Mondays With Mother: An Alzheimer's Story

In 2002 my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. It is a hard road, and we live it one day at a time. This is a chronicle of her disease and my Monday visits with her.

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Name: Anne Robertson
Location: Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States
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Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Support the Alzheimer's Foundation of America

With the dog's passing last Friday, I did get up to "visit" Mother on Saturday. I put visit in quotes because she was sleeping in a recliner in the TV room, her eyes held tightly shut, and I could not wake her. The Clough Center called yesterday to say they thought she had a UTI and were treating her with antibiotics, so perhaps that was part of it. The visit was perhaps not the best way to lift my spirits after losing Ruckus, but so it goes.

I also wanted to pass along some information I got in my e-mail. It's a fund-raising campaign by a biotech company that produces Alzheimer's drugs. I have tried to steer clear of pharma ads in this blog, but I think what they are doing with the fundraising campaign for the AFA (through Nov. 17) is worthwhile, and it costs nothing. Kind of like the Hunger Site, you just go to a site and click. Here's part of their press release.

Accera, Inc., a biotechnology company delivering breakthrough therapies in central nervous system diseases, announced today the launch of its “Lost & Found” campaign, an on-line initiative whereby each visit to www.lostandfoundcampaign.com prompts a $1 donation by Accera to support the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA).

Every AD patient, caregiver or family who visits the “Lost & Found” Web site may participate in this fundraising campaign by simply selecting an icon that represents something they have lost or forgotten that day. Clicking on an icon will trigger a donation from Accera to AFA at no cost to the individual participants. All funds generated throughout this initiative will be donated to AFA on November 17, 2009, “National Memory Screening Day,” to further AFA’s efforts to support individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and their families. The Web site also contains information on current treatment therapies and educational links for patients and caregivers.

National Memory Screening Day, an annual initiative sponsored by AFA, provides free, confidential memory screenings to individuals concerned about memory loss with the objective of early detection and intervention. Qualified healthcare professionals offer the face-to-face screenings at convenient locations in communities across the nation.

“We are pleased to be the recipients of Accera’s ‘Lost & Found’ campaign as we work to raise awareness about National Memory Screening Day,” said Eric J. Hall, AFA’s president and chief executive officer. “With the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease escalating, AFA is extremely appreciative of those who understand the vital need for support services and the difference they can make for individuals with dementia and their families.”

Steve Orndorff, Ph.D., President and CEO of Accera, Inc., stated, “Our goal through this effort is to signal to patients and caregivers that there are many people and companies, like Accera, dedicated to combating this devastating disease.” He continued, “With the downturn of the economy, we wanted to enable individuals to make a contribution towards this effort without having to donate their own income. Through our initiative we hope to improve the quality of life for patients and caregivers.”

“Lost & Found” submissions will be accepted on-line through November 13, 2009.

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