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Why Do You Walk to End Alzheimer's?
As the 2013 Maine Walk to End Alzheimer's Season Begins We Ask Maine Teams Why They Walk
 Osmond
“Oz” Bonsey is no stranger to public service and unfortunately, no stranger to
Alzheimer's disease. So, when he was asked if he would participate in this year's Eastern
Maine Walk to End Alzheimer's, of course Oz agreed. A
native of Surry, Oz spent his adult years as the City Manager for
several Maine towns, including Mars
Hill, Freeport, Falmouth,
and Yarmouth.
He spent the last 10 years being the best caregiver he could to his beautiful
wife, Ann, whom he has watched decline with Alzheimer's. After 60 years of
partnership, Ann and Oz live in separate facilities in different
towns. Oz delights in being able to hear the “happy tone in her
voice” one recent morning when talking to her on the phone, learning that she
had some former high school classmates visiting. At the same time, he expresses
how sad this disease can be, “it hangs on so long,” Oz states. Oz will be participating in the three
mile walk with his wife, two daughters and his son.
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Ashley Freeman first got involved with the Walk as a volunteer three years ago. In February 2013 she lost her Nana, Jeanette, to the disease and it has made the walk all the more personal for her. "My Nana had it all," said Ashley, "she was funny, compassionate, strong, comforting, loving, a phenomenal dancer – and above all, she symbolized what family means. I think I can speak on behalf of my entire family in saying that we want to make sure that her memory is carried on, and that raising awareness and funds so that other people can help get the support that they need when they are going through this process. This disease is anything less than easy. Our family had one another, because of our Nana, and if we can make a difference in others’ lives, than that’s what we would like to do. As a younger person, I feel that our generation needs to experience Alzheimer's, gain knowledge about Alzheimer's, and to make progress in putting an end to it." This year Ashley and her family, pictured to the left with Nana, have started their own team “NanaBanana” to walk in memory of her and to support and encourage a world without Alzheimer’s.
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 Join Ashley, Oz and thousands of others across Maine this fall who are choosing to make a difference in the lives of the more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and the more than 15 million who care for them. Find the walk nearest you from the list below and register today! You can also volunteer by joining a planning committee or helping out on the day of the walk fill out our volunteer application here >> Questions? Contact rendres@alz.org >>
Capital Area Walk, Augusta
Central Maine Walk, Lewiston
Eastern Maine Walk, Bangor
Greater Portland Walk, Portland
Midcoast Walk, Rockland
Northern Maine Walk, Fort Kent
St. Croix Valley Walk, Calais
Southern Maine Walk, Sanford
Southern Midcoast Walk, Brunswick
Western Maine Walk, South Paris
York Beach Walk, York Beach
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Register today for the Fall 2013 Statewide Educational Conference in Bangor
The Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter's statewide educational conference will be held on October 25 at the Spectacular Event Center in Bangor. The conference will feature keynote speaker Mal Allard, founder and director of "Their Real World", a company that offers Alzheimer's and dementia education. In addition to the keynote, this full-day conference will include a research update from Dr. Cliff Singer and workshops for both family and professional caregivers as well as people living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Registration fees include lunch and six contact hours for professionals. Find out more and register today! >>
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Association to Partner with Chicken Soup for the Soul
We are pleased to announce that the Alzheimer’s Association® is working with Chicken Soup for the Soul to make a very special and important book: Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living with Alzheimer’s & Other Dementias. And we invite you to submit a story! Submissions are due Oct. 15. To learn more, including details on submission and guidelines for story length, please visit www.chickensoup.com.
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 Maine Chapter Offers Habilitation Training
The popular training "Caring for People with Alzheimer's Disease" will be offered on September 13, 2013 in Brewer and on October 3, 2013 in Scarborough. The newly revised Habilitation Curriculum is a train the trainer model created to prepare attendees, already familiar with Alzheimer’s and dementia care, to train direct staff in a wide array of care settings. The 7-hour training teaches the 13-hour curriculum in best Habilitation Therapy practices. Modules include a PowerPoint presentation, discussion activities, lecture and demonstration, role-play and group work. CEU's are offered and advance registration is required. For more information or to register contact bkirkpatrick@alz.org >>
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Join the Telephone Support Group
Stay connected with support from the Alzheimer’s Association through your telephone! The Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter will provide a Telephone Caregiver Support Group for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias who may find it difficult to travel to a meeting site. The group will "meet" on the second and last Thursday of each month from 10:00-11:30am beginning on September 26th. In addition, the Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline provides reliable information and support to all those who need assistance. Call us toll-free anytime day or night at 1.800.272.3900. For more information about joining the Telephone Caregiver Support Group contact Bill Kirkpatrick at bkirkpatrick@alz.org.
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Eat Out to End Alz
The Maine Chapter is excited to announce that we have been chosen to participate in the Ruby Tuesday GiveBack Program! Grab your family and friends and head over to their Topsham or South Portland location on September 6,7, and 8th. Present this flyer to your server and they will donate back 20% of your purchase to the 2013 Maine Walk to End Alzheimer's.
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| Call 1.800.272.3900 or 1.207.772.0115 for more information regarding the stories featured in this enewsletter, support and services available in your area, or with any questions you may have regarding Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. For dates and locations of upcoming events please visit the Maine Chapter Calendar >> |
Maine Chapter Resource Links
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2013 Maine Walk to End Alzheimer's Event Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Avita of Stroudwater
Cape Memory Care
Genesis HealthCare
Sedgewood Commons
Spectrum Medical Group
Woodlands Senior Living
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Silver Sponsors
Curry Printing Day's Jewelers
Fallbrook Woods
Hannaford Supermarkets
Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway Bangor
Home Instead Senior Care
Kindred Assisted Living - Monarch Center and Village Crossings
Kindred Westgate Manor
Law Offices of Joe Bornstein
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About the Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. The Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter serves the entire State of Maine from its Scarborough office. There are more than 37,000 families in Maine who are affected by Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. alz.org/maine
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