By: Pastor Jeanette Jordan I married the love of my life, Robert Andrew Jordan, on July 29, 1962. He was twenty and I was seventeen. Fifty-five years later our story of love and happiness, good times and bad, ups and downs, twists and turns, from poverty to prosperity had enough guiding light that it was turned into a published book “From Suspenders to Stethoscope…the Dr. Jordan Story.” This story was released June 30, 2017, the day which was the last day of work for my husband, Robert A. Jordan, M.D., the pediatrician, a graduate from Rush Medical College,the first African American Chief Resident at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital, a well known and respected physician who was known for the quality of patient care he gave to thousands of children during his time in practice. He believed that no matter what one’s socioeconomic orientation may be, or ethnicity or gender or religious affiliation – everyone deserved the best of healthcare. Yet this dedicated clinician had been diagnosed with dementia. It was in January of 2014 that I finally came out of denial and came to terms with what was going on with my husband. I shared with our five children as well as Bob’smother and sisters my fear of what was later confirmed – he had dementia. I became more observant of the changes in his behavior. He would call me from his office two or three times a day to ask how my day was going and I would share with him I was doing or had done but a few minutes later he would call again, and ask the exact same question. When I would say you just called me and asked me that, he would laugh and say, ‘“Oh I was just kidding.” He was an avid golfer and would golf at least two to three times per week with his buddies or on his off days and special occasions. However, I began to notice his buddies stopped calling to include him in their golf outings. I eventually realized it was probably because he would interrupt the game when he couldn’t find his phone or misplaced his keys, everyone would have to go on the hunt only to find that his keys were in his pocket and/or his phone in the compartment of the golf cart. He stopped being excited about our golfing together. His interest in reading the bible, which he loved to do, diminished. We were a physician pastor team and our dialogue with one another about our passions was slowly coming to a halt. I would ask him to stop by the store on his way home from the office to get a loaf of bread, or pick salad fixings and would come with everything but. Around late 2015 his staff started calling me to ask if Dr. Jordan had come home for lunch because it was way past his lunch hour and he had not returned. He once called me to say he had gone to pick up lunch for the staff but he was confused and couldn’t find his way back to the office. He seemed scared and panicky, but I was able to direct him home using landmarks and street signs after about 30 minutes. I was taking care of my 86 year old sister who was a double amputee, and he would ask the same questions about her condition over and over. In early 2016 I finally convinced him to let me make him an appointment to see our Primary Care Physician to be evaluated for possible memory loss- he wasn’t happy with the suggestion and went hesitantly. My husband was so crafty that he convinced our doctor that nothing was wrong with him, but rather he was preoccupied. When the doctor suggested that he could do a memory loss assessment just to rule out what we suspected, Bob refused. I can remember leaving the office in dismay, frustrated not knowing what to do. I began to watch his behavior even more closely. His routine of getting up at 7 am, showering, getting dressed, making and drinking a cup of coffee, stopping by McDonald’s to get some oatmeal before going to the office began to change. He started sleeping later and later. His impeccable dress was a little off and it would take him forever to complete the dressing task; he was constantly misplacing his wallet or his phone or his keys. Every morning was a search for something that he had misplaced. When I located the item he would fuss and say “who put it there?”. I notice that his demeanor was changing and he would get irritated often. He started to get up earlier to get ready for work, sometimes as early as 6 am when office hours weren’t until 9 a.m, leaving him to pace back and forth until it was time to leave. He stopped calling his mother, I would have to remind him. He forgot that our daughter’s fiance had flown in from California to ask him for our daughter’s hand in marriage. They had a long wonderful conversation and he gave his blessing. When the day came that she called to say they were on their way to get married, he became angry and claimed he’d never met the man. He began to take longer and longer to come home. As things got progressively worse, my children and I started preparing for Dr. Jordan’s retirement. We found a psychiatrist who convinced him to do a memory loss test and diagnosed him with Alzheimer’s. A second opinion confirmed this diagnosis. He was placed on medication, which he initially refused to take. We reduced his hours at his office, my oldest daughter immediately pitched in by becoming the office administrator to help prepare for his retirement. He was