December 1, 2025 • 29 mins
🎙️ Covering Your Health with Evelyn Erives, presented by IEHP
In this episode of Covering Your Health with Evelyn Erives, presented by IEHP, we dive into the critical topic of brain health and why it matters at every stage of life. Evelyn sits down with Deborah Levy, Executive Director of the Orange County Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, to discuss practical ways to keep your brain healthy, reduce risk factors, and recognize early signs of cognitive decline.
Deborah shares expert insights on lifestyle choices that support brain health, the latest research on Alzheimer’s prevention, and resources available for families in the Inland Empire and beyond. Whether you’re caring for a loved one or simply want to protect your own cognitive wellness, this conversation is packed with valuable information you won’t want to miss. Â
For more information on this show's topic visit IEHP.org or (800) 440-IEHP. Â
To learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association visit alz.org. Â
Reach out to Evelyn via Instagram @evelynerives or email her at EvelynErives@iHeartMedia.com
In this episode of Covering Your Health with Evelyn Erives, presented by IEHP, we dive into the critical topic of brain health and why it matters at every stage of life. Evelyn sits down with Deborah Levy, Executive Director of the Orange County Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, to discuss practical ways to keep your brain healthy, reduce risk factors, and recognize early signs of cognitive decline.
Deborah shares expert insights on lifestyle choices that support brain health, the latest research on Alzheimer’s prevention, and resources available for families in the Inland Empire and beyond. Whether you’re caring for a loved one or simply want to protect your own cognitive wellness, this conversation is packed with valuable information you won’t want to miss. Â
For more information on this show's topic visit IEHP.org or (800) 440-IEHP. Â
To learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association visit alz.org. Â
Reach out to Evelyn via Instagram @evelynerives or email her at EvelynErives@iHeartMedia.com
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, Welcome back to another episode of Covering Your Health,
presented by IEHP and hosted by me Evelyna Reeves. I'm
so happy to see you here and that you have
joined us for a very special episode. I say that
every time, but really I feel that way. Every episode
is so special. There's so much to learn from some
of our great partners in the community and people that
(00:23):
are doing good, and I really feel like this is
going to be a good one for you to stick
around for. Today, we are diving into all things brain
health with a very special guest and friend of mine,
Deborah Levy. She's the executive director of the Alzheimer's Association.
We're going to dive into ways to keep your brain
happy and healthy and the early signs and symptoms of
(00:48):
Alzheimer's and dementia, and that really bittersweet, the really bittersweet
fun that we recently had participating in the annual Walk
to End Alzheimer's. We did that on November eighth and
Huntington Beach. It was bittersweet, it was beautiful, it was heartbreaking,
and it was something so special. So I can't wait
to talk to you all about that. Every sixty seven seconds,
(01:12):
someone in America develops Alzheimer's, and today more than seven
million are living with the disease. By twenty fifty, that
number is expected to rise to nearly thirteen million, according
to the Alzheimer's Association. Despite these alarming statistics, we are
on a path to finding a cure thanks to organizations
(01:33):
like the Alzheimer's Association and platforms like this as to
serve as a way to educate really the public and
the share the importance about keeping active, what ways we
can support our loved ones who are diagnosed, and resources
available to our amazing caregiver community.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
So let's get started, shall we. Let's welcome Debra.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Welcome to Covering Your Health, a wellness podcast dedicated to
covering all areas of living a healthy and happy lifestyle,
from healthy hearts to understanding health plans and everything in between.
Each episode will provide you with a better understanding of
managing your health, preventative care, and staying on the right
path for your family's wellness journey. The Covering Your Health
(02:20):
podcast is presented by I E HP Now your host
Evelina Revez.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Welcome, Debrah, how are you?
Speaker 4 (02:29):
I'm great? It's so lovely to see you. I'm not
sure if your listeners know that you am seed one
of our big events.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
I know I don't.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Well, I kind of mentioned a little bit about it,
But we do need to talk about that because you
and I actually have known each other a long time,
even before the walk, So we need a chat about that,
for sure. I'm very excited that I was able to
get you on here, especially since that event just took
place a few weeks ago and we are fresh off of,
you know, off of the walk and the excitement of
(02:59):
that day. But before we get into that, I want
to talk about you. You have a story. You tell
everyone about yourself, let them know who you are, and
how did you get into this line of work? Did
that start when you were very young? Did you say,
you know what nonprofit work? That's where I want to be.
Speaker 4 (03:19):
No, you know, just like you, I was a television
news anchor when I first graduated from UCLA. I started
in television broadcast news and worked in Missouri and then
Florida and then Nevada, and then had an incredible opportunity
to run a nonprofit that was very near and dear
(03:39):
to my heart, which was Ronald McDonald Hou's Charities and
so I left television and said I could do anything
for a year, and you know, more than almost two
decades later, you know, now I'm still a nonprofit leadership
currently right now, my role is I'm with the Alzheimer's
Association and I'm the executive director for the Orange County Chapter.
(04:02):
And you know, it is a very deeply personal mission.
Like many of your listeners and viewers, I've seen a
lot of people that I love navigate the challenges of
Alzheimer's and kind of what I do in my role
now is I'm leading our chapter's efforts when it comes
to advocacy, work, care and support to individuals who are
(04:25):
dealing with dementia, our community education, our community outreach. I
work with an incredible team to connect people impacted by
Alzheimer's or another form of dementia with the resources that
they need. And you know, we're always pushing forward for
research and prevention.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Yeah. I love that.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
So, Okay, can you tell me, just because I don't
think I know this answer, how many nonprofits have you
worked with? Because you've done some really incredible work in
those two decades.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
Yeah, So in terms of like working for the non space.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Now you've done a lot more besides that.
