donate his brain for Alzheimer’s research in hopes of helping other families avoid our heartache. To our surprise, he had no sign of Alzheimer’s, but vascular dementia , likely brought on by the brain injury he had suffered 30 years earlier after a fall. It all made more sense…and eased our worries about Alzheimer’s in the family. The most valuable lesson? No matter how strong you think you are emotionally and physically, you can’t survive this alone. Thank goodness I learned that before my own journey began.

The Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter is thrilled to welcome seven new members of our Board of Directors for fiscal year 2023. Our new board members commit their talents, passion, time and connections to strengthen the fight against Alzheimer’s. We thank them for their commitment to our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia, and we look forward to accomplishing incredible things together in the year ahead. Scott Burnsmier – Operations Manager, University of Illinois Hillary DeGroff – Associate Principal, Perkins Eastman Jeremy Kruidenier – Executive Director and General Counsel, Wine and Spirits Distributors of Illinois Osvaldo Montelongo – CEO, ConnectCareHero Carol Shaw Burns, Ph.D. – Corporate Director of Resident Service, Vi Living James Sherwood – SVP and Counsel, McGuireWoods Consulting and LLP Ajay Sood, MD, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, Rush University Medical Center Scott Burnsmier Hillary DeGroff Jeremy Kruidenier Osvaldo Montelongo Carol Shaw Burns, Ph.D. James Sherwood Ajay Sood, MD, Ph.D.

Washington state athlete Zoe Yoshinari has a goal of running all six Abbott World Marathon Majors – that’s over 157 miles! She will be halfway to accomplishing her dream when she crosses the finish line at the 2022 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Zoe is running with team ALZ Stars , the Alzheimer’s Association’s charity team, on Sunday, October 9. Having watched her grandmother’s journey with dementia , Zoe is making her miles matter for a cause that is close to her heart. Zoe joined ALZ Stars in honor of her grandmother, who lived with Multi-infarct dementia. “My grandmother, Barbara Walton, was a wonderful woman. Mother of four, grandmother of five, devoted wife,” shares Zoe. Barbara ran a hotel in the 60s and 70s while balancing family responsibilities. It brought “a multitude of stresses,” according to Zoe. She believes her grandmother’s job stress may have impacted her dementia. “I never quite understood it at such an early age. Until I was living in New York in my late twenties,” confides Zoe. She experienced the stress and hustle of city life for the first time. The need to care for her own mental health was incredibly important, especially after seeing the toll that stress took on her grandmother. Zoe found solace in long distance running.  “ Running was my daily therapy . It made sense that my mental health, just like my physical health , needed to be taken care of as well as maintained.”  Her personal love of running grew into a desire to raise awareness around mental health . She found that caring for her mental health was just as important as her physical health, and she wanted to share the discovery with others. “Completing my first marathon in New York in 2007 seemed like a natural evolution,” she shares. But it didn’t just “mark a check” on her bucket list. Instead, it “ignited a passion to complete the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Six Races. Six Stars. One Dream. ” “Now 11 years on, at the age of nearly 43, I have the courage to continue working toward that dream,” says Zoe. Since completing the London Marathon in 2011, she is “happily married, a mother to two wonderful children and proud to have established a woman owned business. “Fear had stalled my momentum but now I’ve found the courage to follow my heart, stand up for my dream and I’m ready to conquer another marathon.” Zoe is excited to use her next marathon to raise funds and awareness for a disease that impacted her family. She says that running on team ALZ Stars gives her next race extra purpose and meaning.  ALZ Stars athletes sign-on to raise funds and awareness for the Alzheimer’s Association and receive a limited entry to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The 2022 team has 298 athletes, and they already raised over $200,000! Zoe has surpassed her personal fundraising goal – but she isn’t stopping. At the beginning of the summer, Zoe and a group of running buddies held a fundraiser in San Diego with phenomenal results. They ran 4 miles every 4 hours in 24 hours, and raised support for an important cause. Zoe continues to prepare for 26.2 miles in Chicago this fall. She is getting closer to accomplishing her goal of completing all six Abbott World Marathon Majors, all the while moving us towards a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. Donate to Zoe’s fundraising page as she prepares for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and learn more about team ALZ Stars here .

