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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.

For families living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, the holidays can sometimes be less than happy and instead filled with anxiety and stress. When adult children travel to visit older parents there are often changes that have been occurring over the time apart. Things like For a mom with Alzheimer’s who has always taken on meal planning and preparation, the holidays may simply prove to be too overwhelming. As the disease steals the ability to perform daily tasks, doing the grocery shopping, following a recipe or even setting the table may be too complicated with too many steps to remember and follow. For dads who traditionally host the viewing of the holiday football game, crowds of people all talking at once may cause anxiety and even anger as the ability to keep track of conversations decreases. There are a number of things families can do if they are aware of changes before descending on mom and dad for the holidays. Sharing with friends who might stop by can also help eliminate stress and worry about whether a visit might go well. Tips to enhance communication with a person who has dementia: Always approach the person from the front to say hello or hold a conversation. Use name badges for all guests so no one has to remember names and ask everyone to introduce themselves even if it seems silly. “Hi Grandpa, it’s Billy” Address the person with dementia by name or nickname. They may not always remember they are Dad, Uncle, or Aunt. Maintain eye contact. Be patient and encourage the person to continue to express themselves even if it’s hard to understand or it takes a long time. Avoid criticizing, correcting, and arguing. Be prepared to accept the reality of the person with dementia, whether that is today or 20 years ago on the farm. Who benefits by correcting the person with dementia? Why remind them someone has died if they don’t remember? Be calm and supportive. Avoid using negative statements and quizzing (e.g., “You know who that is, don’t you?”) Use short, simple, and familiar words but don’t speak to adult using childish, cutesy phrases. Avoid talking about the person as if he/she weren’t there. Try not to use phrases like “remember that?” for recent memories instead reminisce about general family memories. Do we always have pumpkin pie? Instead of “remember that Hanukah when we all went to the cabin?” Instead of television or games, pull out family albums and let the person with dementia share stories and memories. Tips for success at mealtime: Suggest a grandchild help out in the kitchen as a way to practice following a recipe and measurement skills. Have everyone pick a job to do, even if this is a change for the family who always relied on mom to do everything in preparation for the big meal Try new recipes with foods that are easy to eat, more finger foods and less cutting up of meat. Use solid color plates so food can be more easily seen and not compete with flower patterns. Offer the role of carving to a new or younger family member as a way to pass the torch while keeping sharp knives out of the hands of someone with dementia. Offer sparkling water, non-alcoholic wine, and beer to all guests. Alcohol is not a good mix with dementia medications, depression, and mood swings. Help keep clothes clean and maintain dignity for the person with dementia by suggesting everyone tuck a napkin into their shirt or blouse. Caregiving is a 24/7 job. The Alzheimer’s Association describes caregiving as the 36 hour day. The responsibility is non-stop. Caregivers are often managing the household budget, cleaning, cooking, doing laundry, taking Tips for helping caregivers: Visitors from out of town can provide much-needed respite for the daily caregiver. Offer to sit and visit so the caregiver can grocery shop without a sense of vigilance. Give the gift of a night out with movie tickets or a sit-down dinner at a local restaurant. Offer to run errands to the store, the pharmacy, the hardware store Home repair and gardening may have become lesser priorities, offer to rake, clean up, or do simple repairs the caregiver is unable or doesn’t have the time for. Take the person with dementia out for coffee or to the hairdresser so the caregiver can get things done at home or simply sit and enjoy the quiet. Ask how the caregiver is doing not just the person with the disease. If concerns arise after a visit with family over the holidays, start by talking with siblings. If it’s possible, try and get consensus about what everyone experienced to see if concerns are shared. If there are conflicting opinions, the Alzheimer’s Association can help sort things out. Additionally scheduling a visit with mom or dad’s family doctor to talk together about concerns might be helpful. There might be medication interactions or vitamin B deficiencies that are contributing to memory issues without signs of dementia so ruling out what might be causing concerns is the best first step. Suggesting a visit to the doctor’s office could actually put mom or dad’s own mind at ease as there are bound to be concerns they haven’t shared with family and friends. While the holidays should be a time of celebration and being together with friends and family, a little planning ahead may help relieve stress and anxiety for everyone, especially for the person who is seeing things slowly change as the disease progresses. For more tips and support contact