Speaker 4 (05:03):
Ronald McDonald Hou's Charities and then United Cerebral Palsy of
Orange County. I was their president CEO. They have since
folded with Children's Hospital of Orange County and Rady Children's
out of San Diego. Then you and I met when
I was with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. I'm also a
(05:24):
blood cancer survivor and so that, you know, cause was
very near and dear to my heart. And then during COVID,
I moved over to the Alzheimer's Association. I've been here
for almost five years and I absolutely love it.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
Oh and you've got a great team there too. I
have to compliment you everybody that I got to a
meet and like just they seem so happy to be
doing what they're doing.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
They are, yeah, very small, but mighty team. I mean
we're really a volunteer led organization, so very small staff
were really le by volunteers from like everything from our
advocates who are going to Sacramento and to Washington.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
D C.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
To you know, our community educators who are teaching about
brain health you know out in the community. Our support
groups they're run by you know, volunteer support group facilitators. Yeah,
it's really an incredible organization.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
It really is.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
That's that's fantastic. I love I love volunteer led organizations.
I think that's my where my heart is too, because
when I fell in love with volunteering. You know, it's
one of those things where you're like, oh, I don't
know why everybody doesn't do this, Like I don't. I
don't understand, because once you get in, you are in
(06:44):
and you really feel empowered to help, and that is
really very cool.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
Yeah, so now do we have you with the Alzheimer's Associations.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
You got me, gl you got me.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
I already told Cindy and I told my husband that day.
I was like, I want to do this again. That
was super fun. That was really really really cool. Everybody
was just so great. Oh it's so nice. Well, there
are many chapters of the Alzheimer's Association across the country.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Can you tell me a little bit about the work
that the Association does.
Speaker 4 (07:12):
Yeah, so I'm going to talk a little bit about
how we lead sure, and then all go into like
kind of what we do how we lead. We are driven,
you know, by a single urgent purpose to end Alzheimer's
in all other dementia period exclamation point. You know, we're
pursuing this mission with determination, clearly with heart. We're accelerating
(07:34):
research globally. We want to advance early detection, and we
truly want to empower individuals and families to reduce their
risk and protect their brain health. So we're partnering with
healthcare systems, with public health agencies, with community organizations to
ensure you know that families are receiving the guidance and
(07:54):
resources and the compassionate care you know that they deserve.
And so what we're delivering in communities across the country,
because we're a national organization and we literally are in
every single community from coast to coast. We're providing through
our local chapters a lifeline of support, whether it's our
(08:18):
support groups for individuals who've been diagnosed with the disease
or their care partners. We do caregiver education, we do
community workshops, and I think the biggest thing that I
want your listeners and viewers to note is that we
have a twenty four to seven helpline that really can
(08:38):
answer calls whenever somebody needs help or hope or just
simply an ear. And that number is eight hundred two
seven to thirty.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
Nine hundred beautiful.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
Yes, we gave that number out a lot, and when
I was thinking about it at the walk, I was like, wow,
that is so cool because when you know, maybe someone
in your family is diagnoss you feel helpless and I
think you may have seen some signs or symptoms early,
but you're still not in that place to go, well,
now what do we do?
Speaker 2 (09:10):
You know?
Speaker 1 (09:11):
So that's that's so wonderful that you the organization actually
offers that kind of twenty four hours a day help,
very very.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
Cool, and we can answer calls in over two hundred
different languages, So I think that that's also, you know,
really important to be able to meet people in a
way that they can communicate that where they feel most
comfortable to communicate right.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
Like they don't feel like they're not going to be
understood in no matter where they're at.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
That's beautiful.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
In the show intro, I kind of mentioned this stat
which is, you know, pretty staggering. Someone is diagnosed with
Alzheimer's every sixty seven seconds, and that is very very alarming.
There's so much work being done to educate the community
about this disease. What TIPS does does the Alzheimer's Association
(10:02):
really have to detect those early signs of Alzheimer's dementia,
you know, and so on? And how can our listeners
get involved in supporting?
Speaker 4 (10:12):
Okay, Well, I think that's really important because one of
the greatest gifts I think that we're giving to ourselves
and the people we love is awareness. So truly knowing
those ten early warning signs of Alzheimer's and dementia really important.
It is not just memory loss. It is not you know,
normal aging. It can be struggling to plan or solve problems.
(10:36):
You're losing track of dates or places. You're noticing changes
in mood or judgment or personality that may feel out
of character. So if you're observing any of those signs
in yourself or somebody close to you, don't ignore them.
You know, we're really urging people to get checked because
(10:57):
early diagnosis really does change everything. It does open the
door to some treatment options. There are now finally two
FDA approved medications that can slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
And dementia is an umbrella term, and Alzheimer's is the
most common form of dementia, and right now the only
(11:20):
FDA approved medications currently on the market are for Alzheimer's disease.
But you know, you want to get an early diagnosis
and what clinical trials could be open to, treatment options,
support finding resources, and in my opinion, it's having more
(11:41):
meaningful moments, you know, together with your family. That's that's
really important.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
Oh, yes, for sure. So you talked about caregivers.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
What are some questions that one should ask their provider
if they suspect maybe someone they love or even themselves
may have an early onset of Hallzheimer's.
Speaker 4 (12:04):
So I think if you're noticing some cognitive changes in
yourself or somebody that you love, you do want to
understand what's happening, right, So you're going to want to ask,
you know, your physician what could be causing these cognitive
changes that I'm noticing. Are these symptoms consistent with normal
aging or do they suggest something more serious that other
(12:24):
medical conditions? Could this memory loss look like, you know,
maybe it's a vitamin deficiency or thyroid or sleep disorders.
Evaluation and testing? So what tests will your physician use
to evaluate memory in thinking there's now blood work that
can be done or chanting imaging.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
I didn't know that, Okay.
Speaker 4 (12:45):
A neuropsychological evaluation, So what kinds of tests or evaluations
will they use? Do they need to see a specialist,
you know, a neurologist or a geriatrician, and then wanting
to understand the diagnosis and having clarity about that, what
type of dementia could this be? Remember I was mentioning
that dementia is an umbrella term, and there's three bodied dementia,
(13:09):
there's frontal temporal lobe dementia, there's vascular dementia, there's Alzheimer's disease.
You know, how will these changes be monitored over time?
You want to ask about treatment options, also planning and support, Right,
what should I be doing now to plan for the future?
