Exciting events are dashing through our town, items that will captivate your brain and energize your soul. Each is gratifying for individuals, families, and friends who are affected by Alzheimer's disease. With five million people already diagnosed and many more suffering through the protracted stages, it is a disease that we all need to learn more about and then act diligently to educate and eventually destroy this monster. While "big" things are happening in large cities and research labs, I think the true work comes from dedicated folks like you who live in a town where people care about each other. One of the findings of the Nevada Task Force on Alzheimer's disease is that those who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and other dementias live longer and better when they are nurtured in communities like ours.
Alive Inside is an independent film created by City Drive Films. Scott Cherhoniak is a writer and promoter who I worked with to get this presentation to Winnemucca. I have been searching for a film that advances the exposure of Alzheimer's so that more people throughout the world will get shook up enough to demand money for research and more qualified care for those who face this awful disease. According to advanced publicity "Alive Inside is a joyous cinematic exploration of music's capacity to reawaken our souls and uncover the deepest parts of our humanity. Filmmaker Michael Rossato-Bennett chronicles the astonishing experiences of individuals around the country who have been revitalized through the simple experience of listening to music. His camera reveals the uniquely human connection we find in music and how its healing power can triumph where prescription medication falls short. This stirring documentary follows social worker Dan Cohen, founder of the nonprofit organization Music & Memory, as he fights against a broken healthcare system to demonstrate music's ability to combat memory loss and restore a deep sense of self to those suffering from it. An uplifting cinematic exploration of music and the mind, Alive Inside's inspirational and emotional story left audiences humming, clapping and cheering at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award." Could we ask for more?
Thanks to funds from the Winnemucca Alzheimer's Support Group and our Alzheimer's Awareness event last January, Humboldt General Hospital, and Humboldt Volunteer Hospice, this film premieres twice on Nov. 12 and once on the 13th. The Nov. 12 viewings occur at 1 p.m. at Humboldt General Hospital in the Sarah Winnemucca Room and that evening at the Humboldt County Library at 7 p.m. The third presentation is scheduled for the Pleasant Senior Center at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13. A $5 donation is requested. This money will be used to pay for the film, to provide respite to families in need, and to bring more education opportunities to us. Winnemuccans are looking out for our community and citizens.
Also in November is the Up and ATTA 'Em Turkey Trot to be held Thanksgiving morning. Beginning at Lowry at 8 a.m. - get up and get your exercise done!! - the event includes a 3K, 5K, and 8K. With music, cheers, thrilling announcing, exciting run/walk leaders, snacks and more, it is a perfect family celebration. Fee for sign-up is $25 and includes a fantastic long-sleeved T-shirt in Alzheimer's purple. All proceeds will funnel to our respite and education fund. Your donation helps members of our community as we work to solve the mystery and then eradicate this horrendous disease. You can call or email me or visit my Alzheimer's website to learn more.
The Nevada Task Force for Alzheimer's has two meetings before the legislative session. Hot topics include reducing out-of-state placement of individuals with difficult behaviors by training medical staff to better handle these situations and assisting facilities with training and education to care for these individuals so that each individual remains in-state, close to loved ones; advancing tele-medicine training and patient use of it so that citizens throughout the state, regardless of metropolitan or rural area, receive the most up-to-date services; expanding communication with physicians and other medical staff, first responders, the department of motor vehicles, bankers and lawyers, caregivers, and those with Alzheimer's and other dementias through website information, newspaper and radio awareness campaigns, and greater interconnections among Nevada health agencies; increasing education opportunities about Alzheimer's disease and other dementias so that everyone has the necessary information to confront this disease and all of the potentialities that come with it. Please send me your input and thoughts to share with the Task Force.
Gini Cunningham can be reached at gini.cunningham@sbcglobal.net or www.lovedignityalzheimers.net.
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