As people conduct their holiday travel this year, planning and completing a long-distance trip can be very stressful for the more than 230,000 Illinois residents currently living with Alzheimer’s and their families. While the symptoms of this progressive brain disease can sometimes make travel more difficult, it doesn’t mean families can’t travel with a loved one with dementia and participate in holiday festivities. The Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter offers a number of easy tips to help ensure a safe and smooth trip when traveling with a person living with dementia. General travel considerations Stick with the familiar: Travel to known destinations. Try to visit places that are familiar. Be prepared: Create an itinerary that includes details. Give copies to family members or friends. Keep a copy with you. Pick the right time: Travel during the time of day that is best for the person with Alzheimer’s. Avoid layovers: If unavoidable, ask about airport escort services. Ask for help: For example, request airline personnel to help you navigate through the airport. Find local support: Before you go, contact the Alzheimer’s Association chapter at your destination. Documents to take with you when traveling Doctors’ names and contact information A list of current medications and dosages Phone numbers and addresses of the local police and fire departments, hospitals and poison control A list of food or drug allergies Copies of legal papers (living will, advanced directives, power of attorney, etc.) Names and contact information of friends and family members to call in case of an emergency Insurance information (policy number, member name) Traveling alone with dementia Some individuals in the early stage of Alzheimer’s who remain independent may be able to travel alone, but planning ahead is necessary. Consider the following: When booking flights, inquire if the airline offers a “meet-and-greet” service to escort passengers through security and to their gate terminal. This service may also be used to help passengers transfer between connecting flights. Inquire about any other services that would offer companion support to meet the safety needs of the passenger. Include all emergency contacts on the airline reservation. Contact TSA to determine if a pass can be issued to family members or friends to escort the passenger through security to their gate terminal. Make sure that all travel documents and identification are readily accessible. It may be helpful for the person to wear a document holder.

By Sabina A. Sewillo CFP® We know the numbers all too well – 5.8 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, a figure that is expected to reach 14 million by the year 2050 [i] . Furthermore, 16.2 million family members and other unpaid caregivers across the country provided an estimated $233.9 billion in care to those afflicted with Alzheimer’s in 2018 [ii] . While a diagnosis often brings a myriad of complex challenges for the entire family, money management is one area that can be easily overlooked. As a certified financial planner, it is part of my job to ensure patients and caregivers alike know how to handle difficult circumstances. Here are a few tips: Have a conversation: Many families struggle to discuss Alzheimer’s and dementia, even after a diagnosis. Once some of the initial shock wears off, consider having an open and honest family conversation [iii] . Start by discussing short, medium and long-term goals and financial objectives over the next several years. The dialogue should also encompass everything from debt and investment plans to future charitable intentions. Although it is difficult, having a proactive conversation enables the afflicted party to have a more tangible say in their financial future before cognitive decline advances. Organize and review important documents: Soon after a diagnosis, it is essential that all important legal and financial documents are organized and compiled into one easily accessible location [iv] . Make sure to include usernames, password/pin information as well. Ensure estate plans, beneficiary designations, insurance policies and end-of-life documents are updated and reflective of the current health situation. Tackling these administrative tasks early will help to alleviate some of the financial burden moving forward, while also providing a critical roadmap for caregivers. Implement safeguards: Alzheimer’s patients are generally more vulnerable to both financial mistakes and fraud. Therefore, it is important to proactively implement some easy safeguards in the early phases. For example, an adult child may be able to help with paying bills or balancing the checkbook. Other common tactics include replacing credit cards with cash and reviewing bank statements and credit reports more often than usual. I generally recommend a measured approach with assistance. That way the afflicted party does not feel as if he or she is losing their independence and dignity all at once. Establish a takeover plan: Symptoms will eventually progress to a point where once simple financial decisions become impossible and a caregiver will have to assume full control. This is often carried out legally through a durable Power of Attorney (POA), where a person authorizes a third-party (agent or proxy) to make decisions on his or her behalf [v] . For example, a durable POA would enable an adult child to continue investing, handling transactions and paying taxes on behalf of someone who is either incapacitated or no longer of sound mind. It is critical that a “takeover plan” is well thought out and agreed upon ahead of time, as the person who will eventually assume decision-making authority should begin playing an active role well before a POA would kick in. Other documents to consider with legal advice are Wills and a Living Trust. Though only one facet of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, a proactive approach to money management can truly help to make an already challenging situation just a little more manageable. Sabina Sewillo is a Family Wealth Advisor, Vice President and Financial Advisor with the Wealth Management Division of Morgan Stanley in Chicago. The information contained in this column is not a solicitation to purchase or sell investments. Any information presented is general in nature and not intended to provide individually tailored investment advice. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be suitable for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives. Investing involves risks and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest. The views expressed herein are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, or its affiliates. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC, member SIPC. [i] https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures [ii] https://www.alz.org/media/documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures-2019-r.pdf iii] https://www.alz.org/national/documents/brochure_moneymatters.pdf [iv] https://www.alz.org/national/documents/brochure_moneymatters.pdf [v] https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/legal-and-financial-planning-people-alzheimers