Are there resources available to help clinical trials that could
(13:32):
be available? And then you know, I would I would
also just mentioned that the Alzheimer's Association is there for
any of these questions as well through you know, our
eight hundred numbers. So if you forget to ask a
question when you're at that doctor's visit, you could, you know,
contact the association. And our website as well is chock
(13:54):
full of information. It is an award winning website. So
it's alz dot org work.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
So that's another place fantastic.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
So we talked about your provider, But what about your
own circle of support, your family? How can someone start
that conversation within their own circle, because I feel like
sometimes there's a stigma, right, if this is happening and
you don't know if for sure it's maybe it is you,
how do you start that conversation with your own family?
Speaker 3 (14:26):
Right?
Speaker 4 (14:26):
It really isn't a conversation people want to have. No,
you need to a loved one about memory loss, especially
if you're noticing it in someone else, you may be
hesitant to say something. The Association released a survey a
few years ago that revealed like nearly nine in ten
Americans say they would want others to tell them if
(14:50):
they were showing signs of memory loss or thinking problems. However,
nearly three and four Americans say that talking to a
close friend or family member about memory loss or their
thinking problems would be very challenging for them. We do
have resources available on our website about having these conversations
(15:14):
and how to frame your observations in a very caring way.
You know, you might say, I value what matters to you,
and I want to make sure you know we can
get ahead of anything that we can. You're not alone
in this. You know we're going to find answers, so
all we have that on our website to be able
to have those very caring conversations.
Speaker 1 (15:36):
Yes, I love that on your award winning website. No,
that's that's fantastic. What words of encouragement do you have
for those who are diagnosed?
Speaker 2 (15:46):
Now?
Speaker 1 (15:46):
I know you've worked with many many people through the organization.
What kind of words of encouragement could you offer for
them or for a caregiver?
Speaker 4 (15:57):
I would say a diagnosis is not the end of
your story. It is a starting place for support and
planning and connection and use the resources available. We have
peer groups for individuals who've been diagnosed across the country
to connect with one another. We have online communities, there's
(16:18):
mental health support. We're here to help. And from a
caregiver perspective, your role is incredibly challenging. You are courageous,
you are deeply impactful. It is okay to ask for help.
I would say for the caregiver in particular, that it's
(16:39):
super important to take care of yourself. You want to eat,
you want to sleep, you want to exercise, you want
to take breaks, you want to watch for your stress,
because your well being also matters.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (16:55):
Are there activities that you can do to strengthen your brain.
I mean, I feel like people you see on social
media now all the time. Maybe it's just my algorithm,
but there are so many like Okay, these are great
ways to.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
Help with your you know, your.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
Brain development in as you are aging, and here's what
you can do to kind of maybe keep these kinds
of dementia away. I know that ultimately things are going
to happen, if they're going to happen, but there are
ways to strengthen your brain, right, Aren't there tips that
you can Are there any tips that you can offer?
Speaker 4 (17:31):
Yeah? One hundred percent. Well, first of all, in July
of this year, the Alzheimer's Association publish the results of
a study called the US Pointer Study, and folks can
look it up and for the first time, it truly
shows that there are things we can do to reduce
our risk of cognitive decline.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (17:52):
The other thing that's really important is I think sometimes
we think of this as an older person's disease, but
the amyloid plaque and the taw tangles that are hallmark
signs of Alzheimer's start happening decades before you know, we're
showing signs of anything, and so we definitely want to
(18:16):
promote those ten healthy habits, that's what we call them.
You know, research suggests that it may you know, lower
the risk of cognitive decline, and this US POINTER study
is really showing that it does indeed do that. So
that includes things that we we know. I mean, Evelyn,
I could give you a quiz and you probably would
guess I'll tell. But staying physically active, eating a balanced diet,
(18:43):
challenging your mind, protecting your head because traumatic brain injury
you know, can't seed to forms of dementia. Managing you know,
your blood pressure and diabetes, Quitting smoking, sleep, and then
stay socially engaged. Those are kind of those top ten
(19:05):
healthy habits that can reduce somebody's risk. We also, and
I haven't played around on it yet, so this is
hot off the presses, but we have a new evidence
based steps that we can take. It's on our website
called the Brain Health Habit Builder, and people can assess
(19:27):
their current habits and build like a personalized brain health plan.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
Oh that's cool.
Speaker 4 (19:32):
I haven't tried it yet, but I know it's on
our website and we just got notification that it that
it's been launched.
Speaker 2 (19:38):
Yeah yeah, I love that. Oh that's very neat. I'm
going to check that out. I know you, I've known you.
I know you have a family and you are very
very busy. How do you do it? How do you
keep everything balanced on a person?
Speaker 4 (19:52):
I love that you're even giving me credit for, you know, Okay, yeah,
I don't think that I that I have it all
going on, and I will say that I'm definitely as
a cancer survivor. I think that that was a wake
up call to me and my health and like nobody's
going to take care of my health. Like I'm going
to take care of my health. So, like this morning,
(20:15):
I got up. I now get up at like five
five thirty and I walk those ten thousand steps you
know every day. Today it was forty seven degrees, you know,
when I woke up, and I did not want to
go out there, but I put on like three or
four layers and my hat and my mittens and I
did go out and I got my ten thousand steps
(20:36):
this morning. I love learning, you know, new things. I
play wordle every night before I.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
Go to bed.
Speaker 4 (20:44):
It's not that hard for like those people who do
saduco and other things. It's really not very hard. But
I feel good about myself that I do it. Yeah,
social time, you know with my friends and my family
is really important. I journal as well, just to help
you know, with my mental health. So those are just
(21:04):
some of the habits. And now I've started strength training
as well. As I get into kind of that latter
part of my life.
Speaker 1 (21:14):
They say that's they'd say that's big. You got to
use weights, telling me that right now, like heavyweights.
Speaker 4 (21:22):
So I'm you know, I'm trying. It's not something I
love to do, but I know that that's going to
help me later on in life.
Speaker 2 (21:30):
Yes, no, that's great.
Speaker 1 (21:32):
And you have a daughter who's very active as well,
so probably helps you chase her around when she's playing
things like that.
Speaker 4 (21:38):
Yeah, she's now starting to drive herself this year. So oh,
she's super busy, and she's you know, she's an athlete,
and I meant her soccer games all the time, and
you know, help with schoolwork and making dinners. And you know,
I'm now trying to just delegate a little bit more.
