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JANUARY, 2013
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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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Donate today to the Challenge Match for Alzheimer's Support!
The Alzheimer's Association, Southeastern Wisconsin chapter is grateful for a wonderful group of donors and friends who have stepped forward by pledging to match and double new and increased gifts made to the Alzheimer's Association up to a total of $200,000!
This Powerful Match Allows Us to Reach More Individuals 
The need for services is growing. In 2011-2012 our professional program staff of thirteen and a team of invaluable volunteers provided 33,711 points of service - an 11% increase over the previous fiscal year. We have found that even in tough economic times, the need for services continues to grow.
This is How You Can Help!
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.
For more information 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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Mardi Gras Gala - Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler!
The Good Times will Roll on February 12  The Milwaukee Art Museum is the place to be on Fat Tuesday, February 12th for the Alzheimer's Association Mardi Gras Gala! Guests will sip Mardi Gras Martinis while leisurely strolling the silent auction that artistically lines "Bourbon Street". Document your New Orleans night in our photo booth, enjoy a Mardi Gras inspired gourmet dinner, and help raise money for the Alzheimer's Association!
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Bonnie Blair, Honorary Chair
2013 Mardi Gras Gala
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The Honorary Chair of the Mardi Gras Gala is Olympic Gold Medalist,
Bonnie Blair!
We are anticipating a sellout crowd (for the third year in a row) so if you are interested in being a sponsor, purchasing a table and/or tickets, or donating an item to our auction, please contact Special Events Manager, Kendra Albers (kalbers@alz.org).
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Today's Courage, Tomorrow's Hope
~Stories from the Alzheimer's Journey ~
Bonnie Blair is one of the most decorated female athlete's in Olympic history.
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Eleanor and Bonnie Blair at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway
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She competed in four Olympic games and won five gold medals and one bronze. What you might not know about Bonnie, is that she is the youngest child in a family of speed skaters, reared in Champaign, Illinois by her very proud mother, Eleanor.
The other thing you might not know is that Eleanor Blair, in her older years, struggled with dementia. Click here to read Bonnie's personal story of why she is an Alzheimer's Champion.
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Join Us in January for Gallery Night 
Art in Unexpected Places
View more than 30 works of art from the Memories in the Making program during Gallery Night and Day in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward!
Friday, January 18 - 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 19 - 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Translator
415 E. Menomonee Street
Milwaukee
Translator is a brand design agency and idea lab located in Milwaukee's Third Ward. Refreshments will be provided courtesy of Milwaukee Brewing Company. Special thanks to both of these fine businesses for their participation in Gallery Night.
2012 WAMI Award Winner Nora Collins
to Entertain on Friday Night from 7:00 - 9:00! 
In addition to being named a "Rising Star" by the Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) in 2012, local country musician Nora Collins was named "Breaking Out Artist of the Week" by The Country Network in December.
Come to Translator for Art in Unexpected Places on Friday, January 18 and hear Nora perform for us from 7-9 p.m.! We are honored to host such a remarkably talented young woman.
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IRA Distributions - The Time to Give is NOW!
The American Taxpayer Relief Act passed on January 1 includes a special IRA charitable rollover provision. IRA owners who are over age 70½ and received a December distribution from their IRA custodian qualify for a special option. If the IRA owner makes a cash gift in January, he or she may elect a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) for December in the amount of that cash gift. This gift amount may be up to $100,000.
Those IRA owners who qualify and received a December distribution followed by a January cash gift may substantially reduce their 2012 taxes. The gift does not qualify for a charitable income tax deduction, but the amount of the QCD will not be taxed in 2012. Because that amount is excluded from income, it will lower taxes for many donors. The gift must be completed by January 31, 2013.
Please contact your financial advisor for more information. Your support makes a difference!
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Register Now for Wisconsin Advocacy Day - March 5
Let Your Voice Be Heard 
The number of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and dementia is on the rise. So it is more important than ever that our Wisconsin state legislators hear about the growing Alzheimer's epidemic!
Join us on Wisconsin Advocacy Day, March 5, and become educated about the issues, learn new skills, network with fellow advocates and take our message to the State Capitol.
Location: Capitol Lakes Retirement Center - 333 W. Main Street - Madison
9:30 a.m. - Advocate Training
11:30 a.m. - Lunch (provided)
12:15 p.m. - Legislative Visits
Attendees will be responsible for transportation to Madison. If you are looking for a car pool or are available to drive, please let us know when you register. Registration is due by Friday, March 1. To register contact Paul Golueke at 800.272.3900 or pgolueke@alz.org
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A Big Thanks to local Subaru dealers for "Sharing The Love" 
Applause! Applause! - to two local Subaru dealers for hosting a "Share The Love" event at their dealerships during the holiday season.