Photo courtesy of Sam Karow The Chicago skyline was illuminated purple to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month (June) and The Longest Day. From Monday, June 20 to Friday, June 26, buildings were encouraged to light the signature color of the Alzheimer’s Association and display the slogan “ENDALZ.” The initiative was spearheaded by our Illinois Chapter Concern and Awareness committee in partnership with the Building Owners and Manager Association of Chicago (BOMA). Their Illuminate Chicago Lighting Program was created almost ten years ago to build support for charitable causes. We are grateful for their support as we raise funds and awareness to put an end to Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. This year’s participating buildings included the Wrigley Building, Prudential Building and Plaza, United Center, Brittanica Building, Soldier Field, Blue Cross Blue Shield, John Hancock, Willis Tower and Elgin’s 2500 Westfield building. All member buildings had the opportunity to participate and show their support for the fight to end Alzheimer’s. Photo courtesy of Sam Karow Photo courtesy of Sam Karow Photo courtesy of Sam Karow Photo courtesy of Alison McEwen Photo courtesy of Sam Karow To learn more about The Longest Day, visit alz.org/TLD To learn more about Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, visit alz.org/ABAM Photo courtesy of Sam Karow

Liz Miro isn’t sitting down for Alzheimer’s – she walks, runs and advocates for an end to the disease. Her maternal grandfather is currently living with dementia , and her father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2014. She teams up with the Alzheimer’s Association in multiple capacities to fight for a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. Liz is a longtime fundraiser with Walk to End Alzheimer’s , participating in the Chicago and North Shore events. She first participated in 2016, two years after her father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The 2022 Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Chicago takes place at Soldier Field on Saturday, October 8. Events are hosted in communities across the state from September to October. “It’s a great fundraiser, but also a way to bond with people who have similar experiences ,” Liz shares. She even gets her four-legged friend involved: for the past six Walks, Liz has brought her dog to Walk alongside her. Her involvement doesn’t stop on Walk day. Liz ran the 2019 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on the Alzheimer’s Association charity team, ALZ Stars , and raised close to $2,000. Her fundraising directly supported families facing Alzheimer’s disease and research efforts in Illinois and beyond. Liz has also worked with our Public Policy team on various advocacy initiatives. She traveled to Springfield with other volunteer advocates for Illinois Day of Action, where she urged state legislators to support policy priorities that make Illinois a more dementia capable state. All of these activities are important to Liz because of her personal experience with Alzheimer’s disease. She shares the reality: “There is NO CURE and really, no effective treatment. “It’s so heartbreaking because you lose your loved one twice. Grieving someone who is alive is a very unique experience that most people can’t comprehend.” Join Liz in fighting for care, support, research, and ultimately: a cure for Alzheimer’s and dementia. Register for your local Walk , run 26.2 miles to #ENDALZ on team ALZ Stars , or learn more about our advocacy work .

The Alzheimer’s Association has awarded a 2022 Alzheimer’s Association Research Grant to Dr. Xiaoran Liu. This grant will enable Dr. Liu to continue her innovative research into how people’s diets may affect their cognitive function as they age and how diet may ultimately play a role in people’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. When asked how she felt about receiving this grant, Dr. Liu stated, “I am thrilled. I am delighted to learn that primary prevention through modifiable factors, including diet, is a research priority.” The grant will enable her to continue her research toward a potential preventive treatment for this disease that currently has no cure and few effective treatments. “This is an amazing opportunity to leverage my previous research experience and tackle a devastating disease,” she says. Dr. Liu is a researcher and assistant professor at Rush University Medical Center in the Department of Internal Medicine at the Rush Institute for Healthy Aging. Her research focus is nutrition epidemiology – she conducts studies