resistant to retiring but we finally convinced him it was time to enjoy life outside of medicine, he was now 75 years old and God had given him the ability to practice 10 years beyond retirement age. July 3, 2017 was the first day of retirement for Dr. Jordan. On that day he got up early,got dressed in his suit and tie, put on his lab jacket, and began searching high and low for his stethoscope and car keys. On that day my duties as a caregiver began. Trying to get him to understand that he no longer had to go to work was a daily struggle. He was concerned with how we were going to survive, eat, and pay bills. This question went on all day practically every day. I eventually had to go write out our income sources and put it in his wallet so that he could visually see the numbers and understand for a short period of time that we were going to be alright. We had to move from our home which was now much to big for me to handle and seemed to be a trigger for his unhappiness. Not being able to drive the car that sat in the garage made him angry, not being able to go to the office to care for the children confused him. I was becoming frustrated, angry and confused. I hadn’t experienced or know anyone suffering from this disease and had no point of reference. I cried daily. My children insisted that I connect with a support group, so I started with the support group at South Suburban Hospital in Hazelcrest, IL, I then reached out to the Alzheimer’s Association of Illinois. After having attended an Alzheimer’s Association forum at Palos Hospital in Palos, Illinois where I shared my story I was asked if I would be interested in volunteering as a caregiver speaker for the Association and I gladly did so. I also- signed up to become a participant in the Emory University Tele-Savvy Caregiver Program which is a training program for caregivers. I needed to know all there was to know about being an informed caregiver, I knew how to be a wife but now I needed to know as a wife how to be a good caregiver for my husband. I’ve learned that I’m more than a caregiver, I am a clinician for my husband. This journey has touched my heart so deeply that I now have a need and calling to be an advocate, not just for my husband, but for all who are affected by this disease. My husband as well as all who suffer deserve to be cared for with respect, dignity, honor and a deeper kind of love. Even though my plans were to care for him at home till death would separate us, my children and I had to make the dreaded decision in October of 2019 to place Dr. Robert A. Jordan in a long term care facility. He had begun to wander off, once having to be found by the police and brought back home. That was the most frightening day of my life. Then he was becoming aggressive toward me, my daughter and nephew; he was extremely agitated and depressed. In his new community he has become very calm and more social with the other residents. I find solace in sharing what I’m learning and experiencing every day. One key I have learned is that self-care is most important. If I’m not healthy, I can’t see to it that my husband is cared for properly. During the time I was caring for my husband at home I was anxious, tired, short-fused, crying daily and suffering sleepless nights. I needed to share my feelings with someone who wouldn’t judge or criticize how I was feeling, so my children encouraged me to see a therapist. This was the best decision I could have made because she help me to work through my feelings of fear and frustrations by focusing on self-care. I gave myself permission to enjoy my life through spiritual disciplines, outings with friends, or enjoying free time with recreational activities. I have been blessed with an awesome support team, my daughters, my church family, my Nephew, my God Son together with his daughter and Dr Jordan’s colleagues who visit him often. My two children who live out of state come to surprise their Dad and I as often as they can, but with today’s technology we FaceTime them when we visit. This support team allows me the flexibility to take trips to see my children and grandchildren who live out of state or to just do a getaway! I’m thankful for my support groups, the friends who have not abandoned us, my children who are the best, my colleagues, Bob’s colleagues, Bob’s agency caregiver, who still visits him, my church family and the support goes on and on. The vows we took 57 years ago have even more meaning to me now, “for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health we’ll be one till death parts us!” #Alzheimersdisease #caregiver #AlzheimersAssociation #caregiving #caregivers #lovestory #dementia

