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DECEMBER, 2012
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e-newsletter
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The Compassion To Care, The Leadership To Conquer
The Alzheimer's journey is a long one, with many twists and turns. The Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter has been here as a strong, passionate, and committed resource for nearly 30 years and with your support we intend to stay committed until the vision of a world without Alzheimer's is attained.
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Celebrate the Holidays - Give A Gift That Will Go Twice As Far
in the Fight Against Alzheimer's
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Challenge Match Founders
Kay and Peter Lettenberger with
Fred Ruekert (center)
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Kay and Peter Lettenberger have been Champions for the Alzheimer's Association for many years. These long-time friends who each lost a spouse to the disease, found a wonderful new life together as husband and wife. Kay's brother-in-law, Fred Ruekert, currently struggles with Alzheimer's. A strong desire to make a significant and lasting contribution to the mission led Kay and Peter, along with the Lettenberger/Pierson families, to be the founding members of the Challenge Match for Alzheimer's Support.
Donate today to the Challenge Match for Alzheimer's Support!
This is a unique opportunity for you to make a difference! Make a gift today and your tax-deductible donation of $50 can double in value and become $100. A gift of $100 can become $200. Any amount you give can be worth twice as much in the fight against Alzheimer's disease.
It's easy to donate - simply call the Alzheimer's Association at 414.479.8800 or email MaryAnn Vance at mvance@alz.org All new and increased gifts will be matched!
Rise to the Challenge!
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Today's Courage, Tomorrow's Hope
~Stories from the Alzheimer's Journey ~
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(left to right) Dan Johnson, Barbara Johnson, Julie Malson, Joe Malson, Kelly Johnson,
Michael Johnson, Ian Johnson
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Barbara Johnson was in the middle of helping her daughter Julie plan her wedding. It was a special time for both women - months filled with wonderful memories, bridal showers, reception planning and shopping for the perfect wedding dress.
But it was also a time when husband Dan and other family members noticed marked changes in Barbara's ability to remember details and organize her life.
After much soul searching and an Alzheimer's diagnosis, Barbara Johnson has realized that Life is all about how you handle Plan B.
Read her story here. And read Barb's continuing thoughts about living with Alzheimer's each month in her personal blog called Barb's Buzz.
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Challenging Behaviors Task Force Concludes Year Two with Interactive Summit
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We All Hold The Keys
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On November 1st, more than 150 people from all disciplines and perspectives arrived at the Medical College of Wisconsin to take part in a day-long interactive Summit convened by the Alzheimer's Challenging Behaviors Task Force, which is led by our chapter. The room was filled with physicians, lawyers, nurses, discharge planners, family caregivers, state and county human service personnel, advocates, legislative staff, and public and private long-term care providers.
One issue united the diverse Summit attendees: the desire to improve care, support and treatment outcomes for people with dementia who experience difficult behaviors - behaviors that are challenging to everyone who cares about people with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.The Summit represented the culmination of almost two years of work conducted by the Task Force.
In mid- December, the Task Force will release it's second report, We All Hold The Keys, which will include full work group reports, resources, success stories, data, case studies and recommendations.
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Barb's Buzz
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Barb Johnson
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A blog written by a journalist living with early stage Alzheimer's disease
Keep Your Traditions - Just Make it Simpler
As the holidays approach,
I anticipate accomplishing my traditions.
Included in my list is decorating the inside and outside of the house, baking everyone's favorite cookies and the Advent calendars.
When my adult children were little kids, I made each one an advent calendar made of felt in the shape of a stocking. The front of it was a calendar with all the days of December. I made felt ornaments to snap on over each day as the days went by. I filled the bag calendar with small gifts, like a piece of candy, a small ornament, or a Christmas card to send to a friend. Each gift was attached with a piece of felt in the shape of a candy cane, holly, santa hat etc. The piece of felt would snap or velcro would be placed over the number of that day.
This year my daughter-in-law asked if I would carry on this tradition for my grandsons. Something special from "GranB". "Yes," I replied. How meaningful it would be to carry on this tradition, I thought. I said "Yes" in this year of Alzheimer's, although I am making it simpler for this generation using large paper Christmas shopping bags from the Dollar Store and sticky notes to write the numbers on and holiday stickers to mark the dates past.
My message here is carry on your traditions as long as you can. Just make it easier.
Bake your favorite cookies, just less of them or buy them from a bakery.
Keep it simple and enjoy the festivities of the season.
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Holiday Shopping - Wrap It Up For The Cause!
Having a hard time figuring out what to get for your loved ones for the holidays? Why not surprise them with Alzheimer's Association gear! Not only will you be buying them something they will love, you will be supporting a great cause!
Sweatshirts, blankets, hats, bags, and water bottles are available at great prices!
Sweatshirt: S-XL / $22 XXL / $26
Hat: $10
Blanket $20
Bag $8
Water Bottle $6
Order early to ensure availability!