to evaluate how diet can affect the health of a population. She has been working on several studies that specifically examine how diet and lifestyle affect cognitive function. Recently she has used blood-based nutrient biomarkers as part of her studies in addition to traditional measurements to analyze her findings. Dr. Xiaoran Liu receives a check for her research grant at Reason to Hope. (L-R) Executive Director Delia Jervier, Dr. Liu, Board Chair Aimee Nolan Her work could help scientists understand if dietary interventions could help in the fight to end Alzheimer’s. Dr. Liu states that this is what originally drew her to this research focus. “If successful, a primary prevention treatment could delay the onset, prevent the loss of memories, and preserve independence for a large proportion of the older population,” she says. Dr. Liu’s work aligns with the goals of the Alzheimer’s Association grant program, which are to promote research to fill in gaps in knowledge and support investigators at every professional level. The grant she received funds early career scientists and those in underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in Alzheimer’s and dementia research. The Alzheimer’s Association has awarded a total of 133 awards to researchers like Dr. Liu, totaling $26.4 million. There are currently 13 active awards using grant money from the Illinois Chapter to conduct a variety of research related to Alzheimer’s and dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association funds research that provides essential knowledge to lead the fight against Alzheimer’s and dementia. In fact, the Alzheimer’s Association is the largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s disease research in the world. Their research grants have funded some of the most important research breakthroughs including Alzheimer’s drug studies and the ability to visualize brain plaques, which are protein changes in the brain related to Alzheimer’s disease. As research continues to evolve, the hope is that one day there will be a treatment or cure for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Until then, the Alzheimer’s Association will continue to provide resources to those working toward that goal. Contributor: Ellen Grover, Alzheimer’s Association Volunteer

Written by Scott Burnsmier I must admit writing this was one of the most difficult and painful experiences I have had since mom passed away in April of 2018 from Lewy Body Dementia . As I sit here and reflect on the disease and the experiences it gave to our family over the last ten years of her life, it reminded me that Alzheimer’s is indiscriminate to who you are and the background you bring. All I could think about was my Mother, Dorothy Key — my hero, a strong-willed person who raised three kids on her own , is in for the fight of her life. I immediately started finding out what I could when we started the journey in 2008. Alzheimer’s: what is it? What will happen to our mother? We took the dreaded journey of getting answers from the Neurologist. He went through tons of tests and explained what was ahead. I immediately thought, “But she is only 62 and why her?” I then went to God and prayed as I said, “I trust you and the plan you have for her.” As the disease progressed, the first few years were somewhat normal. However, year four was met with challenges as mom found a painful lump in her breast and we had her checked. Sure enough, she had stage one breast cancer. We immediately scheduled not only our Neurology appointments, but we also had Oncology and radiation treatments as well. During this difficult time with mom, we were dealt the devastating news that my father-in-law Dean was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. His journey would last for the next six years until he passed in 2018, just 63 days after mom. I found myself at a crossroads in life as my wife Sandy and I navigated two sick parents. There were stressful moments and quite a few nursing home moves for both. I kept this phrase in my mind as we went on the Alzheimer’s journey: “We could choose to get better or bitter about our circumstances.” I was very grateful to have an incredible support system of my sisters Robin and Barb. Over the next few years, we joined Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Greater Champaign/Urbana teams coordinated by my other father-in-law. I even celebrated my 50th birthday by running 50 miles in forty-eight hours. Alzheimer’s may have taken my mother, but it hasn’t taken my will and desire to ensure no other family faces the same journey I did. Join Walk and make a difference.