Marisa Breese is one of the Junior Board’s newest members who worked to help put on their largest annual event, Paint the Night Purple. The evening was packed with activities- from appetizers and an open bar, live music, silent auction, raffles, and dancing! This night was a huge success and helps inform the Junior Board on ideas for next year’s event. Marisa works in Public Relations for an agency in Chicago, has a 5-year-old Shepherd Collie mix named Harlow, and is a PADI certified open water scuba diver. When she isn’t spending time with her friends, playing volleyball, or traveling, Marisa is an active volunteer for the Junior Board. “Hi, I’m Marisa! I first started volunteering alongside the Junior Board in February 2019 after looking up ways to get involved with advocacy and fundraising efforts related to Alzheimer’s. On my first outing with the Junior Board, we visited Sunrise Lincoln Park – a senior living community that specializes in memory care. We chatted casually with the residents, and another Junior Board member brought art supplies to create Valentine’s Day cards. Even though we were there for only a short time, I really enjoyed being able to have a positive impact on the residents. I was inspired to find a group like this because I felt a personal connection to the cause. My maternal grandmother, Margot Gardiner (Gramma to me) is currently living with the disease. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2017. At the time, there were only hints of the disease – she would misplace items or forget conversations. Treatment has helped keep the disease somewhat under control, but I still see a difference in her mannerisms and how she interacts with our family now. She’s always been the best grandparent – she used to be an amazing cook and seamstress, and she and my Papa (who’s taken on new roles to care for her) still try to attend every choir show, dance recital, sporting event, etc. that my cousins and I have been part of. It’s definitely been difficult for us to watch her gradually change, though, because of this awful disease. Her diagnosis is what prompted me to get involved with the Junior Board. I’ve really enjoyed my time with the Junior Board over the past year. In the past year, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting other young professionals who all have a connection to this terrible disease, so we’re all very passionate about making an impact. So far, I’ve had the opportunity to volunteer several times at Sunrise Lincoln Park and once at Memory Rock Chicago (an annual fundraising event), and I joined the Junior Board’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s team this past October. I was so excited to officially attend our Paint the Night Purple gala for the first time this year! I worked at the coat check as a volunteer last year, so this year was a chance to spend time with friends, family, and fellow Junior Board members at the event.” Interested in our Junior Board? To submit an application, visit here . #events #fundraiser #JuniorBoard #spotlight

As an unpaid caregiver, you commit time, energy and compassion to the ones you love who are living with Alzheimer’s. Chances are you’ve also had to cover some care costs out-of-pocket. Because you are a caregiver you might qualify for some tax benefits from the IRS. Though tax rules can be complicated and are subject to change, here are some expenses you might be able to write off. Talk to your tax advisor or accountant to learn more. Medical expenses. Your loved one living with dementia may be considered your dependent for tax purposes. If this is the case you may be able to deduct their medical costs. Typically you can only deduct medical and dental expenses that are more than 10 percent of your adjusted gross income, but if you or your spouse were born before 1952 you maybe able to deduct medical expenses more than 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income. Note: Only expenses not reimbursed by insurance can be deducted. Medical fees from doctors, laboratories, assisted living residences, home health care and hospitals Cost of prescription drugs Cost of transportation to receive medical care Home modifications costs such as grab bars and handrails Personal care items, such as disposable briefs and food Dependent Care Credit. If you paid someone to care for the person with dementia so you could work or look for work, you may be able to claim the “Child and Dependent Care Credit” on your federal income tax return. If eligible, you would be allowed a credit of up to 35 percent of your qualifying expenses, depending upon your adjusted gross income. To qualify: You must have earned income The person with dementia must be unable to physically or mentally care for him or herself The person with dementia must be claimed as a dependent on your tax return Flexible spending account. If the person with dementia is a dependent under the tax rules, you might be able to use your own workplace flexible spending account (FSA). This money can cover the person’s out-of-pocket medical costs or dependent care expenses in some cases. For more information on deductible expenses and exemptions for caregivers, visit these links: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p926.pdf #caregivers #dementia #taxes

