If you go ...
■ What: 2017 Green County Alzheimer's Walk
■ When: 8:30 a.m. Saturday
■ Where: Behring Senior Center, Monroe
■ How: Pre-register from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday at the senior center.
Day-of registration opens at 7:30 a.m. Saturday. Registration is free, but donations are welcome. Participants also are
invited to raise funds. Visit supportalzwisc.org/green.
By Michael Brestovansky
mbrestovansky@
themonroetimes.com
MONROE - Green County residents will be able to walk to raise awareness and money for Alzheimer's and dementia treatments this weekend.
The Alzheimer's and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin will hold the 16th annual Green County Alzheimer's Walk on Saturday.
Paul Rusk, executive director of the Alzheimer's and Dementia Alliance, said the event would help raise public awareness of not only the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and dementia among the community but also of available treatment centers.
"Knowledge really is power," Rusk said. "The more you understand what's happening with a loved one, the more you're able to help them."
Rusk said facilities such as the Behring Senior Center and the Aging and Disability Resource Center as well as Monroe Clinic's neurology department can provide assistance for the 1,094 Green County residents with Alzheimer's or dementia. However, Rusk said people are not necessarily aware of the benefits such facilities can provide.
"I thought I knew what it was," said Monroe resident Jodi Kegebein, whose mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in April 2016. "I thought it was just memory problems but it's much more than that."
Kegebein said that, while Alzheimer's is generally understood to be characterized by memory loss, the disease also causes delusions, paranoia and what Kegebein called "mismatched memories."
"You have to take it day by day and give up your expectations," Kegebein.
Kegebein, who is the family chair of the Alzheimer's Walk, will deliver a speech before the walk itself about her experiences caring for her mother.
"I do not think people really understand what it's like," Kegebein said. "It affects so many people and I want to help them understand and respect patients in their conditions."
mbrestovansky@
themonroetimes.com
MONROE - Green County residents will be able to walk to raise awareness and money for Alzheimer's and dementia treatments this weekend.
The Alzheimer's and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin will hold the 16th annual Green County Alzheimer's Walk on Saturday.
Paul Rusk, executive director of the Alzheimer's and Dementia Alliance, said the event would help raise public awareness of not only the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and dementia among the community but also of available treatment centers.
"Knowledge really is power," Rusk said. "The more you understand what's happening with a loved one, the more you're able to help them."
Rusk said facilities such as the Behring Senior Center and the Aging and Disability Resource Center as well as Monroe Clinic's neurology department can provide assistance for the 1,094 Green County residents with Alzheimer's or dementia. However, Rusk said people are not necessarily aware of the benefits such facilities can provide.
"I thought I knew what it was," said Monroe resident Jodi Kegebein, whose mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in April 2016. "I thought it was just memory problems but it's much more than that."
Kegebein said that, while Alzheimer's is generally understood to be characterized by memory loss, the disease also causes delusions, paranoia and what Kegebein called "mismatched memories."
"You have to take it day by day and give up your expectations," Kegebein.
Kegebein, who is the family chair of the Alzheimer's Walk, will deliver a speech before the walk itself about her experiences caring for her mother.
"I do not think people really understand what it's like," Kegebein said. "It affects so many people and I want to help them understand and respect patients in their conditions."