Alzheimer's Association Annual Report

Here in northern Michigan we are one piece of a much larger pie. The National Alzheimer's Association released it's Annual Report for 2009. There is a lot of good stuff in this report, it's worth the read and you can find it here.

Besides the usual "what happened in 2009" stuff, the report also shows how efficiently the organization is using the money you have given. To be clear, 70% of what you donate to our local offices stays right here in northern Michigan to continue to assist and educate families in our area. The other 30% is sent on to the national organization. This is how we are all helping to find the cure.

We hope that 2010 will bring the medical break-through we're all working towards!

Cold Weather is Here

It's time to think about cold weather safety for our seniors. Older adults can lose body heat fast. Thinking ahead can stop problems before they happen. Here are some easy things you can do.

Indoors:

1) Set thermostats at 68 degrees or higher (shut off unused rooms to save on the heat bill)
2) Keep throws or blankets handy, on the back of chairs and the couch
3) Wear layers of clothing, even inside, a t-shirt or long johns will help
4) Wear slippers or shoes

Outdoors:

1) Wear a hat and a scarf, we lose a lot of body heat from our head and neck areas
2) Wear layers of clothing for more insulation
3) Avoid going out on very windy days if possible

Signs of Hypothermia:

1) Cold hands and feet
2) Puffy or swollen face
3) Pale skin
4) Shivering (but if severe, there may be no shivering)
5) Slow or slurred speech
6) Acting sleepy
7) Being angry or confused

If you suspect someone of hypothermia, call 911 right away. Keep in touch with elderly loved ones. With a little vigilance we can avoid problems this winter.

The Memory Walks are almost HERE! There is still time to get involved and still time to donate. The animated icons to the right will get you started. Join the fun! Do something good! Help end Alzheimer's!


Alpena Walk - Saturday, September 19th, 10:00am at Bay View Park

Traverse City Walk - Saturday, September 26th, 9:30am at F&M Park

Gaylord Walk, Swim, Skate - Saturday, November 7th, 8:30am at Otsego Sportsplex

Alpena Memory Walk Team Captain Kick Off

Calling all team captains for the Alpena Walk!
Our Team Captain Kickoff Pizza Party will be:

Monday, Aug 31st, from 5:00pm - 6:30pm
(or whenever you can make it)
at VFW Post 2496 on Connon St. in Alpena

Come and see your fellow team captains, meet the staff, enjoy pizza and salad, and we'll review the Walk to date and details. Bring a couple of teammates, family or friends. Please RSVP the office at 989.356.4087 so we have an accurate count. See you then!

TEENS IN ACTION SPOTTED IN GAYLORD!!!!

Three of Northern Michigan's Alzheimer's Associations TEENS IN ACTION members made the trek from Traverse City to Gaylord to help with the United Way Kick-Off. Kate Teglas, Kelly Send and Kassidy Teglas spent three hours using their artistic talents painting dinosaurs, turtles, horses, dogs, footballs....and the list goes on....on the faces of excited children. These talented young ladies also promoted the Region's Memory Walks and provided education on the Association.

Congratulations to Russ & Leslie Knopp. Russ serves on both the Greater Michigan Chapter Board and the Northern Michigan Regional Advisory Council.

Charity Poker for Alzheimer's

Come and enjoy an evening of fun while supporting the Alzheimer's Association!

The Poker Palace is located in the Thunder Bay Plaza, 2201 US-23 South, (north of Neiman's). The following times and dates will benefit the Alzheimer's Association in Northern Michigan:

Thursday, Aug 13 - 5:00pm
Friday, Aug 14 - 4:00pm
Saturday, Aug 15 - 4:00pm
Sunday, Aug 16 - 5:00pm

You can come and join at any time, Texas Hold'em tournaments start 7:00pm. This is a non-smoking, no alcohol establishment. Come out and support a great cause!

Golf Benefit

Saturday, August 1
4 person golf scramble
River's Edge Golf Course
Werth Road, Alpena

9:00am registration
10:00am shotgun start

continental breakfast
lunch following play
lots of prizes

100% of the proceeds will benefit the Alzheimer's Association in Northern Michigan. Hosted by Memory Walk's Stevens Team, George Stevens, Jr. - captain.

Cost, including lunch, 18 holes and a cart, is $75/per person and $300/per team. Accepting up to 28 teams. Contact the office for more information at 989.356.4087.

TEENS IN ACTION - Youth Volunteers

Teens in Action is a local group of volunteers from area junior high and high schools , who are dedicated to the Alzheimer's Association’s mission to “enhance the quality of living for all persons affected by Alzheimer’s disease…by providing leadership, advocacy and awareness”. This group of remarkable youth have created their own Memory Walk Team and are looking for more kids to join. If you are a teen in junior high or high school and live in the Traverse City area, we would love for you to be a part of our Memory Walk Team and to join us in our mission. Contact Lisa at (231) 929-3804 for more information.

Maintain Your Brain - Thursday, July 23rd

Our own Diane O'Connor is presenting
"Maintain Your Brain"
in a one-hour presentation.

where: Alpena Library, upstairs conference room
when: Thursday, July 23rd, at 7:00pm
cost: donations welcome

This presentation explores what recent research efforts and reports say about maintaining your brain through lifestyle choices and activities. Come and learn what you can do to help "Maintain Your Brain"!

Questions?
989.356.4087 - Alzheimer's Association office

Time for TEAMS!

It's time to get our Memory Walk teams up and running!
(Sorry... I mean 'walking')

Our Memory Walk dates for Northern Michigan are:
Alpena - September 19th
Traverse City - September 26th
Gaylord - November 7th
(and YES! - Gaylord is an indoor event!)