Paint The Night Purple is an annual winter fundraiser hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association Junior Board. Through the dedicated efforts of our Planning Committee, the event brings together young professionals from across Chicago for an unforgettable evening featuring an open bar and lavish hors-d’oeuvres, a silent auction, raffle, and live entertainment. More than 1,000 Chicagoans come out each year and this event has quickly become the Junior Board’s largest and longest running fundraiser. Paint the Night Purple 2020 is on the horizon, and in honor of that we are featuring one of our newest dedicated Junior Board members, Joe Barron. Joe lives in Glen Ellyn with his wife Lauren, daughter Emery and two Vizlas, Gipper and Rudy. “Hi! I’m Joe Barron, ALZ Junior Board member since 2018. I’m truly honored to be a part of this wonderful group of people to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s. Both of my grandmothers passed away from Alzheimer’s with one of them having lived with it for over 10 years. I now fight in their honor and for a future without Alzheimer’s. In 2017, my wife and I started a board game company, Gray Matters Games, which donates a meaningful portion of profits to Alzheimer’s research. The last two years Gray Matters has been a sponsor for Paint The Night Purple and donated our entire line of games to the silent auction. Gray Matters also holds an annual Longest Day event of playing board games! Last year the event was held at Fair Game store in La Grange and raised over $3,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association. Nothing beats having a ton of fun while raising money for an amazing cause! My favorite memory of PTNP has been dancing the night away the past two years to The Boy Night Band. My friends and I that attended PTNP were in high school when most of that music came out, so it felt like we were back at prom!” To get your tickets for this exciting winter event, visit here: https://www.alzillinoisjuniorboard.org/paint-the-night-purple.html #events #fundraiser #JuniorBoard #PaintTheNightPurple

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Paul Bernstein built his legacy as an attorney. A graduate of DePaul Law school, Paul met his wife Dolores working in a firm where she was hired as a clerk. Before long, they fell in love and got married, blending their families of Dolores’ four children and Paul’s three, a second marriage for both. The children took to Dolores immediately, as did most people, according to Paul. “Dolores was a natural when it came to everyone she ever met, always taking a wonderful liking to her. I enjoyed making new friends with her even though those friends were much more likely to remember her name and not mine!” Paul was proud of the strength of their marriage, and it stood the test of time as they developed a life together in downtown Chicago. Unexpectedly, Dolores and Paul took in one of their grandchildren when she was around seven years old. Raising and caring for her for upwards of nine years, Paul and Dolores developed their own little family with their granddaughter. Dolores’ passion for dancing, playing piano, and violin was contagious and eventually rubbed off. “Dolores’ love of dancing caught on with our granddaughter, and we went on to live a great life and raise a super grandchild!” Paul and Dolores’ marriage was full of love and life, improving every day even when it felt as though it couldn’t get any better. They both remained in good health while they raised their granddaughter, allowing them to enjoy all the experiences of life together as she grew up. As avid lovers of travel, they spent any free time they had seeing the world together. “Our life before the diagnosis was great and got greater with every day of our life together. This was a second marriage for both of us and we lived each day to the maximum.” After 45 beautiful years together, Dolores was diagnosed with a rare form of dementia for which there is no cure. As her disease progressed, Paul terminated 98% of his law practice to become a 24/7 caregiver for his loving wife. A committed and adamant caretaker, Paul sometimes slept on the floor of their apartment in front of the door to prevent Dolores’ wandering out in the middle of the night. There were easy days and more difficult days, but Paul’s love and commitment to the love of his life never wavered in the face of adversity. “I cannot say I enjoyed every part of it, but it never gave me a reason to give up or not show the love of my life, that through the good and the not so good, how much I owed her for our loving lives together- and so whatever it took, I did!” After two years of 24/7 care taking, Dolores and Paul were given a prognosis of about six months. Though it ended up being seven months, Paul appreciated the honesty and directness of the neurologist regarding the projection. “Honesty is the best policy. Undertaking this kind of responsibility takes honesty, sincerity, and willingness to try.” Paul remained by Dolores’ side until the very end. After 47 years of joy and happiness, Paul said goodbye to his loving wife. Though it was a difficult and sometimes painful end, he has no regrets about how he handled it. Taking time off work to focus on Dolores’ needs, making her comfortable and happy, was a commitment Paul stuck to with steadfastness. “I just cannot think about any life other than asking God that when I go, I end up in the heaven that Dolores is in, and that we live happily ever after… knowing we had a fantastic life together and would enjoy even more further on.” Though dementia is a powerful disease to battle, Paul’s commitment to his wife was unwavering and it is stories like these that solidify the Alzheimer’s Association’s pledge to find a cure. #storybank #Alzheimersdisease #personalstory #caregiver #caregiving #story