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The ABC's of Why People Call 800.272.3900
I - in-home care, incontinence, intimacy-sexuality
J - juggling responsibilities, just to talk
K - know the ten signs
L - long distance caregiving, legal & financial information
M - medication management, mild cognitive impairment
N - nutrition-eating issues, nursing homes
O - overwhelmed, ombudsman
P - pain, palliative care, power of attorney, prevention-risk reduction
Over the next few months we'll continue to spotlight the ABC's of why people turn to the Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline for care and support. Click here to access the full list of reasons.
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Alzheimer's Association Welcomes New Board President and Four New Members
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(left) Ellen Dizard and Beth Meyer-Arnold
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Ellen Dizard, Senior Labor and Employment Attorney, ManpowerGroup was welcomed as the new Board President of the Alzheimer's Association, Southeastern Wisconsin chapter, at its 29th Annual Meeting, hosted at Luther Manor on Monday, November 12th. Dizard replaces Beth Meyer-Arnold, Director of Adult Day Services at Luther Manor, who served as Board President for two years. The Chapter would like to thank Beth, who will remain on the board, for her continuing and exemplary years of service. We would also like to welcome these new members to the board:
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(left) Maria Monreal-Cameron, David B. Schulz and Kathleen M. Pertl
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- Brian Henning, J.D., Director of Competitive Intelligence, Northwestern Mutual
- Kathleen M. Pertl, Senior Vice President, The Private Client Reserve
- Maria Monreal-Cameron, President and CEO, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin
- David B. Schulz, Shareholder, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C.
View the Chapter's new annual report, "Pushing Boundaries Together" on our website.
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Subaru is Sharing The Love with the Alzheimer's Association
This Holiday Season
The Alzheimer's Association is excited to be one of five charities participating in the Subaru "Share the Love" event. For every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased from Nov. 21, 2012 to Jan. 2, 2013, Subaru will donate $250 to the owner's choice of one of five participating charities. We encourage you to select the Alzheimer's Association!
In addition, Subaru dealerships will have an opportunity to engage their communities in learning about Alzheimer's, the 10 Warning Signs of the disease and the importance of early detection.
The Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter recently held awareness events at two metro Subaru dealerships We want to thank Mike Schlossmann and Steve Claflin at Subaru City of Milwaukee (4640 S 27th St.) and John Scudder at Wilde Subaru, (1710 Highway 164) in Waukesha for welcoming us and supporting the Alzheimer's Association mission!
For more information on the Subaru Share the Love event click here
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Marquette University Hosts "We Back Pat" Night
 | Pat Summitt |
Join the Marquette University basketball community for a special evening honoring legendary Tennessee Lady Volunteers head coach emeritus Pat Summitt on Saturday, December 15th at the Al McGuire Center, 770 North 12th Street, in Milwaukee. Tickets for the game are $5 or $10 reserved. Or buy a t-shirt (value $15) and get a ticket to the game. Wrist bands benefiting the Pat Summitt Foundation will also be on sale. .
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Coming Up - Alzheimer's Association Classes
- a 6 week course providing clinical-level training for family caregivers
- $30 workshop fee includes caregiver manual and CD
Every Tuesday from January 8 through February 12
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Alzheimer's Association
620 S. 76th Street, Suite 620 - Milwaukee
Registration required - contact Krista Scheel at 414.479.8800
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Legal and Financial Planning for Alzheimer's
- a two part program designed to help those affected with dementia, their care partners and family members to better understand the legal and financial issues that may impact them
January 24 and 31
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Alzheimer's Association
620 S. 76th Street, Suite 620 - Milwaukee
Registration required - contact Krista Scheel at 414.479.8800
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Alzheimer's Staffers Share Holiday Tips
on Wisconsin Public Radio's Ideas Network
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(left) Lynda Markut, Ben Merens and Diane Baughn
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In November, Alzheimer's Association staffers Diane Baughn and Lynda Markut appeared on "At Issue with Ben Merens" for an hour long radio discussion and call-in about Alzheimer's disease and best practices for approaching the holiday season.
In 2012, Merens, a long-time friend of the Alzheimer's Association Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter, received the Special Service Award at the 26th Annual Wisconsin Network Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias. The award recognizes individuals who have made unique contributions in the field of Alzheimer's disease care and treatment.
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Santa Supports the Walk to End Alzheimer's - You Can Too!
Want to avoid the long lines, cold weather, and congested parking lots to get your holiday shopping done? Why not consider making a donation to the Alzheimer's Association on behalf of friends, family, and/or co-workers this year? Your donation can be made from the comfort of your own home and is tax deductible. In recognition of your gift, you can choose to have a notification card sent indicating a donation has been made on their behalf. Any donation over $100 receives an official Walk to End Alzheimer's t-shirt!
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Education, Programs, and Support
We are offering numerous education programs, conferences and support groups for caregivers in the next months. To view our education calendar which features a complete listing of the programs offered in your community, click here. For a listing of caregiver support groups, click here.
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Follow Us on Facebook, Twitter and Linked-In
Tell your friends that you're a part of one of the fastest growing movements in the country - the fight to end Alzheimer's. With your help, we can increase awareness about Alzheimer's disease. Click the icons below to start!

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