Written by Laura Smetana A few years after my son was born, my dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. It was a big change for our family, as we shifted to being his primary caregiver. Before my dad was diagnosed, he was a very active grandparent—he loved playing with my son at the park, going on walks, helping us garden, and inviting us over for weekly barbecues and ice cream. But as his health declined, he was no longer able to do many of the activities he loved. He moved from his home to an assisted living facility, then memory care, and eventually was enrolled in hospice care. Understanding Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is hard for adults, but it’s especially challenging for children, who see the changes but don’t fully understand why the changes are happening. We realized we had to be honest with our son and explained that his grandpa had a disease that was changing the way his brain worked, that it wasn’t his fault, and that the disease wasn’t contagious. Seeing a loved one decline physically and mentally is hard, and it was important for us to have ongoing discussions about the changes we were seeing, to validate our son’s feelings, and to acknowledge that we felt sad about it too. It was also important for my son to maintain a relationship with his grandpa and to feel like he was doing his part to help—whether it was assisting with his grocery shopping, picking out the flavor of his protein shakes for the week, getting the ice cream when we visited, or drawing pictures to decorate Grandpa’s walls. Laura with her dad and son eating ice cream. Despite my dad’s diagnosis, they were able to maintain a meaningful connection through a shared love of ice cream. My dad gave my son his first taste of ice cream when he was a baby and from that moment on, they always enjoyed having ice cream together. After he moved to assisted living, their favorite activity became visiting the ice cream parlor every weekend. When we got my dad’s groceries, my son proudly delivered tubs of vanilla ice cream to stock his freezer, and in memory care they enjoyed ice cream together at the family nights. A few days before my dad died, he asked my son if there was any ice cream. My son asked the nurse, and she gave him two cups of chocolate ice cream–one for each of them. It was their last interaction together and it was a beautiful full circle moment. Laura holding a copy of Ice Cream with Grandpa. Their relationship became the inspiration for my book, Ice Cream with Grandpa: A Loving Story for Kids About Alzheimer’s & Dementia, which is told from a child’s point of view and beautifully illustrated by Elisabete B. P. de Moraes. It chronicles the loving relationship between a grandson and his grandpa, before and after his grandpa is diagnosed with dementia. It also includes a guide with tips for talking to kids about dementia, hospice, death, and grief by expert on grief and loss, Diane Snyder Cowan, MA, MT-BC, CHPCA. Having these conversations with children can be challenging, and the guide is a great resource to help parents and caregivers get started. It is the book I wish I had at the time, and I hope it helps other children and families navigate their own journeys through dementia and loss. After my dad was diagnosed with early stages of dementia, we felt overwhelmed and didn’t know where to turn for help. Where would he go? What long-term care options were there in the area? What resources were there to help? How quickly would the disease progress? How would we explain it to our child? There was so much unknown, and we needed help navigating the road ahead. Not only were we learning about how the disease would affect our dad and our relationship, but we needed to figure out practical things like where he would live, legal matters and finances, and how to access quality care. My colleague told me about the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900) and I remember spending my lunch break at work on the phone with a helpful staff member who answered all of my questions, and followed up with an email with a link to the Community Resource Finder, information to assist in making long-term care decisions, and a residential care checklist that we were able to print and bring with us when touring different facilities. These resources were invaluable as we navigated my dad’s changing living situation. Throughout this journey, we turned to the resources for caregivers on the Alzheimer’s Association website to learn about what to expect as he progressed through the different stages of the disease, and how to make sure he got the support and care he needed. Navigating the challenges that come with caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias can be overwhelming, but knowing that the resources on the Alzheimer’s Association website were just a click away, and that the Helpline was just a call away, was a huge relief. I knew I wasn’t alone on this journey and that support and reliable information would be there when I needed it. Raising funds and awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is so important. There is still a stigma and shame about the disease that can make people feel uncomfortable about sharing their diagnosis and it can be difficult for friends and family to maintain a relationship with loved ones as they progress through the disease. The changes can be physical, emotional, and behavioral—and it can be very hard to witness a loved one who no longer seems like the person you used to know. There were days my dad didn’t believe we were his family. Sometimes he would say “That’s not you!” That was hard for us, and I can only imagine how he must have felt, but we tried to meet him where he was in his reality and eventually, we would gently move on to other topics of conversation. Every day was different, some were more challenging than others, but we continued to adapt and share many wonderful moments together. The more people know about the disease, the more understanding, support, and compassion there will be for people living Alzheimer’s and other dementias—and hopefully with more fundraising and awareness, we’ll advance further towards finding additional treatments and eventually, a cure. An illustration from Laura’s book. I want people to know that no matter how much our loved ones change as they progress through Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, they are still our loved ones. We can still enjoy spending time with each other, and they can still feel the love and kindness we show up with. The things we enjoyed doing together with my dad changed, but some things remained the same, like our shared love of ice cream. Every week brought new challenges, but there were joys too and those were important to celebrate and cherish. Some days my dad was very chatty. One day when my dad was in memory care, we suggested my son tell Grandpa some of the jokes he learned in his new joke book. My son succeeded in making my dad laugh, and it was the first time he had laughed in months. That was a moment to celebrate. Then my dad started telling my son some of his favorite jokes, and soon we were all laughing together. That was such a wonderful, joyous moment of connection—and it became the inspiration for one of the scenes in Ice Cream with Grandpa. Other days my dad didn’t want to talk, but he didn’t want us to leave either. One day my dad and I sat together in silence for an hour, exchanging glances and having a conversation with our eyes. An hour is a long time when it’s our instinct to fill the silence, but it was one of the most beautiful moments that I shared with my dad. In my head I was having a conversation with him, and it felt like he was conversing with me through his eyes too. It was a beautiful moment, one that wouldn’t have happened if I had just said, “Well he doesn’t want to talk, I guess I’ll just leave.” He wanted to talk with his eyes, so that’s what we did. I met him where he was, in his reality at that moment, and I’m so grateful I did. Find Laura’s book Ice Cream with Grandpa: A Loving Story for Kids About Alzheimer’s & Dementia on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and IndieBound.