Taking care of your brain can take many forms- fitness, diet, and brain exercises to name a few. But managing the well being of your heart is proven to be of high importance as well. Blood pressure specifically is one area where we can have some control over our heart health. Though things like genetics may be beyond our control, there are things we can do in our day to day that can help keep the heart strong and supporting the brain. Consider talking to your provider about your blood pressure to get an idea of where you are and what steps you might need to take in order to get it under control. Here are some management tips to help with blood pressure: Go easy on the salt. Salt or sodium sneaks its way into our diets in more ways than we often realize. There obvious offenders like soda and sweetened coffee, but foods like pizza, chips and deli meat also often tend to have a high sodium content. Consider getting the low sodium option at the deli counter and swapping the latte out for a traditional coffee. Eat your fruits and veggies. Foods high in potassium, such as bananas and leafy greens can help lower blood pressure. Have a salad with dinner or keep some bananas at work to snack on for an easy fix. Chocolate. That’s right- a health blog is telling you to eat chocolate! A square or two of rich dark chocolate per day can promote a healthy heart. Get fishy. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in most types of fish such as salmon, mackerel and herring. Also available in supplement form for the seafood unfriendly. Put the beer down. Alcohol can increase blood pressure, so consider swapping that second drink out for water or unsweetened tea. Show your heart you care this American Heart Month by making some changes to your daily routine. A few simple swaps can have great effects on the future health of your heart and brain. #Alzheimersdisease #AmericanHeartMonth #hearthealth #AlzheimersAssociation #brainhealth

As the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research, the Alzheimer’s Association is committed to raising awareness of this fatal brain disease and its warning signs in diverse populations during Black History Month and year-round. According to the 2019 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, the need for strong voices and advocacy on behalf of our African American communities in the fight against Alzheimer’s has never been greater: African Americans are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease as older white Americans. African Americans may be more likely to be diagnosed in the later stages of the disease when individuals are more cognitively and physically impaired – and therefore, are in need of more medical care. Despite their increased risk, African Americans are underrepresented in clinical trials. It is estimated that 97% of participants in industry-funded clinical trials and more than 90% in NIH-funded trials for Alzheimer’s disease are comprised of non-Hispanic whites. Many people dismiss the warning signs of Alzheimer’s, believing that they are merely a part of typical aging. While there are currently no treatments to stop or even slow the progression of Alzheimer’s, early detection and diagnosis can allow for earlier use of available treatments that may provide some relief of symptoms and help maintain independence longer. Delays in diagnosis mean that African-Americans are not getting treatments when they are most likely to be effective at improving quality of life, as well as taking critical steps to educate themselves on Alzheimer’s and establish support networks. Alzheimer’s Association 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Memory loss that disrupts daily life. Challenges in planning or solving problems. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure. Confusion with time or place. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships. New problems with words in speaking or writing. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps. Decreased or poor judgment. Withdrawal from work or social activities. Changes in mood and personality. The Alzheimer’s Association provides resources and materials for many diverse audiences, including information and issues that might be of concern to African-Americans. For more information, call the Alzheimer’s Association toll-free, 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 or visit alz.org/Illinois. #Alzheimersdisease #BlackHistoryMonth #Risk

By: Sydney Church This will be my fourth Paint the Night Purple event I am attending as a board member. This event is so special to me because it is an opportunity to pay tribute to my loved ones who are, or were, affected by Alzheimer’s. I got involved in this cause originally because of my grandmother on my father’s side. She passed away from Alzheimer’s when I was only 8 years old. Being so young, I was so confused by Alzheimer’s and dementia in general. I couldn’t understand how someone could not know or remember who you are, especially their own children and grandchildren. It was very traumatizing to me and extremely upsetting to our whole family. Even years later my family on my father’s side hasn’t quite been the same. I will never forget the way I felt after visiting my grandmother, we called her Nanny, shortly before she passed, and that was the main reason