I met Noreen in January of 2002. I had just begun my role as an activity assistant in a skilled nursing home in Wisconsin. A mere four months earlier I was in my New York apartment on the morning of September 11, 2001. The world changed forever that day. My professional career path changed forever that day as well. By then, I’d been in New York just over five years and had been working as a radio sports reporter and producer. My lifestyle was fast and filled with amazing moments of pro-athlete…See More

Using a large blue erasable marker I wrote A-P-P-L-E on the giant white board. I smiled down at Marie. “Marie, can you see that?” “Yea” she responded. “Read it.” Marie looked at the board looked up at the ceiling lights then back at the board. “Apple” she chirped. Yes! That’s fantastic” I squealed. “You are amazing” I said while I wiped away the word and replaced it with B-E-R-R-Y. “Marie, can you see that.” “Yes.” “Read it.” “Berry” she said as she began nibbling on her left hand thumbnail. I…See More

“Hey there Jim, my friend,” I smiled as I extended my hand. Jim’s large Texas-sized hand grasped mine as his face lit up in a toothy grin. “Well howdy!” he replied. Each time Jim greeted me the next phrase was the same. “Woo Wee, you’re a tall one. Nearly as tall as me.” He smiled as he raised his hand in a mock-measure of my height. This greeting was familiar to me. It was word-for-word the same greeting I’ve shared with Jim for the nearly three years I’ve known him. Although I remember and…See More

Do you speak Alzheimer’s? You do, if you are an at-home caregiver or a professional provider in a long-term setting. No matter your position, it takes a TEAM approach to provide Championship-level care to individuals with Alzheimer’s or Dementia. Consider yourself a Coach because that’s what you are as a family caregiver of a memory-impaired person. Right now, you make the rules and the game plan. You are the focal point of your at-home care team. You can’t do it alone though; so surround…See More