“It has been a difficult road to accept the effects of the disease,” shares Dan Brophy of his mother’s condition. She was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2015, but Dan and his family noticed symptoms of her condition years earlier. He honors her by hosting an annual fashion fundraiser with the Alzheimer’s Association. “My family has learned how to navigate the sharp decline in my mother’s memory,” Dan shares. “Over the years, I have learned how to best interact with my mother by providing smiles and love and not letting the pain control my emotions….People who do not have firsthand experience do not realize the other aspects of life it affects. It is something that cannot be stopped. Accepting that is beyond challenging – to accept the deterioration of a loved one’s memory. Because if we do not have our memories, then what do we have?” Despite its hardships, Dan values the community that his mother’s Alzheimer’s disease has brought to their lives. “My mom has been living at a memory care facility for 5+ years now,” says Dan. “She has received wonderful care and it has been a blessing to meet others with similar conditions.” Dan found encouragement and support by getting involved with the Alzheimer’s Association. Dan and crew at Fall Catalogue Night 2021 Dan teams up with friends and family to host an annual fundraiser called Fall Catalogue Night, an extravagant fashion event which takes place every autumn in Chicago. “Guests are encouraged to wear their most fashionable attire and attend an evening of live music, auction items, beverages, local art, and community with the goal to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association,” Dan shares. The ninth annual event will be held through The Longest Day, a DIY fundraising program with the Association. It provides a personal fundraising page and year round staff support to guarantee Fall Catalogue Night is successful. “The event brings together many friends, some of whom have relatives suffering from Alzheimer’s,” says Dan. The group shares personal stories – both heartfelt and humorous. The event is meant to be “a celebration of life (and fashion)” to uplift attendees while raising critical funds for an urgent cause. Their 2022 goal is to raise over $35,000 for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. “Come to Fall Catalogue Night and you will see how fun it is to raise money,” he encourages. “You will also hear from many people about how your money positively impacts those who are suffering.” In addition to hosting his annual fundraiser, Dan participates in Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Chicago. This year, his Walk team has a new member: his new baby daughter. As a new parent, Dan’s fight against Alzheimer’s is more important than ever. Dan and his newest partner in the fight to #ENDALZ Dan wants to educate more individuals on the Alzheimer’s epidemic. More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. By 2050, this number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million. “It affects so many people,” Dan shares. This should be a worldwide community goal to give everyone access to healthcare and support so they can deal with the emotional toll…It would give me great pleasure to say that my small efforts contributed towards a cure.” Anyone can join the fight for a cure by hosting their own fundraiser with The Longest Day. Whether it’s a lemonade stand, a restaurant give-back night or a large scale fashion show, every dollar raised moves the needle forward. “It should be of utmost importance to get funds for research,” he shares. “The utility that this would bring to the world is immeasurable.” Turn an existing event, hobby or passion into a fundraiser for Alzheimer’s. Get started at alz.org/tld. Activities can take place at any point in the year, with many focused around the Summer Solstice (June 21). Join the fight against the darkness of Alzheimer’s with The Longest Day.