But the Memory Walks aren't for a couple of months. Why are we organizing now?

Great question!

We want to organize now and get the 'work' of the walk out of the way so we can enjoy the day when it arrives. However you raise your Memory Walk team goals is up to you, by planning early, you have time to hold a garage sale, bake sale, BBQ party, card party, or some other event. You may not want to have an event at all, but you still need some time to contact people and businesses to sponsor your team.

Remember, you do not have to physically be at Memory Walk to participate! You can have a virtual team with members from around the world using the walk web pages (links above - click on the walk names). This is a fun way to involve families who are spread out over the globe.

Whatever you do this year to help with Memory Walk is greatly appreciated by the people and families living with Alzheimer's Disease in Northern Michigan. The funds raised through Memory Walk support programs, counseling and materials they rely on for assistance in managing their ever changing walk with Alzheimer's. Thank you!

We Appreciate Your Help

The Michigan Senate is positioned to cut nearly $400,000 for Alzheimer’s programs from the State budget. This will severely impact the programs and services we now offer here in northern Michigan.

Senator Tony Stamas, District 36, and Representative Andy Newmann, District 106, are part of the decision making process in Lansing. They can influence the outcome of the nearly $400,000 budget line items.

Please call them today with this short message: “Do not cut programs for individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and their families. Keep the Healthy Michigan Fund and the Older Adult Initiative line items in the Department of Community Health budget.” Most important, personalize the message with a short message about how Alzheimer’s Disease has affected you and your family.

Those living in Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Crawford, Oscoda, Alcona, Ogemaw, Iosco, Gladwin and Midland counties, please contact Senator Stamas at 866.305.2136; fax at 517.373.2678 or write him at:

State Senator

The Honorable Tony Stamas

P.O. Box 30036

Lansing, Michigan 48909-7536

To contact State Representative Andy Neumann those living in Presque Isle, Montmorency, Alpena, Crawford, Oscoda and Alcona counties, please contact Representative Andy Neumann at 877.737.4106; fax at 517.373.8446 or write him at:

State Representative

The Honorable Andy Neumann

P.O. Box 30014

Lansing, Michigan 48909-7536

4th Annual Caregivers Count

Thursday, May 28th
Granum Theatre at Alpena Community College

check in at 8:30 - cost $10/per person at the door and includes lunch
please call 989.358.7928 or e-mail Karol Cain to pre-register

Guest speakers include:

Dr. Joann Root
Diane O'Connor - Alzheimer's Association
Trooper Andrew Ambrose - Michigan State Police
Mary Supiran - Tendercare Alpena
Pegg Thomas - Alzheimer's Association
Karol Cain - The Caring Place
Chef Eric Peterson - The Fresh Palate

The program runs until 4:00pm. All caregivers and family members are welcome to attend.

You Are Invited!

to our

Open House

Alpena Office
526 W Chisholm St

May 20th

4:00 - 6:30pm.

Stop by and see our new office, meet the staff and learn about what we do here to help people in Northern Michigan.

We have a wonderful quilt to raffle this summer! The White Pines Quilt Guild from Harrisville, MI, has donated this quilt to the Alzheimer's Association to help us raise money for our Memory Walk. The gals meet once at month at Hollyhocks Quilt Shop in Harrisville. Hats off to the gals in the guild!

The quilt is simply lovely. It is queen bed size with 12 different snowman squares and beautiful machine quilting through all the layers. What a perfect quilt for Northeast Michigan! In the photo is Jan Mooradian (wife of author Tom Mooradian) from the White Pines Quilt Guild. Jan has spearheaded this whole project.

Tickets are available at the Alpena Office, 526 W Chisholm St, or from the White Pines Quilt Guild members. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. Drawing will be held at the Alpena Memory Walk on September 19th, at the Band Shell in Bay View Park around 11:00am. You need not be present to win!

For more information, you can contact: Pegg Thomas in the Alpena Office.

Memory Walk 2009 is getting under way!

Our Alpena Walk has it's website up and running! You can visit us here. Whether you can come and join us in person or if you want to create a 'virtual' Memory Walk team... we'd love to have you! You can sign up on-line or contact our Alpena office at 989.356.4087.

The Traverse City walk site will be up soon!

Making the Most of the Visit

If you have a friend or loved one who suffers with Alzheimer’s Disease or another form of dementia, visiting can be both stressful and uncomfortable. But it doesn’t have to be! Taking a few moments to prepare for your visit, using some easy to obtain materials, engaging in some simple activities and utilizing new communication skills can turn that visit into something very special for both you and your person with dementia.

The Alzheimer’s Association will be hosting a presentation at the Alpena County Library on March 24^th from 6:00 to 7:30pm. The presentation, “Making the Most of the Visit”, is geared towards those who either regularly or occasionally visit a friend or loved one with dementia. There will be time for questions and answers after the presentation.

Don’t let uncertainty rob you of time spent with your loved one who suffers from dementia. There is no cost for this presentation, however, donations are always welcome and help support the Alzheimer’s Association in northern Michigan.

For more information about “Making the Most of the Visit”, please contact the Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Michigan Chapter office in Alpena at 989.356.4087.

A New Beginning - Blogging

Today we start a new venture into cyberspace. Why? To reach the families and friends of people who have Alzheimer's Disease and other forms of dementia. We have two goals for our blog:

1) To provide up-to-date, useful information
2) To give people another avenue to contact us 24/7

We are located in Northern Michigan with offices in both Alpena and Traverse City. We cover all 21 counties of the northern lower peninsula. We have a staff of 6 and someone will be checking our blog on a daily basis.

Thank you for visiting! We hope to be a valuable tool as we progress with our blog!