Sept 11 header
December, 2015
e-newsletter  
The Brains Behind Saving Yours

 

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 over 30 years and with your support we intend to stay committed until the vision of a world without Alzheimer's is attained.

A Reassuring Voice and Helpful Ideas are Available 24/7 
for Families Dealing with Dementia During the Holiday Season

Holidays can be challenging for families.  The Alzheimer's Association is there to support persons with dementia, their caregivers, extended families and friends with tips and advice available 24/7 to make the season an enjoyable one for all.

The 24/7 Helpline is staffed by professionals around-the-clock who can offer assistance on a variety of topics.  In fact, every year, the Alzheimer's Association sees a rise in calls to its 24/7 Helpline, 800.272.3900, during and after the holiday season. For many, this is a time when people return home and visit with friends and family whom they may not see as frequently during the year. The Alzheimer's Association encourages anyone to call the 24/7 Helpline if they have a question or doubt about the state of an aging family member or friend.

Caregivers may also become over-burdened during this busy season, and the 24/7 Helpline can offer suggestions and tips to make the holidays easier and more memorable.  For additional information on planning for the holidays and adjusting expectations, visit the caregiver center
 
"We Are Stronger Together" sets the theme for the Alzheimer's Association's Annual Meeting on November 19
 

More than 100 individuals attended the chapter's 32nd Annual Meeting at the Italian Conference Center on Thursday, November 19.  The evening was a tribute to everyone involved in bringing successful outcomes to our mission - donors, program partners, volunteers, researchers, collaborators, advocates and Alzheimer's families.

New board members recognized at the event were Phillip Mattix, Senior Vice President for Credit Administration at Associated Bank and James Tarrantino, Founder and Principal of Tarantino & Company, LLC, and the Tarantino Family of Companies which includes Capri Senior Communities. Departing board members who were recognized for their years of diligent service include Al Castro, Lyn Geboy, and Ellen Dizard.

The evening also gave the chapter the chance to acknowledge the following individuals for their service and contributions:

Investigator of the Year
Merav Sabri, PhDAssistant Professor, Neurology at the Medical College of Wisconsin - Milwaukee 

Practitioner of the Year
Marge Hendrickson, RN, Transitions of Care Nurse, Geriatric Resource Nurse at Aurora West Allis Medical Center

Friend - Unsung Heroes of the Association
Martin and Elaine Schreiber of Milwaukee

Caregiver of the Year
Julie Grassel of Brookfield

View a copy of our new Annual Report


Arty Party - A Gallery Night to Remember 
Local fine artist Emmanuel Fritz  amazed donors with a 
live paint during Arty Party

The chapter held a wonderful friend making and fundraising evening at Cuvee Champagne Celebrations on November 5 to celebrate the Memories in the Making program. Over 140 people attended Arty Party - 2015, a one of a kind gallery evening and art auction. A special thank you goes to all the professional artists who contributed to this successful event. And also a big shout-out of gratitude goes to Pamela Anderson, Emmanuel Fritz and Todd Mrozinski who donated their time and talents as our live painters! We raised over $25,000 which directly helps individuals and families coping with dementia and Alzheimer's disease to find answers and strength through the services we provide. 

You can access all the wonderful photos of the event taken by Rosie Hartmann in our Facebook Gallery
 
Participants Go "Back in the Saddle" at Recent Memory Cafe 
Michael Markut, a collector of western memorabilia, leads the Cowboy Memory Cafe at Panera in Brookfield

Back in the day, Roy Rogers was everyone's image of what a cowboy should be, from his white Stetson to the golden palomino stallion he proudly rode.  Participants at a recent cowboy-themed memory cafe got a chance to revisit their childhood memories of growing up in an era where everybody's hero rode a horse, and movie stars sang songs with lyrics like "I'm an old cowhand, from the Rio Grande." 

Read about their fantastic day at the Cowboy Memory Cafe here
Barb's Got the Buzz - Relax and Enjoy the Holidays

Barbara Cheek Johnson is a journalist living with early-stage Alzheimer's disease. In her newest blog, Barb talks about the upcoming holiday season and the importance of taking time to enjoy each precious moment.