(21:59):
I think, especially at work, as you mentioned earlier, we
have such a great team here, so making sure that
I'm delegating and then those ten healthy you know habits
the self. I encourage lots of folks you know, to
just it helps me stay grounded, energized and effective in
(22:21):
my role as mom and as you know, a leader.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
So I used to run every morning.
Speaker 1 (22:26):
We'll run, run, walk, mostly walk, but I and especially
when I was.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
Like training for the different things I was doing.
Speaker 1 (22:34):
But I got out of the habit, and when I
got out of the habit, it was really hard for
me to get back out into it.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
So I'm like super impressed by you right now, did
you get yourself outside to do it?
Speaker 1 (22:46):
Because it feels so good when you get back in
right like all of a sudden, you're.
Speaker 2 (22:51):
Like, oh my gosh, I know why I do that
every morning, because I would get done, Like.
Speaker 4 (22:55):
Even when I don't want to do it, if I
don't want to go in the gym, all go and
just stretch. If I have those days, just that atomic
habit of getting from my house to the gym, and
most of the times, if I can get there, you know.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
All you'll be all in, I'll do it.
Speaker 4 (23:19):
I'll do the work out. But yeah, I totally get
you there.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
I told myself.
Speaker 1 (23:24):
I was like, no, no, no, like, we got to
get back into that because that's the one missing piece
for me right now. I've been doing really good on
a few things and then I'm like, I need to
get back outside and do what I was doing before
because it felt so so good and it's good for
your brain.
Speaker 4 (23:37):
It's good for your brain. What's good for your heart,
it's good for your brain.
Speaker 1 (23:41):
Yes, Oh, that's a good way to think of it too, right,
because they do they do work together.
Speaker 2 (23:48):
Well.
Speaker 1 (23:48):
Before we go, I want to talk about the walk
briefly too. It was very special to see that walk.
So we were both of Chica just like a few
weeks ago, and I had never seen the Aul's Walk before.
I have been around like it before because we both have.
You work with Cindy, and I've known Cindy for many
years and she's She's brought me into many of her activities.
Speaker 2 (24:13):
This walk seemed very special.
Speaker 1 (24:14):
Was it?
Speaker 2 (24:14):
Did you break records with this? There was a lot
of people there.
Speaker 4 (24:18):
Yeah, we you know, the association has like six hundred
and thirty walks across the that happened in the fall,
and in my chapter in Orange County we have three
we do three walks and so um seed our walk
at Bolsa Chica at Honeyton. But collectively with the three walks,
we raised well over a million dollars, which is, you know,
(24:40):
we raised a new record and collectively we had probably
about five thousand people in total at all you know,
three walks. It is the number three walk run in
all of Orange County, ranked by the Orange County Business Journal.
Speaker 2 (24:57):
Nice.
Speaker 4 (24:58):
Yeah, and it really is. Is just this big support
group and great feeling. You got choked up, I could
say it did, and you were on the stage.
Speaker 1 (25:11):
Yeah, it was so special and it was so sweet
because then you guys have the fuller tin flashers. Oh,
that was the cutest thing I'd ever seen. It was
a flash mob of senior citizens. I was not expecting it,
and it was awesome.
Speaker 2 (25:26):
It was adorable.
Speaker 1 (25:27):
They're adorable, absolutely, but it was very special and so
I highly recommend if anybody wants to get involved. That's
a great way to see what the Alzheimer's Association is about,
learn about them, see what the community is doing, and
then get out there. And walk with them because it
was very very cool. Let's talk about that volunteering aspect
(25:48):
very quickly.
Speaker 2 (25:49):
How can people get involved?
Speaker 4 (25:52):
Would love for people to get involved. I mean, we
have high level volunteer opportunities in all of our chapters,
So we need community educators. We need people to you know,
support events like that. Didn't happen. The walk didn't happen
just with the eleven staff members that I had, literally
took hundreds of volunteers, you know, to pull that off.
(26:15):
If people have a mission connection or maybe are in
medical school, we use advocates volunteer advocates to share their
story up in Sacramento or in Washington, d C. So
they come with us in the summer or the spring.
So we're looking for people willing to share their story.
And then I'm going to put this out there as well,
(26:37):
that we have a trial match program and participating in
a clinical trial is really important. We need people to
volunteer and participate and explore opportunities to take part in
clinical trials. And so we have a trial match program
where people can learn, you know, more about that and
it's not always like an invasive type of clinical trial
(27:01):
or where they're using a drug. It could be like
we were talking about the US Pointer study where it
has to do with risk reduction and you know, healthy habits.
So they're all different kinds of clinical trials. And so
that's another another place. And connect with your local Alzheimer's
Association chapter. You can go on to alz dot org
(27:25):
and and find a chapter you know that corresponds to
the community that you're looking to volunteer in.
Speaker 1 (27:31):
Fantastic I highly recommend it. Volunteering changed my life. I
will tell you that. Like I think about that all
the time.
Speaker 3 (27:37):
I go.
Speaker 2 (27:37):
Once it's got involved, I fool I was NonStop.
Speaker 4 (27:40):
Wood yeah with you and like these past two organizations
and you're a powerhouse.
Speaker 2 (27:47):
Oh thank you.
Speaker 1 (27:48):
And I'm raising powerhouses because my daughter got involved too.
Speaker 4 (27:51):
Now she's incredible. She is incredible.
Speaker 2 (27:55):
Thank you. No, it's fun, you know what. It didn't
take much.
Speaker 1 (27:59):
It's like and you do things and your kids see
you doing things and then they want to do it.
So it's all just like a really fun snowball effect.
Speaker 2 (28:08):
Very cool.
Speaker 4 (28:09):
Well, and they have a great mom like you.
Speaker 2 (28:12):
Thanks well.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
Before we go, I want to I always end with
this last question. You've given us so much information all
very valuable. But what do you feel are the three
big takeaways? Three key takeaways that you really hope that
anybody that was listening today will will take with them,
maybe right down and share with others.
Speaker 2 (28:33):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (28:34):
Number one, early detection matters, So know those early warning signs,
see a doctor, advocate for yourself. That's number one. Number two,
we can take action right now no matter where you
are in life, like those healthy lifestyle habits, community engagement, volunteering.
