It's Time Again

At one time I worked as a CNA in a nursing home. After I injured my back, I had to walk away from the job I loved so much. I miss it. Many reasons a loved one is placed
in a nursing home is because of a disease known as Alzheimer's. Remember the movie, "The Notebook?" A perfect example. If you haven't seen the movie, I highly recommend that you do. Then, if that doesn't get to you, it may very well be a lost cause for you. For most of us however, Alzheimer's Disease hits us close to home.



I was very lucky that my grandparents did not suffer in that way. Yet, I wonder will I? Even now I find myself forgetting things very easily. It worries me. Yes, I know all about the herb St. John's Wort and how it may be able to help with Memory Loss, but I have enough trouble remember to take my daily vitamin. I think however, my memory loss maybe from the stress that has found its way in my life. In the mean time, maybe I should join something like the Alzheimer's Memory Walk?

After all, it's for a good cause. And besides, a 2-3 mile walk is pretty darn easy for me. Or it used to be. I used to walk 3 miles one way and another 3 miles back when I was working at Independence, Kansas's Microtel. It's not easy, but it can be done! So, why not? Why not join a great cause. Become a part of something spectacular and feel good doing it!

Raising Alzheimer's Awareness

As many of you may already know, this isn't my first post about Alzheimer's awareness. A while back I wrote about walking for Alzheimer's. It's a cause I am passionate about.

I worked as a CNA for nearly 2 years before a back injury caused me to set my love for nursing and caring for elderly people aside. If you have ever been a nurse or you've been able to be around our elderly generation, then you know how special they truly are.

I loved hearing the stories of their past! It was as if I was truly living history right along with them! Nothing beats hearing a live story about history verses reading about it in a text book.

It saddens me that so many of our elderly are now facing Alzheimer's. Last Friday at the store my husband pointed out an elderly lady who had stopped in the middle of an isle and looked lost for a moment. I wondered if she had the beginning of Alzheimer's. I worried. What if she wanders off somewhere and cannot find her way home. What if she has no family to worry about her.

She is the reason why it is very important to have a memory screening done for Alzheimer's. It's very important!

While I understand that it is difficult to care for someone with Alzheimer's, it's not a curse or a reason to ignore or fear.

If you're unfamiliar with the facts about Alzheimer's, please feel free to visit the Alzheimer's Foundation of America website where you can find more information about Alzheimer's, including: "successful aging tips."

While you are there, please consider making a holiday gift of a contribution for Alzheimer's. It's important that we find a cure. Without it, our loved one's memories may be lost forever and I don't want to see that happen! I love learning about our history through our elderly! Don't you??

Walking For Alzheimer's Disease

When I was still working as a CNA in nursing homes, I was around many elderly people who had Alzheimer's Disease. There was one lady in particular who would roam the halls and forget where her room was or forget whether she was wearing a sweater or not, that day. Her name was Helen.

Every time I saw Helen roaming, I would stop to visit with her and then assist her to her room or gently remind her that she didn't bring her sweater today. A few hours later she would be roaming the hallways again and I would repeat my visit with her all over again.

While I enjoyed visiting with Helen, it saddened me that she would forget who I was even though we'd visited with one another a few hours prior. It also saddened me that she would not be able to remember her past and cherish the wonderful memories of her life. She would not know her loved ones or be able to talk about old times with them.

Helen passed away a few months after I left the nursing home, but my sadness still remains. While many people are aware of Alzheimer's Disease, they may not be aware that someone out there is willing to do something about the disease. That someone is the Alzheimer's Association and their Memory Walk Program.

Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk is helping to raise awareness and the funds to help fight Alzheimer's Disease. The funds for this walk will also help for care of loved ones with Alzheimer's as well. Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk is asking volunteers of all ages to become a part of the fight for Alzheimer's Disease by starting or joining a team and walking for a purpose.

Through their website you can find information on how to join or start a team. You can also volunteer in other ways if you're unable to join the walk. If you're not sure whether a team has been started in your area, you can type in your zip code and do a search that is provided on the main page of their website.

If there is not a team in your area, why not start one? While you don't need to be a team captain to walk, becoming a team captain is a great start to help in the fight for a cure for Alzheimer's Disease. It's a great way for your to make sure that friends and family are aware of what is going on.

Consider this in volunteering as a team captain:

If you live in a small town like I do, you can change things for loved ones like, Helen.

Make businesses aware of this disease by asking for donations and having them post flyers in their windows.

Talk to friends and family and have them help in your quest by walking with you or donating to this great cause.

Let the local newspaper and radio station know of your cause and see if they will print an article about the walk or announce it on the air.

Talk to nursing homes and get them involved!

The above are just a few ways you can help as a team captain. In the end it's a positive experience knowing that you are a big part of this cause. For me this is a great cause that I want to be a part of. Won't you join me with the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk in this fight and help loved ones remember?

Become a Team Captain and change a life.