SPEAKER

Rosalyn Reese with the Alzheimer's Association was our speaker on Monday. After the spotlight put on this disease at the Oscars Sunday, it was great to get a followup that reminds us that Alzheimer's is all around us, and affects virtually every family in the nation.

Some highlights of Rosalyn's presentation:

*The biggest change in recent years has been the recognition that Alzheimer and other forms of dementia are not just unavoidable signs of getting older. It is a sign that something is wrong, and needs treatment.
*The Alzheimer's Association has been around since 1980. Its vision is a world without Alzheimers. Unfortunately, there is not cure now, but that is the hope.
*There is much more recognition of the presence of the disease in our society. We are living longer, so the chances of the disease surfacing are greater. We are also much better at recognizing and diagnosing it for what it is.
*There are other kinds of dementia, but Alzheimers is the most common. It is a disease of the brain, not a mental health issue. Some other kinds of medical conditions, such as kidney disease, can mimic aspects of Alzhemers. It is therefore important to get a diagnosis, but many of those diseases have cures.
*Rosalyn ran through the 10 early warning signs of Alzheimer's. You can go the the Alzheimer's Association website (alz.org/co) to get a list.
*Our life choices can affect whether we get the disease. Smoking greatly increases the risk, whereas healthy diet, exercise and keeping our brains active, greatly reduce the chances.

After the meeting, Rosalyn sent the following email to PP Clay Fell:

Hello Clay,

Thank you again for the opportunity to present yesterday. What a great group all of you are. I enjoyed meeting you all.

Please share the attached flier with your club. A couple of members expressed interest. One of my co-workers, Amy Miller, Family Services Director and I will present on Healthy Habits on Saturday, March 7th from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the History Colorado Museum, 1200 Broadway St., Denver. (Ed.-the flyer contained the information in this paragraph.)

The History Colorado Center has a $12 admission fee for adults, $10 for seniors 65 years and older, and free membership if you are a History Colorado Museum member. The Alzheimer's Association is a community partner, so the museum has $2 off discount tickets for March 7th for anyone attending our program at 11:00 a.m. Just ask for a $2 off coupon at the door. Basically, the admission will also be good to visit their new "1968 Exhibit." See the ad below for more information regarding the exhibit.

Please call or email me if you have any questions about the program. It is okay to give my work number of 303-813-1669 to the members or anyone needing information about our programs and services can call our 24/7 helpline at 800-272-3900. Keep me in mind for future presentations. We have various topics related to memory loss.

Take care,

Rosalyn