Every person can be part of the solution. And I
(28:57):
would say number three that if you are living with
a form of dementia, or you're caring for somebody, or
you've lost somebody, I just want to say, you're not alone.
The Association's network resources community, we're here to support you
every step of the way.
Speaker 1 (29:16):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (29:17):
Oh good takeaways, dab.
Speaker 3 (29:21):
So good.
Speaker 1 (29:22):
Well, thank you so much for sharing your story, your journey,
and also all of this valuable information about the Alzheimer's Association.
Thank you for what you're doing in our community. I
saw it firsthand. It's making a difference people. People are
happy to see that you are doing this, So we
appreciate you, and I appreciate your time thank you.
Speaker 4 (29:42):
I appreciate you too. I appreciate everything that you're doing
and your family's doing in community. So thank you, Evelyn.
Speaker 2 (29:48):
Oh, thanks deb I'll see you soon.
Hi, Welcome back to another episode of Covering Your Health,
presented by IEHP and hosted by me Evelyna Reeves. I'm
so happy to see you here and that you have
joined us for a very special episode. I say that
every time, but really I feel that way. Every episode
is so special. There's so much to learn from some
of our great partners in the community and people that
(00:23):
are doing good, and I really feel like this is
going to be a good one for you to stick
around for. Today, we are diving into all things brain
health with a very special guest and friend of mine,
Deborah Levy. She's the executive director of the Alzheimer's Association.
We're going to dive into ways to keep your brain
happy and healthy and the early signs and symptoms of
(00:48):
Alzheimer's and dementia, and that really bittersweet, the really bittersweet
fun that we recently had participating in the annual Walk
to End Alzheimer's. We did that on November eighth and
Huntington Beach. It was bittersweet, it was beautiful, it was heartbreaking,
and it was something so special. So I can't wait
to talk to you all about that. Every sixty seven seconds,
(01:12):
someone in America develops Alzheimer's, and today more than seven
million are living with the disease. By twenty fifty, that
number is expected to rise to nearly thirteen million, according
to the Alzheimer's Association. Despite these alarming statistics, we are
on a path to finding a cure thanks to organizations
(01:33):
like the Alzheimer's Association and platforms like this as to
serve as a way to educate really the public and
the share the importance about keeping active, what ways we
can support our loved ones who are diagnosed, and resources
available to our amazing caregiver community.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
So let's get started, shall we. Let's welcome Debra.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Welcome to Covering Your Health, a wellness podcast dedicated to
covering all areas of living a healthy and happy lifestyle,
from healthy hearts to understanding health plans and everything in between.
Each episode will provide you with a better understanding of
managing your health, preventative care, and staying on the right
path for your family's wellness journey. The Covering Your Health
(02:20):
podcast is presented by I E HP Now your host
Evelina Revez.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Welcome, Debrah, how are you?
Speaker 4 (02:29):
I'm great? It's so lovely to see you. I'm not
sure if your listeners know that you am seed one
of our big events.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
I know I don't.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Well, I kind of mentioned a little bit about it,
But we do need to talk about that because you
and I actually have known each other a long time,
even before the walk, So we need a chat about that,
for sure. I'm very excited that I was able to
get you on here, especially since that event just took
place a few weeks ago and we are fresh off of,
you know, off of the walk and the excitement of
(02:59):
that day. But before we get into that, I want
to talk about you. You have a story. You tell
everyone about yourself, let them know who you are, and
how did you get into this line of work? Did
that start when you were very young? Did you say,
you know what nonprofit work? That's where I want to be.
Speaker 4 (03:19):
No, you know, just like you, I was a television
news anchor when I first graduated from UCLA. I started
in television broadcast news and worked in Missouri and then
Florida and then Nevada, and then had an incredible opportunity
to run a nonprofit that was very near and dear
(03:39):
to my heart, which was Ronald McDonald Hou's Charities and
so I left television and said I could do anything
for a year, and you know, more than almost two
decades later, you know, now I'm still a nonprofit leadership
currently right now, my role is I'm with the Alzheimer's
Association and I'm the executive director for the Orange County Chapter.
(04:02):
And you know, it is a very deeply personal mission.
Like many of your listeners and viewers, I've seen a
lot of people that I love navigate the challenges of
Alzheimer's and kind of what I do in my role
now is I'm leading our chapter's efforts when it comes
to advocacy, work, care and support to individuals who are
(04:25):
dealing with dementia, our community education, our community outreach. I
work with an incredible team to connect people impacted by
Alzheimer's or another form of dementia with the resources that
they need. And you know, we're always pushing forward for
research and prevention.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Yeah. I love that.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
So, Okay, can you tell me, just because I don't
think I know this answer, how many nonprofits have you
worked with? Because you've done some really incredible work in
those two decades.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
Yeah, So in terms of like working for the non space.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Now you've done a lot more besides that.
Speaker 4 (05:03):
Ronald McDonald Hou's Charities and then United Cerebral Palsy of
Orange County. I was their president CEO. They have since
folded with Children's Hospital of Orange County and Rady Children's
out of San Diego. Then you and I met when
I was with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. I'm also a
(05:24):
blood cancer survivor and so that, you know, cause was
very near and dear to my heart. And then during COVID,
I moved over to the Alzheimer's Association. I've been here
for almost five years and I absolutely love it.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
Oh and you've got a great team there too. I
have to compliment you everybody that I got to a
meet and like just they seem so happy to be
doing what they're doing.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
They are, yeah, very small, but mighty team. I mean
we're really a volunteer led organization, so very small staff
were really le by volunteers from like everything from our
advocates who are going to Sacramento and to Washington.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
D C.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
To you know, our community educators who are teaching about
brain health you know out in the community. Our support
groups they're run by you know, volunteer support group facilitators. Yeah,
it's really an incredible organization.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
It really is.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
That's that's fantastic. I love I love volunteer led organizations.
I think that's my where my heart is too, because
when I fell in love with volunteering. You know, it's
one of those things where you're like, oh, I don't
know why everybody doesn't do this, Like I don't. I
don't understand, because once you get in, you are in
(06:44):
and you really feel empowered to help, and that is
really very cool.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
Yeah, so now do we have you with the Alzheimer's Associations.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
You got me, gl you got me.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
I already told Cindy and I told my husband that day.
