IN MEMORY OF A DEAR FRIEND, MENTOR, DAA BOARD AND ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER Paulan Gordon 9/2/1954 ~ 10/2/2021 Every so often someone special comes along in life who has wide and lasting impact on many. Such was Paulan Gordon, who died much too young of breakthrough Covid on October 2, 2021. She leaves an enormous hole in our hearts. She also leaves a lasting legacy of how to live with dementia with vigor, positivity, and grace. Paulan was deeply involved […]
It is estimated that 1 in 2 people in the U.S. have a chronic medical condition and 96% of these people live with an Invisible Disease (JP Thierry 2013). An Invisible Disease is an umbrella term for a disease or condition that is not visibly noticeable – a hidden condition, which can cause severe pain, cognitive impairments, extreme fatigue, constant illnesses, depression, or a variety of other impairments. Living with an invisible disorder often creates the added challenge of dealing […]
Mike Belleville, 52, is a member of DAA’s Advisory Board. He is living with Lewy body dementia. What does a day in the life look like for a person living with dementia? It obviously varies depending on the progression of the person’s dementia. Although I was diagnosed 8 years ago at the age of 52, I am still thankfully experiencing early symptoms of Lewy body dementia. I am challenged on a daily basis with a rollercoaster ride of feelings – […]
AgingME is Maine’s Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program. Under the leadership of Dr. Susan Wehry, AgingME works to build an age-friendly healthcare system, “transforming primary care practices and engaging and empowering older adults”. The Dementia Action Alliance’s ongoing partnership with AgingME furthers our ability to create a better world in which to live with dementia. The below videos were recently produced to provide a better understanding of first-hand experiences of people living with dementia. Video #1: Dementia Action Alliance’s On […]
by Jackie Pinkowitz, M.Ed. As Board Chair of the Dementia Action Alliance (DAA), I am privileged to interact with friends and colleagues living with dementia across our country. These individuals are “Making a Real Difference” through personal pathways of advocacy in their communities, their states, and our country. Whether through speaking engagements, writing, social media, video podcasts, or sharing their artistic talent with others, each one advances a common mission of making the United States a place where people living […]
Mary L. Radnofsky, Ph.D. DAA Advisory Council I was recently asked about the voting rights of people with dementia in America, especially when entering memory care. It’s an important issue to those of us with a diagnosis. But this question also addresses our fundamental identity as human beings, for we have a voice that should be heard not only in the governance of our country, but in our personal autonomy. The right to vote is protected by the US Constitution […]
DAA thanks the Georgia Pharmacy Association (GPhA) Journal for allowing us to re-post Phil Ratliff’s article on our Board member Robert Bowles being awarded “The Larry L. Braden Meritorious Service Award”. Ask those who know Robert Bowles to describe the 69-year old retired pharmacist from Thomaston, and you’ll likely detect a pattern: driven, intellectually curious, a problem-solver, a man with purpose and passion. So, in 2012, when Bowles was diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia, Bowles realized he faced a choice […]