Advocate – “Communication is Key and it begins with me. Listening to Alzheimer’s personal stories can be a positive inspiration helping to turn one’s perspective from overwhelm and frustration to hope and options. I know, for it happened to me! How can I help you fight the fight against Alzheimer’s disease?”

Some significant facts about Alzheimer’s:
6^th Leading cause of death in the United States
5,000,000 Americans are living with Alzheimer’s
16,000,000 Americans estimated by 2050
Since 2000, deaths from heart disease have decreased by 14%
Since 2000, deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have increased by 89%

Nancy is an advocate helping to raise awareness and reduce the stigma attached to the name Alzheimer’s disease by sharing her personal story and perspective. Because Nancy’s father walked the Alzheimer’s walk, and since first being diagnosed with early on-set, finds her journey an ever-changing one. She is adamant about her advocacy. Along with many other volunteer endeavors, Nancy spends a great deal of her time with the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Nevada, and Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Please view below:

Alzheimer’s Association
Alz.org/dsw
702-248-2770
1-800-326-0013

Nancy sits on the Leadership Council, Desert Southwest Chapter, in Las Vegas, NV and was named Volunteer of the Year for DSW Chapter in 2016. She also participated in the 2015/16 Alzheimer’s National Early Stage Advocacy Group (ESAG), headed up by the National Alzheimer’s Association. Nancy and her fellow advisors celebrated the 10th anniversary of the ESAG program. She was honored, along with all Advisors serving from 2006-2015, to receive the Outstanding Advocate of the Year Award for their dedication and value to the program.

The important group of individuals in early stages of AD, or other dementia’s, are now ESAG Alumni known to bring unique perspectives to their own communities. They continue their advocacy by stepping up and speaking out. See below:

Advocacy – Advisors, together with the Association, advocate with elected officials at all levels of government on key legislative priorities including the need for improved research, funding, care, and support programs.

Building awareness and reducing stigma – Through national events, Advisors help raise awareness about the impact of AD, and other dementias. They share their personal stories, perspectives, frustrations, fears, and their approach to finding resolution. Nancy, in sharing her truest feelings of what’s happening to her, cushions herself in optimism, and has found joy, as contradictory as that may sound. There is no preventing, slowing down or stopping this disease as yet, but there are certain things a person can do to help themselves and their loved ones. Let’s talk about it!

Programs – Advisors provide input to the Alzheimer’s Association about programs designed to the growing needs of early stage individuals, their families, and caregivers.

Alzheimer’s Nevada
AlzheimersNevada.org
702-900-8569

ALZHEIMER’S NEVADA (ANV) helps normal people with an abnormal condition. They offer educational and support groups for people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in the early stages. Families are welcome. They also offer a support group for family and professional caregivers needing information, and help.

These group settings are a safe place to share, to learn, to give and receive caring kindness, and perhaps walk away with sparks of new understanding, hope, and optimism. Nancy volunteers and co-facilitates support groups. You may contact ANV for location and times.

Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health
ClevelandClinic.org
1-800-223-2273

The Center is planned to become a national resource for the most current research and scientific information for the treatment of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s Diseases, Multiple Sclerosis and Lou Gehrig’s Disease, as well as focusing on prevention, early detection and education. Nancy volunteers and speaks at the Center, involves herself in the Nevada Dementia Friendly Project, and Lunch and Learn program, and whenever called upon.