I was like, I want to do this again. That
was super fun. That was really really really cool. Everybody
was just so great. Oh it's so nice. Well, there
are many chapters of the Alzheimer's Association across the country.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Can you tell me a little bit about the work
that the Association does.
Speaker 4 (07:12):
Yeah, so I'm going to talk a little bit about
how we lead sure, and then all go into like
kind of what we do how we lead. We are driven,
you know, by a single urgent purpose to end Alzheimer's
in all other dementia period exclamation point. You know, we're
pursuing this mission with determination, clearly with heart. We're accelerating
(07:34):
research globally. We want to advance early detection, and we
truly want to empower individuals and families to reduce their
risk and protect their brain health. So we're partnering with
healthcare systems, with public health agencies, with community organizations to
ensure you know that families are receiving the guidance and
(07:54):
resources and the compassionate care you know that they deserve.
And so what we're delivering in communities across the country,
because we're a national organization and we literally are in
every single community from coast to coast. We're providing through
our local chapters a lifeline of support, whether it's our
(08:18):
support groups for individuals who've been diagnosed with the disease
or their care partners. We do caregiver education, we do
community workshops, and I think the biggest thing that I
want your listeners and viewers to note is that we
have a twenty four to seven helpline that really can
(08:38):
answer calls whenever somebody needs help or hope or just
simply an ear. And that number is eight hundred two
seven to thirty.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
Nine hundred beautiful.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
Yes, we gave that number out a lot, and when
I was thinking about it at the walk, I was like, wow,
that is so cool because when you know, maybe someone
in your family is diagnoss you feel helpless and I
think you may have seen some signs or symptoms early,
but you're still not in that place to go, well,
now what do we do?
Speaker 2 (09:10):
You know?
Speaker 1 (09:11):
So that's that's so wonderful that you the organization actually
offers that kind of twenty four hours a day help,
very very.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
Cool, and we can answer calls in over two hundred
different languages, So I think that that's also, you know,
really important to be able to meet people in a
way that they can communicate that where they feel most
comfortable to communicate right.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
Like they don't feel like they're not going to be
understood in no matter where they're at.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
That's beautiful.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
In the show intro, I kind of mentioned this stat
which is, you know, pretty staggering. Someone is diagnosed with
Alzheimer's every sixty seven seconds, and that is very very alarming.
There's so much work being done to educate the community
about this disease. What TIPS does does the Alzheimer's Association
(10:02):
really have to detect those early signs of Alzheimer's dementia,
you know, and so on? And how can our listeners
get involved in supporting?
Speaker 4 (10:12):
Okay, Well, I think that's really important because one of
the greatest gifts I think that we're giving to ourselves
and the people we love is awareness. So truly knowing
those ten early warning signs of Alzheimer's and dementia really important.
It is not just memory loss. It is not you know,
normal aging. It can be struggling to plan or solve problems.
(10:36):
You're losing track of dates or places. You're noticing changes
in mood or judgment or personality that may feel out
of character. So if you're observing any of those signs
in yourself or somebody close to you, don't ignore them.
You know, we're really urging people to get checked because
(10:57):
early diagnosis really does change everything. It does open the
door to some treatment options. There are now finally two
FDA approved medications that can slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
And dementia is an umbrella term, and Alzheimer's is the
most common form of dementia, and right now the only
(11:20):
FDA approved medications currently on the market are for Alzheimer's disease.
But you know, you want to get an early diagnosis
and what clinical trials could be open to, treatment options,
support finding resources, and in my opinion, it's having more
(11:41):
meaningful moments, you know, together with your family. That's that's
really important.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
Oh, yes, for sure. So you talked about caregivers.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
What are some questions that one should ask their provider
if they suspect maybe someone they love or even themselves
may have an early onset of Hallzheimer's.
Speaker 4 (12:04):
So I think if you're noticing some cognitive changes in
yourself or somebody that you love, you do want to
understand what's happening, right, So you're going to want to ask,
you know, your physician what could be causing these cognitive
changes that I'm noticing. Are these symptoms consistent with normal
aging or do they suggest something more serious that other
(12:24):
medical conditions? Could this memory loss look like, you know,
maybe it's a vitamin deficiency or thyroid or sleep disorders.
Evaluation and testing? So what tests will your physician use
to evaluate memory in thinking there's now blood work that
can be done or chanting imaging.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
I didn't know that, Okay.
Speaker 4 (12:45):
A neuropsychological evaluation, So what kinds of tests or evaluations
will they use? Do they need to see a specialist,
you know, a neurologist or a geriatrician, and then wanting
to understand the diagnosis and having clarity about that, what
type of dementia could this be? Remember I was mentioning
that dementia is an umbrella term, and there's three bodied dementia,
(13:09):
there's frontal temporal lobe dementia, there's vascular dementia, there's Alzheimer's disease.
You know, how will these changes be monitored over time?
You want to ask about treatment options, also planning and support, Right,
what should I be doing now to plan for the future?
Are there resources available to help clinical trials that could
(13:32):
be available? And then you know, I would I would
also just mentioned that the Alzheimer's Association is there for
any of these questions as well through you know, our
eight hundred numbers. So if you forget to ask a
question when you're at that doctor's visit, you could, you know,
contact the association. And our website as well is chock
(13:54):
full of information. It is an award winning website. So
it's alz dot org work.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
So that's another place fantastic.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
So we talked about your provider, But what about your
own circle of support, your family? How can someone start
that conversation within their own circle, because I feel like
sometimes there's a stigma, right, if this is happening and
you don't know if for sure it's maybe it is you,
how do you start that conversation with your own family?
Speaker 3 (14:26):
Right?
Speaker 4 (14:26):
It really isn't a conversation people want to have. No,
you need to a loved one about memory loss, especially
if you're noticing it in someone else, you may be
hesitant to say something. The Association released a survey a
few years ago that revealed like nearly nine in ten
Americans say they would want others to tell them if
(14:50):
they were showing signs of memory loss or thinking problems. However,
nearly three and four Americans say that talking to a
close friend or family member about memory loss or their
thinking problems would be very challenging for them. We do
have resources available on our website about having these conversations
(15:14):
and how to frame your observations in a very caring way.