For every new car sold from November 21 through January 2nd, Subaru of America donated $250 to one of five national charities designated by the vehicle's buyer. The Alzheimer's Association was most privileged to be one of the five charitable beneficiaries.
Special thanks to Mike Schlossmann and Steve Claflin at Subaru City of Milwaukee for hosting an event on Saturday, December 1st. And kudos also go out to John Scudder at Wilde Subaru in Waukesha for welcoming us to their dealership on Saturday, December 8th. This was an incredible opportunity to not only raise much needed charitable dollars for our organization, but also to bring increased awareness to Alzheimer's disease and the services we provide! Special thanks to Development Director, MaryAnn Vance for spearheading this project during the busy holiday season. She made many new friends during these events and heard heartwarming stories of those impacted by the disease.
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Tax Breaks for Caregivers 
The cost of caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or another chronic illness can be devastating. But according to experts at Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine you may be able to defray part of the expense by employing certain tax-saving strategies or write-offs. Tax breaks may be available to the person with the medical condition or to a family member who assumes the financial burden of care. Check it out here.
And if you have questions or need more assistance, please remember to consult your tax preparer or financial specialist.
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The ABC's of Why People Call 800.272.3900 
Q -quality of facilities, quality care
R - respite, repetitive questions, research,
S - sleeping changes, support groups, safety, sexuality
T - taxes, traveling, toileting changes, training, treatment
U - urinary tract infection, understanding dementia
V - vacation, visiting
W -wandering, ways to spend time
X - x-treme emotional distress
Y - younger onset
Z - zero assistance
Please call our 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900 if you have questions or just need to talk. If you'd like to see the full list of reasons that people reach out and call the Helpline, please Click here
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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
Fond du Lac area
Every Monday from February 11 through March 18
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Aging & Disability Resource Center
50 N. Portland Street, - Fond du Lac
Registration required - contact Ginny Nyhuis at 920.838.1311
Waukesha County area
Every Tuesday from February 19 through March 26
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Aging & Disability Resource Center
500 Riverview Ave, - Waukesha
Registration required - contact Krista Scheel at 414.479.8800
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Living with Moderate Alzheimer's Disease 
- a three part program for caregivers of individuals with moderate Alzheimer's disease
- topics for discussion include understanding symptoms and care needs, relationship changes, maximizing safety, and obtaining respite care.
Thursday February 21 and 28 & March 7
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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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
The Pack Rat
My kids have given me this name.
However, consider the amount of years that I have been around, accumulating.
65 years. And married 41 years. Accumulated stuff of my own.
Then add another person. Then add two kids. A daughter-in-law. A son-in-law.
A mother-in-law. Two grandchildren.
We have toys at our house that the grandchildren can play with during their visits with us. Our adult kids ask "Can you store this at your house for me mom?" And our parents that down-sized and passed away, left us with their treasures. "One man's junk is another man's treasure" as the saying goes.
I must clarify that I do not consider myself a "Hoarder". I learned re-cycling at an early age. Precious memoirs or just one more thing to have to find a use and place for? I will explain myself. I grew up learning and appreciating recycling from my creative parents. For example, I learned to make gift tags from greeting cards. Cut to gift tag size and punch a hole in the corner. Sign to and From on the back. Run a piece of ribbon, often times the curly variety and attach to the gift. I will keep this recycling idea because I love the way these gift tags look. And what is wrong with recycling pretty greeting cards?
The gift tags take up very little space. Store them in a small card box. I also recycle gift ribbon, bows and wrap.
And then there are shelves loaded with books from my childhood.including text books from college courses. Fiction, the classics, kids books, Bibles, Bible studies, Music CD's and movies.
I come from a generation of artists and treasure my collection of art. My father and my uncle were professional Commercial artists. My daughter and I are hobby artists. I have a large collection of art hanging on the walls. I have given some away. I also have a closet full. I rotate the artwork.
Accumulating things is one of the easiest things to do. Included in the mix are so-called "family heirlooms" that were more important to the original owner than a younger relative. Parents down size.
Kids move away and do not have storage space. Relatives pass on and leave something special for you to keep for memory sake.
Whoa! All of a sudden, you feel so encumbered by stuff. It's time to down size. Keep things simple.
Less complicated. Time to clear out.
Step one. Find an Antique shop or a retail shop that might take things on consignment so that you might receive some money in return to put toward travel. Donate to services that help the needy such as Good Will Industries, Saint Vincent DePaul, Inner City or church resale shops.
I dreaded thinking about this time in my life. And now it is upon me.
O.K. I am sharing my thoughts with you on how to simplify your lives so you and I do not feel so overwhelmed and encumbered with "things". It just adds to the confusion and frustration. Fewer possessions give us more time to relax and enjoy each day.
My New Year resolution is to try to keep life simple.
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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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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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