Weaving his way through grief
Alzheimers Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada Blog
by Jennifer Tinkelenberg
2d ago
Larry Romiti was the full-time caregiver for his wife Judy who was living with Alzheimer’s. When the COVID-19 pandemic happened, Judy and Larry found themselves isolated and alone. Larry’s health was failing and on the recommendation of his doctor, Larry moved Judy into a Nevada care setting. After her death in 2023, Larry began expressing his grief through art and started weaving a rug. Larry shares how he used this creative pursuit to work through his grief and find his way back to living his life. Larry and Judy The wild side When Larry first met Judy in 1980, they were both living on what ..read more
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Burlingame woman runs original Greece marathon to honor mother
Alzheimers Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada Blog
by Alzheimer's Association
2w ago
By Kristina Hodge, RN Mariana Pappageorge’s had been dreaming of running a marathon for 15 years. Even after her mother Kathy’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis 10 years ago, the dream continued. When the opportunity came to run in the Athens Marathon, she decided to use this as a way to raise money for Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Both of Mariana’s parents are of Greek decent, which made this marathon extra special. With hard work, a positive attitude and a commitment to the cause, Mariana honored her mother, her ancestry and all of those impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. Mariana (left) and Kathy (second fro ..read more
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Research: How the brain changes when you have dementia
Alzheimers Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada Blog
by Jennifer Tinkelenberg
3w ago
Dr. Yu (Sherry) Chen, a postdoctoral fellow at University California San Francisco (UCSF), was a recipient of the 2023 Alzheimer’s Association® Clinical Scientist Fellowship to Promote Diversity. Her research focuses on how the brain works and changes when you get diseases like dementia, specifically in the cerebellum. Last mystery in the world Dr. Chen first became interested in the brain when she was in high school. Her biology teacher shared that the brain the last mystery of the world, and it sparked an interest in Dr. Chen. “I went to medical school to pursue how the brain works,” said D ..read more
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Black dementia caregiver cares for his mother and his mental health
Alzheimers Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada Blog
by Alzheimer's Association
1M ago
By Sharon Squires, RN  A person living with dementia can be challenging for any caregiver, regardless of race. The Black community traditionally are strong in caregiving responsibilities and will culturally rely on internal support groups and community organizations for their caregiving needs. Brandon, a Black man, is a caregiver for his mother who is living with the Alzheimer’s. He shares his personal struggles with anxiety and the importance of leaning on his family and his community for help. Beverly Beverly’s Life Before Alzheimer’s Brandon is the primary caregiver for his mother, Bev ..read more
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Preventing discrimination against Black Alzheimer’s caregivers
Alzheimers Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada Blog
by Jennifer Tinkelenberg
1M ago
When April Bolin’s mother, Margie, needed to be taken to the hospital at 2 a.m. because of hallucinations due in part to Alzheimer’s, she never thought she’d need to be dressed up to be taken seriously. However, April (a Black women) believes that the nurses looked at her in her disheveled state and decided she was trying to take advantage of her mother and blocked access to Margie. It was through this painful incident that April found the Alzheimer’s Association®. Today, April and her wife advocate for Alzheimer’s education so other people of color don’t have to experience what she did. April ..read more
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Life after Alzheimer’s: One couple’s new lease on life
Alzheimers Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada Blog
by Jennifer Tinkelenberg
1M ago
Betty MacDonald and Dave Morley were recently married in March of 2022. They have known each other since 2009 when they both joined an Alzheimer’s Association® support group. At the time both were married to other people both of whom had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Betty’s husband John had been diagnosed in 2005 and Dave’s wife Bonny had received her diagnosis on Christmas Eve in 2008. While both John and Bonny have died, Betty and Dave continue to live an exciting life full of understanding, love and adventure together. Betty and Dave on their first date Friendly lunches Betty and Dave s ..read more
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Black civil rights activist and photographer now battles dementia.
Alzheimers Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada Blog
by Jennifer Tinkelenberg
1M ago
Famous Bay Area photographer, World War II veteran and civil rights activist, David Johnson, has an impressive resume of making the world a better place to live in. Continuing his activism well into his 80s, it was easy to assume his new quirks were just David being eccentric and not that of dementia. His wife, Jackie Sue, shares David’s illustrious past, and how important it is to both care for yourself and prepare for the future. David as a young man before WWII David Johnson: A history David Johnson was born in Florida in 1926, when segregation was normal and the Black community was expecte ..read more
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Make 2024 the year to commit to brain health
Alzheimers Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada Blog
by Jennifer Tinkelenberg
2M ago
As people pursue their New Year’s resolutions, the Alzheimer’s Association® is encouraging everyone to commit to brain health in 2024. Research shows that healthy behaviors may reduce the risk of cognitive decline and help reduce the risk of dementia. A recent poll reported that retired Americans fear developing dementia more than any other condition. While some brain changes are inevitable as we age, there is a growing body of research to suggest that adopting healthy behaviors, including healthy eating, exercising regularly, not smoking and staying cognitively engaged may help our brain heal ..read more
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Hispanic family keeps promise to care for mom in her own home
Alzheimers Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada Blog
by Jennifer Tinkelenberg
2M ago
In 2019, Birdie’s mother Margarita was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. At the same time, her mother-in-law was also living with the disease. While her husband was caring for his own mother, Birdie moved in with hers. To help with both grandmothers, Birdie’s son was able to transfer his job in Hawaii to California and move home. Birdie shares how her family came together to fulfill their promise to help Margarita stay in the house she bought until the day she died. Margarita (center) at a party A rough beginning Margarita did not have an easy time as a child and young woman. Growing up in E ..read more
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It’s like selling coffee to a college student: An easy fundraiser for The Longest Day
Alzheimers Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada Blog
by Jennifer Tinkelenberg
3M ago
Britta Verhey, a junior at Stanford University, was in search of an easy fundraiser to support The Longest Day®. Knowing that college students love coffee, she took the idea of a lemonade stand and turned it into a coffee cart. Together with her sorority, they sold nearly 100 cups of coffee, raising more than $300 in one morning. Britta supports the Alzheimer’s Association® in honor of her grandmother, Sharon, who died with Alzheimer’s in 2021. Britta (right) and Sharon (left) The story of her grandmother Britta Verhey was just 10 years old when her grandmother, Sharon, started showing signs o ..read more
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