You know, you might say, I value what matters to you,
and I want to make sure you know we can
get ahead of anything that we can. You're not alone
in this. You know we're going to find answers, so
all we have that on our website to be able
to have those very caring conversations.
Speaker 1 (15:36):
Yes, I love that on your award winning website. No,
that's that's fantastic. What words of encouragement do you have
for those who are diagnosed?
Speaker 2 (15:46):
Now?
Speaker 1 (15:46):
I know you've worked with many many people through the organization.
What kind of words of encouragement could you offer for
them or for a caregiver?
Speaker 4 (15:57):
I would say a diagnosis is not the end of
your story. It is a starting place for support and
planning and connection and use the resources available. We have
peer groups for individuals who've been diagnosed across the country
to connect with one another. We have online communities, there's
(16:18):
mental health support. We're here to help. And from a
caregiver perspective, your role is incredibly challenging. You are courageous,
you are deeply impactful. It is okay to ask for help.
I would say for the caregiver in particular, that it's
(16:39):
super important to take care of yourself. You want to eat,
you want to sleep, you want to exercise, you want
to take breaks, you want to watch for your stress,
because your well being also matters.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (16:55):
Are there activities that you can do to strengthen your brain.
I mean, I feel like people you see on social
media now all the time. Maybe it's just my algorithm,
but there are so many like Okay, these are great
ways to.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
Help with your you know, your.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
Brain development in as you are aging, and here's what
you can do to kind of maybe keep these kinds
of dementia away. I know that ultimately things are going
to happen, if they're going to happen, but there are
ways to strengthen your brain, right, Aren't there tips that
you can Are there any tips that you can offer?
Speaker 4 (17:31):
Yeah? One hundred percent. Well, first of all, in July
of this year, the Alzheimer's Association publish the results of
a study called the US Pointer Study, and folks can
look it up and for the first time, it truly
shows that there are things we can do to reduce
our risk of cognitive decline.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (17:52):
The other thing that's really important is I think sometimes
we think of this as an older person's disease, but
the amyloid plaque and the taw tangles that are hallmark
signs of Alzheimer's start happening decades before you know, we're
showing signs of anything, and so we definitely want to
(18:16):
promote those ten healthy habits, that's what we call them.
You know, research suggests that it may you know, lower
the risk of cognitive decline, and this US POINTER study
is really showing that it does indeed do that. So
that includes things that we we know. I mean, Evelyn,
I could give you a quiz and you probably would
guess I'll tell. But staying physically active, eating a balanced diet,
(18:43):
challenging your mind, protecting your head because traumatic brain injury
you know, can't seed to forms of dementia. Managing you know,
your blood pressure and diabetes, Quitting smoking, sleep, and then
stay socially engaged. Those are kind of those top ten
(19:05):
healthy habits that can reduce somebody's risk. We also, and
I haven't played around on it yet, so this is
hot off the presses, but we have a new evidence
based steps that we can take. It's on our website
called the Brain Health Habit Builder, and people can assess
(19:27):
their current habits and build like a personalized brain health plan.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
Oh that's cool.
Speaker 4 (19:32):
I haven't tried it yet, but I know it's on
our website and we just got notification that it that
it's been launched.
Speaker 2 (19:38):
Yeah yeah, I love that. Oh that's very neat. I'm
going to check that out. I know you, I've known you.
I know you have a family and you are very
very busy. How do you do it? How do you
keep everything balanced on a person?
Speaker 4 (19:52):
I love that you're even giving me credit for, you know, Okay, yeah,
I don't think that I that I have it all
going on, and I will say that I'm definitely as
a cancer survivor. I think that that was a wake
up call to me and my health and like nobody's
going to take care of my health. Like I'm going
to take care of my health. So, like this morning,
(20:15):
I got up. I now get up at like five
five thirty and I walk those ten thousand steps you
know every day. Today it was forty seven degrees, you know,
when I woke up, and I did not want to
go out there, but I put on like three or
four layers and my hat and my mittens and I
did go out and I got my ten thousand steps
(20:36):
this morning. I love learning, you know, new things. I
play wordle every night before I.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
Go to bed.
Speaker 4 (20:44):
It's not that hard for like those people who do
saduco and other things. It's really not very hard. But
I feel good about myself that I do it. Yeah,
social time, you know with my friends and my family
is really important. I journal as well, just to help
you know, with my mental health. So those are just
(21:04):
some of the habits. And now I've started strength training
as well. As I get into kind of that latter
part of my life.
Speaker 1 (21:14):
They say that's they'd say that's big. You got to
use weights, telling me that right now, like heavyweights.
Speaker 4 (21:22):
So I'm you know, I'm trying. It's not something I
love to do, but I know that that's going to
help me later on in life.
Speaker 2 (21:30):
Yes, no, that's great.
Speaker 1 (21:32):
And you have a daughter who's very active as well,
so probably helps you chase her around when she's playing
things like that.
Speaker 4 (21:38):
Yeah, she's now starting to drive herself this year. So oh,
she's super busy, and she's you know, she's an athlete,
and I meant her soccer games all the time, and
you know, help with schoolwork and making dinners. And you know,
I'm now trying to just delegate a little bit more.
(21:59):
I think, especially at work, as you mentioned earlier, we
have such a great team here, so making sure that
I'm delegating and then those ten healthy you know habits
the self. I encourage lots of folks you know, to
just it helps me stay grounded, energized and effective in
(22:21):
my role as mom and as you know, a leader.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
So I used to run every morning.
Speaker 1 (22:26):
We'll run, run, walk, mostly walk, but I and especially
when I was.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
Like training for the different things I was doing.
Speaker 1 (22:34):
But I got out of the habit, and when I
got out of the habit, it was really hard for
me to get back out into it.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
So I'm like super impressed by you right now, did
you get yourself outside to do it?
Speaker 1 (22:46):
Because it feels so good when you get back in
right like all of a sudden, you're.
Speaker 2 (22:51):
Like, oh my gosh, I know why I do that
every morning, because I would get done, Like.