“Working here has humbled me,” shares Randy Hauser of his job at ClarkLindsey retirement community. As horticulturist at the Champaign-Urbana facility, he has seen many residents journey through Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Randy decided to honor the ClarkLindsey residents and raise awareness for the disease by running the 2022 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on team ALZ Stars . As an outgoing member of the ClarkLindsey team, Randy has gotten to know many residents – especially those who share his love of gardening. Many people are eager to interact with him as he works around the community grounds. “People are drawn to it,” he shares. The opportunity to interact with him was particularly valuable at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when indoor socializing was at a minimum. Through his work, Randy met many individuals impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Some started in the independent living setting, then slowly needed around-the-clock support in the memory care center. The speed at which the disease progressed shocked him. “I was amazed at how fast those stages can happen,” he says. Randy hosts a number of programs for memory care residents at ClarkLindsey, including “Planting the Seeds.” He has residents scatter zinnia seeds, then watch as the bright blossoms grow over time. For Randy, if that program can bring even a bit of light and color to the memory care center, his job has been worth it. Randy plans to raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer’s Association by running the 2022 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on team ALZ Stars. His employer ClarkLindsey is an annual sponsor of Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Champaign/Urbana, and Randy is using his love of running to further support the fight against the disease. “I call myself a ‘hack runner,’” Randy says jokingly. “Most people don’t expect me to have run around the block, let alone a marathon.” He says if he can run long-distance, anyone can run long-distance. Randy began running on a smaller scale, starting with 5K races. He eventually progressed past 10Ks and half marathons to his first full marathon in 2012. He hopes to run twenty marathons total and is already well on his way. This year’s Chicago Marathon will be his twelfth 26.2 mile race — his fifth one in Chicago. “I’m not a running purist,” Randy says. He isn’t interested in finishing times or placing first. Instead, running is meditative for him. It’s also a way of “being with” his dad, who he lost suddenly to a heart attack a decade ago. This is Randy’s first year running with a team in the marathon’s Charity Program. “I wanted to make it about something bigger than me,” he shares. “I’m 58, very healthy and very lucky…I’m excited for my little thing to be part of a big thing.” Experienced and novice athletes alike run with team ALZ Stars . They raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Alzheimer’s care, support and research every year. Randy enjoys the Chicago Marathon because of the excitement and support from the crowd. Spectators typically gather along the entire route, cheering runners and offering words of encouragement. While the crowds cheer him on, Randy also wants to offer them something: he wants people to see his ALZ Stars singlet and inquire about the Alzheimer’s Association. He hopes people will visit alz.org to learn more about the Alzheimer’s crisis in America. Hopefully, some attendees will find the resources and support they need because of him. Randy recently completed a half marathon in Champaign/Urbana to kickstart his marathon training. He continues long runs to prepare for the 26.2 miles in Chicago on October 9. He plans to run future marathons as part of the ALZ Stars team. With every step he takes, Randy is moving us towards our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. Limited entries for ALZ Stars are still available. Visit act.alz.org/alzstars2022 to sign-up.

Dani (R) with Alzheimer’s Association CEO Harry Johns. We are thrilled to congratulate Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter Board Member Dani Jachino on her 2022 Rita Hayworth Gala Philanthropy Award. Dani is a tireless and passionate leader in the fight to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. From advocating for a more dementia friendly state to being a repeat Walk to End Alzheimer’s Elite Grand Champion, Dani is an invaluable part of our organization. “My Mother lived the last year and a half of her life in a dementia unit,” Dani shares on her Walk to End Alzheimer’s fundraising page. “My Dad’s brother and sister died of Alzheimer’s, as did another aunt and uncle. Friends’ parents died of the disease. Friend’s spouses have the disease. I do not want it and I do not want you to have it either.” The 2022 Chicago Rita Hayworth Gala was held on Saturday, April 23 to raise funds for care, support, research and advocacy. The event was founded by Princess Yasmin Aga Khan in honor of her mother, Rita Hayworth, who died as a result of Alzheimer’s disease. The first Rita Hayworth Gala was held in New York in 1984 and expanded to Chicago in 1987. “I am deeply honored to receive the Philanthropy Award. However, it’s not the end of the journey,” Dani says. “There is much more to do so we fulfill our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and other dementia – for future generations.” Dani accepts her award at the Rita Hayworth Gala. Dani first got involved with the Alzheimer’s Association after placing her mother in a memory care facility. Dani attended a support group where she connected with others facing similar challenges. She deepened her involvement by becoming co-facilitator of the support group, chairing four Chicago Walks to End Alzheimer’s, becoming a member of the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement Leadership Society and joining the Illinois Chapter Board of Directors fifteen years ago. This will be Dani’s final year on the Illinois Chapter Board of Directors, but her impact in the fight to end Alzheimer’s will continue to be felt. We thank Dani for the countless ways she strengthens our mission and brings hope to families facing the disease across Illinois and the nation.

