Why I Walk to End Alzheimer's

Sure, I work for the Alzheimer's Association, but what's behind my participation in the Walk to End Alzheimer's? Here's my story. 

I started college knowing I wanted to be a social worker. I was not interested in the aging field of social work. Kids...I wanted to work with kids! I had so many wonderful memories and experiences from being active in my church youth group and youth ministry I wanted to continue this path and work with kids. Through the Winona State Social Work program we were asked to go outside of our comfort zone and do a field experience with a population that we didn't think we wanted to work with. I chose to volunteer in an assisted living and nursing facility with older adults. The experience changed my life.

On a weekly basis, I would visit residents to talk and engage in activities. I quickly realized that working with older adults was my calling. One of the units I was asked to visit was the memory care. I can honestly say I loved every unit experience that I had, however the memory care unit became my favorite. I found that memory loss intrigued and fascinated me. How quickly a conversation can be forgotten, or redirected - sometimes easily...sometimes not. How the same story never got old. How every time I was a new person coming to visit, or at best, someone that they recognized and knew was friendly. I learned so much and easily began to treasure my time with the residents of the unit because it was so much more meaningful to me than just a field experience. They shared their life experiences with me, and I was humbled to be the friendly visitor in their lives. 

 

I went on to do my practicum senior year in a hospital. Though I thoroughly enjoyed this experience, there were not the multitude of moments that left my mind to question or my heart to swell quite like my time working in the nursing facility. I quickly realized that working with older adults was my calling.

I graduated and later got a in a nursing facility memory care unit. I was back in my element...a world that I somehow understand so well. My heart misses the residents on the unit because you got to know them all so well - and their families! After what seemed like only a short period of time, the needs of the social work department sent me to short term rehab. But my heart was on the memory care unit and I was often asked or offering to assist as needed. After a couple years of scheduling conflicts I was able to participate in my first Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk (renamed to the current Walk to End Alzheimer's). After walking the planned course with my then co-workers and crossing the finish line, I had the distinct feeling that I wanted to work for the Alzheimer's Association...the feeling was honestly so strong the thought "dream job" came to my mind. I wanted to be a part of the fight against memory loss! A couple months later an opening with the Alzheimer's Association came up...

...And here I am. Months away from my 4th anniversary with the Alzheimer's Association. I talk daily with people on our 24/7 Helpline and in care consultations with people affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementia's. People diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia's themselves, caregivers, care partners, family members, neighbors, friends, community members, nurses, doctors, students...answering questions, educating about the disease and providing support and suggestions for how to reduce stress and find community resources. There is no question or need that is off limits. To me my job is so much more than a job. I leave every day from work knowing that I made a difference in someones life in the work that I do, but even larger, in the work that the Alzheimer's Association does. 

So, going back to my question of why do I Walk? I Walk for family members and friends. I Walk for the thousands of individuals and families that I have worked with in the past, and I Walk for the ones I will in the future. I Walk with a cause. I Walk with a fight. I Walk with a passion. I Walk to End Alzheimer's.

Donate to my Walk to End Alzheimer's page (http://act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk2014/MN-Minnesota-NorthDakota?px=6164590&pg=personal&fr_id=5206) to help advance the Alzheimer's Association's care, support and research efforts, which helps us move closer to a world without Alzheimer's disease.