Tackling dementia

Editor’s note: This is the first part of a two-part series on Jane Seymour of “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” fame. The second article will appear in Friday’s News-Press.

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

Jane Seymour recalled being with Glen Campbell in his nursing home as the legendary country singer struggled with the final stages of Alzheimer’s.

“My son, who is a musician, came with me,” said Ms. Seymour, the “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” star who formerly lived in Montecito. “He picked up Glen’s guitar and sat next to Glen and just started playing music he had written. Glen turned to him, after having been blank and looking in space, and started to sing — to try to sing to music he’s never heard before.

“It engaged him again, and Kim (Glen’s wife) looked at me, and she nudged me and said, ‘Look, look! Johnny’s (Ms. Seymour’s son) got through to him again.’ But it was always through music. …

“I think if someone played guitar or if they sang, that’s the last thing to go,” said Ms. Seymour, executive producer of “Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me,” an awardwinning 2014 documentary.

Fast forward to today, and Ms. Seymour is talking about playing Ruby, a woman in the early stages of dementia, in the movie “Ruby’s Choice.” She said that like Mr. Campbell, Ruby connected to the world through the arts, in her case painting and dancing.

Next week, Ms. Seymour will discuss dementia further as the keynote speaker at the Alzheimer’s Women’s Initiative Inspire Luncheon: Your Brain Matters.

Organized by the California Central Coast Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, the event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 26 at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront, 633 E. Cabrillo Blvd. “I’ve been passionately involved with the worlds of dementia and Alzheimer’s,” Ms. Seymour said. “These are diagnoses that touch most people in some form and deserve more of a spotlight, which is why I’ve chosen to support the Alzheimer’s Association through this luncheon.”

Funds raised by the luncheon will go to the association’s mission of tackling dementia through global research, early detection, risk reduction, and maximizing quality care and support.

Ms. Seymour talked to the News-Press about dementia, her family and her role in “Ruby’s Choice” during a Zoom call.

The Emmy- and Golden Globewinning Malibu actress was in her apartment in Dublin, where she’s starring as a retired English professor who solves crimes in the TV series “Harry Wild.” It airs in

America on Acorn TV.

Ms. Seymour said she has seen what can happen when caregivers don’t take care of themselves at the same time they’re caring for someone with dementia. She stressed it’s important that caregivers know when they need help.

“One of my uncles got it (dementia), and it was just so bad,” Ms. Seymour said. “His wife — my aunt — was literally an angel. But she would not let him go into

For example, staffers expect that FY 2024 revenue for the General Fund will be $201.5 million while expenditures will be $200 million. But in FY 2025, revenue for the General Fund is projected to be $209.5 million while expenditures are expected to be $211 million.

Major challenges include deferred maintenance and capital improvements, pension cost increases and unfunded liability, economic uncertainty and high inflation, Mr. DiMartini said.

The budgets contain a number of fiscal and budgetary challenges, he said, including retention and recruitment challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. Major work efforts over the next two fiscal years include funding the building of the new police station and revitalization of De la Guerra Plaza.

Before the council meeting started, the city of Santa Barbara issued its operating and capital budget for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025, as required by the city charter. The recommended budget includes an introductory budget message from the city administrator, revenue and expenditure details by fund and department, capital priorities and performance indicators.

The Santa Barbara City Council will review and receive presentations from staff regarding the recommended budget throughout May and June during the following, scheduled meetings:

• May 3 from 8:30 a.m. to noon — airport.

• May 3 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. –police and fire departments