My name is David Myers, and my wife Cheryl was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2012 at the age of 47.  Being diagnosed at such a young age creates many issues that I was not prepared for.  We have two children who were 20 and 17 when Cheryl was diagnosed and were at the age where they were just starting to enjoy hanging out with their mother.  Our family and friends rallied around us and supported us through her Alzheimer’s journey, trying to fill the void.  If you had told me the kinds of things I’d have to do for her, I would have said I couldn’t do it. But I did do them, and I overcame things that I would’ve struggled to do for anyone else. After 32 years, I truly believe that there was nothing I wouldn’t do for her. It takes an emotional toll.  But there is a financial toll as well.  There are many things I worried about financially.  We prepared for the worst and hoped for the best.   We were able to keep Cheryl at home throughout her journey by utilizing in-home care.  We received assistance from the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services, which came in and evaluated our situation.  This service is available for people under the age of 60 that receive a dementia diagnosis. What happened to us wasn’t something you’d expect.  No one would expect it.  But there are many unexpected things that happen in life.  I would encourage others to get their financial affairs in order before there’s ever a need. I was afraid to talk to anybody about my finances for fear that they would say to me “what were you thinking?”  I didn’t want anyone to tell me I should have done better.  Luckily, we had life insurance, and after Cheryl passed away, I needed help in making sure that money was there for my kids.   I did not know anything about finances, so I finally bit the bullet and scheduled an appointment with a financial advisor, and we had a conversation about priorities, passions, and future plans.  We really didn’t talk about money until the end just so they knew what I had.  They gave me things to think about that I had never contemplated, like when you take social security and things like that.   I am now better prepared for my future, and I have options I never knew were possible.  But it’s not just about finances, it’s about a cause I believe in and spend an abundance of my time and efforts giving to the Alzheimer’s Association for the work they do and the desire I have to walk alongside others on this journey we call Alzheimer’s. I have had many roles with the Association as a volunteer, organizer, and a leader.  From organizing the    Cheryl’s Holy Walkamolies  Alzheimer’s Walk Team (follow link for information on the walk or to donate), to providing educational webinars and educational programs to groups that want to know more.  I even helped start a support group just for men that are taking care of their wives. I’ve found only men going through similar circumstances understand, and it’s easier to open up and share.  This all led to being asked to join the Illinois Board of Directors for the Association to assist with building Alzheimer’s support down state.  In this role, I’m committed to making a difference in helping others with the best way to care for those affected by this disease.   A very personal part of my mission in fighting Alzheimer’s was born out of a personal experience my wife and I shared together.   Cheryl and I got our first motorcycle as a married couple right after she was diagnosed and spent many hours together just riding and enjoying our time even after she couldn’t communicate.  Because that was something we enjoyed, I started the “We’re Alz Ridin For a Cure” Motorcycle ride to raise support and awareness for the disease.  July 23 we are adding a car show to the ride and will be starting and ending at BloNo Pizza in Bloomington, Il.  If you ride, or just like cars, trucks and motorcycles, please come out and support us.  We will have silent auctions, pizza, and the bar will be open.  My number one goal is to raise money and awareness for the support of those living with Alzheimer’s and all the money raised stays here in central Illinois. If you have questions or need assistance, please call 800-272-3900 anytime and someone will help you.  Seriously, these phones are manned 24 hours, 365 days a year.  Also, if you would rather check out the Alzheimer’s website, you can go to  ALZ.org .  And finally, If you would like to talk about any of the above, please reach out to me at  davem9@frontier.com . This article first appeared on McBeath Financial Group’s website. Read the full article here .