I vowed to one day get involved in this cause- not only to better understand it, but to help find a treatment or prevention to one day end this awful heart-wrenching disease. Within this past year, my grandmother on my mother’s side has taken a turn for the worse. She has trouble remembering things, and it seems to be getting progressively worse. As she lives in Ohio and I’m in Chicago, I don’t get to see her as often as I’d like, but every time I go home I make sure to see her and my grandfather and help them with getting groceries, cleaning, or driving them to doctor’s appointments – whatever is needed. I participate in the Junior Board and with this event because it’s one positive side of all this gloom and heartbreak. It’s also the biggest event the Junior Board puts on and our big night to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter, which goes to research and finding a cure to end Alzheimer’s once and for all. I love PTNP because it’s a seamless event. Everyone who has a hand in this event is so impressive and so hard working, and no one is doing it for the credit, but rather because this cause means so much to them and they want to do their part. Each and every year I’m more impressed by the event and so thankful to be a part of it. I’ve convinced many friends and colleagues to attend and each and every one of them has said they look forward to attending next year’s event and that they can’t wait. It’s also a fun excuse to dress up and drink champagne, while also doing good and giving back to the community. Tickets to the Junior Board’s largest annual event can be found here #storybank #personalstory #PaintTheNightPurple #volunteer #events

Sixty percent of those with Alzheimer’s disease will wander at some point during their diagnosis. This is a significant safety concern for the more than 230,000 people living with Alzheimer’s in Illinois. A person living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia may not remember his or her name or address and can become disoriented even in familiar places. In cold temperatures and winter weather conditions, wandering can be dangerous – even life-threatening. As the weather becomes inclement it is important to keep your loved one with dementia safe by taking simple precautions to prevent wandering. Alzheimer’s Association’s Tips to Prevent Wandering: Carry out daily activities: Having a routine can provide structure. Consider creating a daily plan. Avoid busy places: Shopping malls and grocery stores can be confusing causing disorientation. Night wandering: Restrict fluids two hours before bedtime and ensure the person has gone to the bathroom just before bed. Also, use night lights throughout the home or facility. Locks: Place out of sight. Install slide bolts at the top or bottom of doors. Doors and doorknobs: Camouflage doors by painting them the same colors as the walls. Cover them with removable curtains or screens. Cover knobs with cloth in the color of the door or use childproof knobs. Monitoring devices: Try devices that signal when a door or window is opened. Place a pressure-sensitive mat at the door or bedside to alert of movement. Secure trigger items: Some people will not go out without a coat, hat, pocketbook, keys, wallet, etc. Making these items unavailable can prevent wandering. When weather temperatures plummet and staying indoors is encouraged, planning ahead for your loved one can be crucial for his or her safety. The Alzheimer’s Association can help with activity suggestions, communication and how to identify confusion and the triggers that increase the incidence of wandering. Planning Ahead: Keep a list of people for the person with dementia to call when feeling overwhelmed. Have their telephone numbers in one location and easily accessible. Ask neighbors, friends and family to call if they see the person alone or dressed inappropriately. Keep a recent, close-up photo and updated medical information on hand to give to police. Know your neighborhood. Pinpoint dangerous areas near the home, such as bodies of water, open stairwells, dense foliage, tunnels, bus stops and roads with heavy traffic. Know if the individual is right or left-handed. Wandering generally follows the direction of the dominant hand. Keep a list of places where the person may wander, like past jobs, former homes, places of worship or a restaurant. Should a loved one go missing, especially in colder temperatures, experts recommend calling 911 as soon as possible so that an Illinois Silver Search advisory or other public notification can be issued. For more information about the Illinois Silver Search program, visit silversearchillinois.org. #Alzheimersdisease #AlzheimersAssociation #brain #wintersafety #dementia