 

Read Barb's insightful and heartfelt thoughts on everything from snow men to children's smiles to holiday cookies in her blog


 

 

MPTV "Moments" Feature Alzheimer's Disease Topics of Interest
Tom Hlavacek on the set for 
MPTV Moments.

In late October, Tom Hlavacek, Executive Director, and Krista Scheel, Program Director had the opportunity to videotape segments on Alzheimer's disease for Milwaukee Public Television.  The segments are now finished and are currently airing on MPTV as short-form videos in and around regular programs. The videos are also featured on MPTV's "Next Avenue" website. Segment topics include:
 

These informative segments will also be shared with public television stations around the country. Please watch them and share them with colleagues.  We are extremely proud to have been selected by Milwaukee Public Television for this wonderful awareness opportunity!  Our special thanks goes out to the Helen Bader Daniels Fund for providing funding for the entire Next Avenue Moments project.
First Regional Dementia Conference was held in November in Dodge and Jefferson Counties 

The Alzheimer's Association, in partnership with the Dodge and Jefferson County ADRC's, held its first ever Dodge and Jefferson Counties Regional Dementia Conference on November 6th at Comfort Suites in Johnson Creek.  90 individuals attended the event, including family and professional caregivers.  

The title for this year's conference was Building a Strong Foundation as many of the sessions addressed the topic of becoming a dementia-friendly region.  The conference featured a presentation by Betty Lefebvre-Hill and Beth Belmore from the Fox Valley Memory Project, the first dementia-friendly community in the State of Wisconsin.  Other presentations included Dr. Diane Mosnik, neuropsychologist, who spoke about alternative treatments for dementia. Lynda Markut, Alzheimer's Association, addressed the issues of intimacy and sexuality in dementia care and there was also a program on Creating, Building and Celebrating Community Through Rhythm by Tom Gill.  After lunch attendees were invited to discuss what is needed in Dodge and Jefferson Counties to help make it a dementia-friendly region.  The ideas shared will be provided to the local dementia networks as they take action to achieve this goal.  In closing all attendees participated in a training session which gave them the title of becoming a Dementia Community Friend.  One gentleman remarked, "This was the first event I have attended and gives me hope and support for what I face in the future as caregiver for my spouse."  

We want to express our sincere thanks to the major sponsors for this year's conference: Nasco, Beaver Dam Community Hospital, Heritage Homes and Rainbow Hospice Care.  

 

Save the Date - May 1-3, 2016
30th Annual Wisconsin Network Conference 
on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias
Kalahari Resort - Wisconsin Dells

Join us May 1-3 for one of the largest and most comprehensive State conferences dedicated to Alzheimer's disease and dementia in the country.  Registration opens February 1, 2016.

Please direct inquiries to Peggy Rynearson at [email protected] or 608.446.4206.  Or visit our conference website. We'll see you in May at the Kahlahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells!

 
Coming Up - Alzheimer's Association Education Programs

Understanding Dementia Younger onset dementia
  • a a two or three session program for friends and family members of those experiencing memory related issues or a recent diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease 
  • offers general information about Alzheimer's disease and related dementia as well as how to better communicate and manage challenging behaviors
Tuesday, January 5, 12, and 19
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Alzheimer's Association
620 S. 76th Street, Suite 160 - Milwaukee
Registration is required - to register contact Deborah Klement at 414.479.8800 or [email protected] 
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Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body:
Tips from the Latest Research

  • Learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement and use hands-on tools to help you incorporate these recommendations into a plan for a healthy lifestyle.
Thursday, January 28
3:00 - 4:30 p.m. 
Family Enrichment Center
885 Badger Circle Roon A/B - Grafton
Registration required - contact Deborah Klement at 414.479.8800 or [email protected]

Education, Support and Social Engagement - At Your Fingertips


Whether you're looking for an Alzheimer's disease or related dementia education program, a support group, or a Memory Cafe, we have it all! Just click a link and access the upcoming opportunities in your area:






 

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Alzheimer's Association | Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter | 24/7 Helpline 800.272.3900 | www.alz.org/sewi