The WAlK To enD AlZheImer's

“Mom passed away three years ago, when she was 64 years old. Although a cure or treatment didn’t come in time for my mom, I continue to help in the fight against Alzheimer’s and dementia. I hope there comes a day where I won’t have to worry about being diagnosed – or watch one of my children battle the disease,” Heidenreich said.

Gunderson’s mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2004 at the age of 76 and passed away in January of this year. “In hindsight, of course, signs of Alzheimer’s were apparent earlier, but we attributed them to aging, and we were in denial that Mom would ever get anything like Alzheimer’s,” Gunderson said. “Little did we know, we were embarking on a journey that would devastate my mom and our family … our lives would never be the same.”

“It’s so difficult to watch someone you love fade away right before your eyes … from merely forgetting things, to constantly repeating herself and not knowing what day it is or where she is, to losing the ability to take care of herself or recognize family members,” Gunderson said. Mom loved kids, especially babies … and in the nursing home, she had a doll she loved to hold and sing to and she treated it just like it was a real baby. She couldn’t tell the difference.”

“If I might offer two pieces of advice,” Gunderson said, “Be educated about this disease; it will help you know what to expect. It’s still not easy, but knowing is better, I believe. And don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. There are people and organizations that are willing to help patients and their families.”

The mission of the Alzheimer’s Association is to do just that: To eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of