Winter can bring about additional challenges for people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Snow, extreme temperatures and early darkness are just some of the season-related changes caregivers need to navigate when caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s. “Winter can be an especially hard time for caregivers and people with dementia. It’s harder to get around which can lead to isolation, and cold weather and icy streets make wandering even more dangerous,” said Melissa Tucker, Director of Family Services for the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter. “Six out of ten people with dementia will eventually wander, and in severe weather, a wandering incident is even more frightening. Caregivers should consider increasing supervision whenever wandering is a concern. When traveling, make sure there is enough time to dress appropriately, and plan to go slowly when walking to avoid falls. We understand that increasing care or changing your routine can be difficult, and this is something we are here to help people with. Anyone who has questions about caring for a person with dementia or needs support with this can call our 24/7 helpline at 1-800-272-3900.” The Alzheimer’s Association offers these winter safety tips for those living with Alzheimer’s: Be prepared. Check weather conditions regularly and have emergency plans in place. Bundle up. People living with Alzheimer’s can be at greater risk for hyperthermia because they do not dress appropriately for conditions or cannot communicate weather-related discomfort. Make sure your loved one is dressed and prepared for winter weather conditions. Avoid slips and falls. People living with Alzheimer’s may experience problems with vision, perception, and balance. Assume all surfaces are slick; assist the person by taking smaller steps and slowing down, so they can match gait and speed to a safer level. Make daylight last longer. Shorter days during winter months can also increase the risk of “sundowning.” Monitor closely for agitation or restlessness as day transitions into night. Make daylight last by turning on indoor lights earlier, opening curtains or installing motion detector lights. Prevent wandering. Wandering is a common challenge facing caregivers and can be extremely dangerous in colder conditions. As the weather becomes inclement it is important to keep your loved one with dementia safe by taking extra precautions to prevent wandering. Ask for help with snow/ice removal, grocery shopping or other errands. Additional safety tips for Alzheimer’s caregivers can be found by visiting alz.org/illinois.

In 2020, the most popular New Year’s resolutions among Americans will be focused on living healthier lives. In addition to achieving healthier bodies, the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter encourages people to strive to achieve healthy brains in the new year. More than 230,000 people are living with Alzheimer’s disease in Illinois. Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. and the only cause of death in the top 10 that cannot be prevented, treated or cured. However, growing evidence indicates that people may reduce their risk of cognitive decline by making key lifestyle changes. Cognitive decline is a deterioration in memory or cognition that is, to some extent, expected with age. Normal cognitive decline is different from dementia in that it is not severe enough to interfere with daily life. The following is a collection of tips to reduce one’s risk of cognitive decline: • Break a sweat. Engage in regular cardiovascular exercise that elevates your heart rate and increases blood flow to the brain and body. Several studies have found an association between physical activity and reduced risk of cognitive decline. • Hit the books. Formal education in any stage of life will help reduce your risk of cognitive decline and dementia. For example, take a class at a local college, community center or online. • Catch some Zzz’s. Not getting enough sleep due to conditions like insomnia or sleep apnea may result in problems with memory and thinking. • Buddy up. Staying socially engaged may support brain health. Pursue social activities that are meaningful to you. Find ways to be part of your local community, or just share activities with friends and family. • Follow your heart. Evidence shows that risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke — obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes — negatively impact your cognitive health. Take care of your heart, and your brain just might follow. • Heads up! Brain injury can raise your risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Wear a seat belt, use a helmet when playing contact sports or riding a bike, and take steps to prevent falls. • Fuel up right. Eat a healthy and balanced diet that is lower in fat and higher in vegetables and fruit to help reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Although research on diet and cognitive function is limited, certain diets, including Mediterranean and Mediterranean-DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), may contribute to risk reduction. • Take care of your mental health. Some studies link a history of depression with increased risk of cognitive decline, so seek medical treatment if you have symptoms of depression, anxiety or other mental health concerns. Also, try to manage stress. • Butt out. Evidence shows that smoking increases risk of cognitive decline. Quitting smoking can reduce that risk to levels comparable to those who have not smoked. • Stump yourself. Challenge and activate your mind. Build a piece of furniture. Complete a jigsaw puzzle. Do something artistic. Play games, such as bridge, that make you think strategically. Challenging your mind may have short and long-term benefits for your brain.

