Walking for Kel at Alzheimer's event

When the Geezer Forum went on summer recess in June, apparently Dear Geezer did also. That wasn’t intentional on my part, but apparently my writing imagination needed a break too. But now I’m back!

You didn’t know my first college roommate, Kel. Well, actually a few folks in Bonners Ferry might have, since he was the United Methodist pastor there in the early 1970s. But before that, like in 1960, we were roommates for two years.

In mid-July, I went to Wenatchee, Wash., to attend his memorial service. For the last five-plus years, Kel had Alzheimer’s disease. His wonderful wife and their children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren, loved and cared for Kel. I did, too, though my love and care were from a distance.

And now, I plan to walk for Kel on Sept. 30. Even before he died, I had decided to recruit a “Geezer Forum” team to walk in the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Now I’m doubly committed to that effort. And I will walk for Kel.

As has been the case in recent years, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in north Idaho will happen at McEuen Park in downtown Coeur d’Alene. It is always an enjoyable event.

But more importantly, it raises considerable money to continue both research efforts and to support area-wide educational events about Alzheimer’s and other dementias. As with many fund-raising efforts, walkers are asked to invite others to support their walking.

I have found it most effective to identify a particular person I will remember on my walk. That helps motivate me to ask friends to pledge money to support my effort. Paying those pledges has been made easier through using electronic payment methods. It’s easy and enjoyable!

Have you been aware of recent information about how Alzheimer’s continues to deeply impact our country? Only a few years ago, the disease was reported to affect about 40 percent of persons who have some kind of dementia. Now that figure is 60-80 percent!

“Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that damages and eventually destroys brain cells, leading to memory loss and changes in thinking and other brain functions.

It usually develops slowly and gradually gets worse as brain function declines and brain cells eventually wither and die. Ultimately, Alzheimer’s is fatal, and currently, there is no cure.” (Quote from www.alz.org, a comprehensive, information website of the Alzheimer’s Association.)

The impact on American society from Alzheimer’s is pretty overwhelming. It is the sixth leading cause of death, and millions of people (including family caregivers) are impacted daily. So the annual Walks to End Alzheimer’s are a vital source of money and encouragement to those millions of people — including people we know and even live with!

If you have some interest in joining me and others on the Geezer Forum team for the Sept. 30 Walk to End Alzheimer’s, please let me know. I’m walking for Kel. Who do you want to walk for?

Paul Graves, M.Div., is Lead Geezer-in-Training for Elder Advocates, a consulting ministry on aging issues. Contact Paul at 208-610-4971 email him at elderadvocates@nctv.com.