Speaker 4 (22:55):
Even when I don't want to do it, if I
don't want to go in the gym, all go and
just stretch. If I have those days, just that atomic
habit of getting from my house to the gym, and
most of the times, if I can get there, you know.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
All you'll be all in, I'll do it.
Speaker 4 (23:19):
I'll do the work out. But yeah, I totally get
you there.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
I told myself.
Speaker 1 (23:24):
I was like, no, no, no, like, we got to
get back into that because that's the one missing piece
for me right now. I've been doing really good on
a few things and then I'm like, I need to
get back outside and do what I was doing before
because it felt so so good and it's good for
your brain.
Speaker 4 (23:37):
It's good for your brain. What's good for your heart,
it's good for your brain.
Speaker 1 (23:41):
Yes, Oh, that's a good way to think of it too, right,
because they do they do work together.
Speaker 2 (23:48):
Well.
Speaker 1 (23:48):
Before we go, I want to talk about the walk
briefly too. It was very special to see that walk.
So we were both of Chica just like a few
weeks ago, and I had never seen the Aul's Walk before.
I have been around like it before because we both have.
You work with Cindy, and I've known Cindy for many
years and she's She's brought me into many of her activities.
Speaker 2 (24:13):
This walk seemed very special.
Speaker 1 (24:14):
Was it?
Speaker 2 (24:14):
Did you break records with this? There was a lot
of people there.
Speaker 4 (24:18):
Yeah, we you know, the association has like six hundred
and thirty walks across the that happened in the fall,
and in my chapter in Orange County we have three
we do three walks and so um seed our walk
at Bolsa Chica at Honeyton. But collectively with the three walks,
we raised well over a million dollars, which is, you know,
(24:40):
we raised a new record and collectively we had probably
about five thousand people in total at all you know,
three walks. It is the number three walk run in
all of Orange County, ranked by the Orange County Business Journal.
Speaker 2 (24:57):
Nice.
Speaker 4 (24:58):
Yeah, and it really is. Is just this big support
group and great feeling. You got choked up, I could
say it did, and you were on the stage.
Speaker 1 (25:11):
Yeah, it was so special and it was so sweet
because then you guys have the fuller tin flashers. Oh,
that was the cutest thing I'd ever seen. It was
a flash mob of senior citizens. I was not expecting it,
and it was awesome.
Speaker 2 (25:26):
It was adorable.
Speaker 1 (25:27):
They're adorable, absolutely, but it was very special and so
I highly recommend if anybody wants to get involved. That's
a great way to see what the Alzheimer's Association is about,
learn about them, see what the community is doing, and
then get out there. And walk with them because it
was very very cool. Let's talk about that volunteering aspect
(25:48):
very quickly.
Speaker 2 (25:49):
How can people get involved?
Speaker 4 (25:52):
Would love for people to get involved. I mean, we
have high level volunteer opportunities in all of our chapters,
So we need community educators. We need people to you know,
support events like that. Didn't happen. The walk didn't happen
just with the eleven staff members that I had, literally
took hundreds of volunteers, you know, to pull that off.
(26:15):
If people have a mission connection or maybe are in
medical school, we use advocates volunteer advocates to share their
story up in Sacramento or in Washington, d C. So
they come with us in the summer or the spring.
So we're looking for people willing to share their story.
And then I'm going to put this out there as well,
(26:37):
that we have a trial match program and participating in
a clinical trial is really important. We need people to
volunteer and participate and explore opportunities to take part in
clinical trials. And so we have a trial match program
where people can learn, you know, more about that and
it's not always like an invasive type of clinical trial
(27:01):
or where they're using a drug. It could be like
we were talking about the US Pointer study where it
has to do with risk reduction and you know, healthy habits.
So they're all different kinds of clinical trials. And so
that's another another place. And connect with your local Alzheimer's
Association chapter. You can go on to alz dot org
(27:25):
and and find a chapter you know that corresponds to
the community that you're looking to volunteer in.
Speaker 1 (27:31):
Fantastic I highly recommend it. Volunteering changed my life. I
will tell you that. Like I think about that all
the time.
Speaker 3 (27:37):
I go.
Speaker 2 (27:37):
Once it's got involved, I fool I was NonStop.
Speaker 4 (27:40):
Wood yeah with you and like these past two organizations
and you're a powerhouse.
Speaker 2 (27:47):
Oh thank you.
Speaker 1 (27:48):
And I'm raising powerhouses because my daughter got involved too.
Speaker 4 (27:51):
Now she's incredible. She is incredible.
Speaker 2 (27:55):
Thank you. No, it's fun, you know what. It didn't
take much.
Speaker 1 (27:59):
It's like and you do things and your kids see
you doing things and then they want to do it.
So it's all just like a really fun snowball effect.
Speaker 2 (28:08):
Very cool.
Speaker 4 (28:09):
Well, and they have a great mom like you.
Speaker 2 (28:12):
Thanks well.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
Before we go, I want to I always end with
this last question. You've given us so much information all
very valuable. But what do you feel are the three
big takeaways? Three key takeaways that you really hope that
anybody that was listening today will will take with them,
maybe right down and share with others.
Speaker 2 (28:33):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (28:34):
Number one, early detection matters, So know those early warning signs,
see a doctor, advocate for yourself. That's number one. Number two,
we can take action right now no matter where you
are in life, like those healthy lifestyle habits, community engagement, volunteering.
Every person can be part of the solution. And I
(28:57):
would say number three that if you are living with
a form of dementia, or you're caring for somebody, or
you've lost somebody, I just want to say, you're not alone.
The Association's network resources community, we're here to support you
every step of the way.
Speaker 1 (29:16):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (29:17):
Oh good takeaways, dab.
Speaker 3 (29:21):
So good.
Speaker 1 (29:22):
Well, thank you so much for sharing your story, your journey,
and also all of this valuable information about the Alzheimer's Association.
Thank you for what you're doing in our community. I
saw it firsthand. It's making a difference people. People are
happy to see that you are doing this, So we
appreciate you, and I appreciate your time thank you.
Speaker 4 (29:42):
I appreciate you too. I appreciate everything that you're doing
and your family's doing in community. So thank you, Evelyn.
Speaker 2 (29:48):
Oh, thanks deb I'll see you soon.
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