By: Tracy Harding Before I begin, I just want to say how honored I am to be able to share my story with all of you. The following is the mission speech I gave at this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s in McHenry County. I walked to honor both my mom and my aunt. My first Walk to End Alzheimer’s with my mom My journey began 10 years ago when my mom started having memory loss. We had her tested but the doctors said it was due to stress. As the years went on, the memory loss got worse. She soon forgot how to do the simple things that we all take for granted in our daily lives. She forgot how to turn on a stove. She forgot how to use a cell phone. She even started to struggle with how to brush her own teeth. In 2014, we went back to the doctors, but this time she was diagnosed with Early-Onset Alzheimer’s. She was 58 years old. Three months later, at the age of 62, her sister, my aunt, was also diagnosed with Early-Onset Alzheimer’s. Our families were devastated and my mom’s spirit was broken beyond repair. We had to continue to take away her independence, one of the worst being when I had to call the police to ping her cell phone after she got lost driving. She never drove again after that. I soon realized that to have any type of relationship with my mom, I had to start learning how to live in her world. A world that wasn’t fair, a world that didn’t make sense, a world that she had no choice that she was living in. My mom always said that the day I trashed my wedding dress was one of the best days of her life! She went through the stages incredibly quick and soon began to forget how to dress herself – and even worse, take care of her personal hygiene. It became too much, so in 2017 we decided to put her in a memory care home. The week before we moved her, I went to visit her on Mother’s Day when I wasn’t feeling well. She must have known somehow because she put her hand on my head and said, “Is it better now?” It will always be one of the fondest memories I have of my mom after she got ill. In my heart, I knew I still had a piece of her left. Moving her into the home was one of the hardest days of my life. Yes, she still had some spunk left in her step, but I saw what this disease was doing to other people and I knew that she would not be that far off from it. Mom was a huge Chicago Blackhawks fan Unfortunately, this disease has pretty much taken all of my mom from us. I remember doing a speech a couple of years ago at the high school I work at about Alzheimer’s. I stood there in front of everyone and said, “I am terrified for the day that she will no longer know my name.” I do not know the last time I have heard it. She doesn’t say much these days and if she does it is incoherent. She is dependent on someone for everything and is wheelchair-bound. She sits in a chair most of the day and sleeps. When she does her open eyes, there is not much behind them because the smallest of tasks exhaust her mind. I don’t like to admit to it, but I often find myself asking “when will this be over?” A few of her grandkids My mom turned 64 in September and I hate every time her birthday comes around because it is a reminder that this disease has stolen another year from us. I miss calling her on my way home from work. I miss her holding my hand when I would wake up from a surgery. I miss her beautiful voice when she would sing. I just miss my mom, yet she is still here. It is such an ironic feeling of grief that is so difficult to explain to those that have never experienced a loss with Alzheimer’s. Hanging out after the Walk this year It is human nature to want to fix things. That is one of the toughest parts of being a caregiver or watching somebody live with Alzheimer’s because currently, we can’t. We all need to raise awareness about how this disease not only how impacts the people living with Alzheimer’s but also their families. We all need to raise the much-needed funds to find a cure to end Alzheimer’s. Simply put, we all need to fight. Like Jimmy V once said, “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.” I know I will never give up. We WILL find the first survivor of Alzheimer’s one day! We must continue to forge ahead and be the voice for those that can no longer speak up for themselves. We must make the choice to wake up each day and fight again. We must remember that the “darkness part of midnight is right before the break of dawn” – and because of that, we must believe that we are on the brink of a cure! Mother’s Day 2019 I will never understand why my family was chosen for this path. But there is one thing I do know, because of this path I have some incredible people in my life. They are my strength. They are my light. They are the ones that remind me the sun will rise again and because of that and because of them, I will always be grateful to have joined this fight. Take a moment and look at the people around you, they see you, they hear you, they feel you but most importantly they understand you. Please know that you are never alone in this journey and if you ever do feel alone, remember today, and remember what it feels like today because today, today we are all one as we fight to find a cure to end Alzheimer’s! Keep love in your heart, keep fighting and keep believing. Much love to all of you. Thank you.