Local event to raise money, awareness for Alzheimer’s

Alz Stars Bowling for Alzheimer’s

What: Annual fundraiser held in conjunction with the PBA Senior Dayton Classic

When: Friday, Aug. 26, 7 p.m.

Where: Capri Lanes, 2727 S. Dixie Highway, Kettering

Cost: $50, includes bowling with some of the biggest names in the sport including Walter Ray Williams Jr., Johnny Petraglia and Tom Baker, prime rib dinner, music and dancing

Information: Space is limited. Contact Teresa Thomas at (937) 291-3332 or teresa.thomas@alz.org

Intellectually, Sherry Geiger of Washington Twp. understood the diagnosis but emotionally, it was almost more than she could bear.

“It was absolutely heartbreaking,” she said.

Sherry’s husband Bruce, now 65, was initially diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and later as having probable Alzheimer’s disease. The retired nurse noticed symptoms in her husband of 42 years starting in 2007; Bruce thinks it started even earlier.

“I suspected for about 10 years that I was dulling a bit,” he said. “I just know I wasn’t as sharp.”

The former Penny/Ohlmann/Neiman vice president is part of a growing number of people across the country living with Alzheimer’s disease. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 5.4 million people nationwide and 230,000 in Ohio have the most common form of dementia, commonly associated with problems with memory and thinking and changes in behavior.

“There are very few people who aren’t going to be touched by dementia in some way in their lifetime, whether it is them or someone they are close to, “ said Dr. Larry Lawhorne, chairperson and professor of geriatrics at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine.

But while the prospect of living with Alzheimer’s is one that evokes dread in many, the key word for Eric VanVlymen, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association Miami Valley Chapter, is “living.”

“There is still life for people with Alzheimer’s,” he said. “That is especially true for those with early stage.”

Beyond the diagnosis

“Bruce’s personality is still pretty much the same,” Sherry said. “He has what he calls ‘cloudy’ days when his brain just isn’t working well but then he will have good days when he is totally up to doing anything.”

Bruce is considered to be in “early stage,” which refers to people, irrespective of age, who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders and are in the beginning stages of the disease. These patients retain the ability to participate in daily activities and in a give-and-take dialogue. This includes those persons with “younger onset” that develop dementia before age 65 and who are still in the early stages of the disease.

“Early stage is when a person, themself, acknowledges that they have it and is figuring out how to live with it,” VanVlymen said. “The key to early stage is engaging people who know they have the disease.”

That engagement can come in a number of forms from support groups to educational programs and activities to clinical trials.

“It’s important for them to know that they don’t need to be alone, they can tell people what they are going through,” VanVlymen said. “And they can engage with other people and find comfort.”

Beyond coping and commiserating, he encourages early-stage patients to investigate clinical trials, of which there are two being conducted in the Dayton area, as well as opportunities for advocacy.

“The more awareness there is, the more it will help people come out and share their experience,” VanVlymen said.

A positive attitude

“I accept that I have this condition and try to live every day to its fullest extent,” Bruce said. “My life is wonderful, largely because I have a wonderful wife, and I live in the moment.”

That’s not to say he doesn’t have his bad days, the same can be said for Sherry.

“As a nurse, I referred a lot of people to the Alzheimer’s Association and I had more awareness of this condition than most people do, but I think that’s also why I wasn’t sure initially that I wanted to talk about it because I knew the outcome and I didn’t want to be part of that club.”

Sherry and Bruce, while they have a close network of family and friends, have both found comfort and camaraderie in support groups.

“It’s a place where you can sit down and say ‘this sucks,’” VanVlymen said. “Or you can just listen and not say much at all.”

Those who aren’t ready to talk about their condition can find a variety of resources online at www.alz.org and in books. Lawhorne recommends “The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for Persons With Alzheimer Disease, Related Dementing Illnesses, and Memory Loss in Later Life,” by Nancy Mace and Peter Rabins.

“It’s a very comforting resource,” Lawhorne said.

The Geigers find focusing on the present makes all the difference.

“You can still have a good time,” Sherry said. “We are finding joy in life instead of being terrified every day.”

Programs for People in the Miami Valley Living with Early Stage Dementia

Early Stage Education Series: Comprehensive education program focused on the person living with early stage dementia

Early Stage Support Group: Monthly group for people living with early stage dementia that discusses issues like loss of driving, coping with the diagnosis, anger, sharing the diagnosis with others, dealing with your caregiver

Memory Café: This monthly program, designed for the person living with early stage dementia, encourages friendship and life enjoyment. Events include art workshop, writing workshop, visit to Cox Arboretum and more.

Who is appropriate for these programs?

The person with dementia must be...

• Interested in participating with a group of peers on issues related to dementia

• Willing to acknowledge his/her own symptoms of dementia

• Able to discuss experiences and feelings related to living with dementia

• Ableble to manage all aspects of self-care

Before attending any early stage programming, an initial interview over the phone or in person with an Alzheimer’s Association staff is required. For additional information or to set up an initial interview, call (937) 291-3332. Information about Alzheimer’s disease is available 24 hours a day through the association helpline at (800) 272-3900.

Making a difference

While an increasing number of people are learning to live with Alzheimer’s, others in the Miami Valley are raising funds to help develop treatments and find a cure. Capri Lanes, in Kettering is hosting its annual Alz Stars Bowling for Alzheimer’s on Friday, Aug. 26.

For Capri Lanes proprietor Mike Irwin, the cause is personal.

“I have a connection to Alzheimer’s through my wife’s (Carolyn) family, and I also think it is a good fit for the Senior Tour since that is the group that is most impacted by this disease.”

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, age is the greatest risk factor in developing the disease and Alzheimer’s is now the fifth-leading cause of death for those over the age of 65. “It’s so tough on families, and it’s important for them to know there are resources, facilities and options available to them,” Carolyn Irwin said. “Events like this do more than raise money, they raise awareness.”

10 Warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease

1. Memory changes that disrupt daily life

2. Challenges in planning or solving problems

3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks

4. Confusion with time or place

5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships

6. New problems with words in speaking or writing

7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

8. Decreased or poor judgment

9. Withdrawal from work or social activities

10. Changes in mood and personality

What’s the Difference?