The holiday season is supposed to be filled with joy, celebration, and togetherness – but for families impacted by Alzheimer’s, it can also bring added stress, emotional strain, and uncertainty. For many caregivers, this time of year may feel more overwhelming than uplifting. “As the holidays approach, we’re shining a light on the unique challenges […]
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By Sarah Osment Alzheimer’s has woven itself into the fabric of June Lederle’s family story – touching generations and reshaping lives. Her daughter-in-law, Ellen, lost her mother to the disease. Ellen’s oldest sister was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer’s at 58. Then, in 2019, June’s own daughter, Cathie, received the same diagnosis – at the very […]
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When you hear the nickname “Jazzy Jan,” you can’t help but smile. It evokes energy, warmth, and a spark of joy – all of which perfectly describe the woman behind the name. Jan Codd was a vibrant soul, a beloved mother, and an elementary school teacher whose love for children never dimmed, even as Alzheimer’s […]
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For Walter Nowicki, the earliest sign of his mother’s cognitive decline came during a cherished family ritual: playing cards. His parents, lifelong New Jersey residents, loved poker and blackjack. Every visit to Winston-Salem, NC with their grandsons, Robert and Michael, began with a deck of cards and a game for pennies. “It was a ritual,” […]
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By Sarah Osment Brian Garrison’s parents, Allen and Linda, had lived in his childhood home in Morganton, North Carolina, since he and his brother, Keith, were young. “They were first loves in a faithful marriage of 53 years,” said Brian. His dad was called to serve in Vietnam, where he earned a Purple Heart. When […]
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By Sarah Osment Alzheimer’s is not a stranger in my household. Growing up, I remember 15-minute car rides with my Nanny, Lillian Lacy, where she would comment, “The corn sure is getting high,” no less than 15 times. (My parents live near Mennonite farms.) I remember the emotions of moving my grandparents to a home […]
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Bobby Eddleman is an only child, raised by parents who lived for him. “No matter what, I was the most important person in the room when it came to my mom’s attention growing up,” he says. His mother, Helen, worked alongside his father as a brick mason, laid bricks herself, and later cared for her […]
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The colors of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Promise Garden flowers symbolize the shared experiences of those affected by Alzheimer’s. They offer a way for people to connect and feel part of a community that understands the challenges of living with the disease, supporting a loved one, or grieving a loss. For Jennifer Green, this […]
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When Lee Ann Luman of Hickory looks back on her childhood, she feels tremendously proud of her mother, Winifred Thurkill. Life wasn’t always easy, but her mother provided Lee Ann and her sister Becky with an idyllic childhood, instilling faith-based values and a strong work ethic to serve others that both sisters uphold today. When […]
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“Imagine: You can’t remember your own child’s name, or even your own name. You can’t express your need to use the restroom or even explain that your chest hurts,” begins Tommy Macon of Fayetteville, NC. “This is the daily reality for those living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia.” For Tommy’s family, this wasn’t just a […]
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Alzheimer's Association North Carolina Blog 