Letter from Kathy O'Brien, Alzheimer's Assocation Senior Vice President, Program & Community Services
Regarding Advisory Group of People With Dementia and Early Stage Professional Task Force:
Greetings from the Alzheimer's Association, Program & Community Services -
Thank you for your interest in providing your insight on early stage issues for the Alzheimer's Association's future planning. The selection for the Advisory Group and Task Force is complete and tentative meeting dates are set for January.
The number of the responses (over 50) clearly indicates the importance of this work. In order to have productive, cohesive work teams, we have a limited number of positions. The selection was difficult. However, we do intend to involve all who submitted interest forms in topical discussions and focus groups through our chapters, survey input, the Pubic Policy Forum and/or the Early Stage Track of the Dementia Care Conference (Atlanta, 2006)..
In making the selection, we considered geographic (nation-wide and chapter) representation, experience with early stage dementia and various disciplines for the Task Force. We request the members of the Advisory Group and the Task Force keep in close contact with their local chapter. We will keep you informed as we move forward with this work.
Advisory Group of People With Dementia:
The purpose of the Alzheimer's Association Advisory Group of People With Dementia is to gain greater insight into their needs, desires and unique challenges of early stage issues. The Advisory Group will provide feedback on current and potential activities to increase participation of early stage people with dementia. The Advisory Group will contribute to Association planning and National office planning and budgeting processes.
The following people have been selected for the Advisory Group of People with Dementia for a one year term:
- Peter G. Beeson, Great Plains Chapter (Lincoln) - NE
- Maria Cruz, South Florida Chapter (Miami) - FL
- Sandra Agarrat Forbes, South Florida Chapter (Miami) - FL
- Chuck Jackson, Oregon Chapter - OR
- Jennifer Knauss, Greater Illinois Chapter - IL
- C. Joseph LaBonte, San Diego - CA
- Jim Rupert, Rochester Chapter - NY
- Charles Schneider, St. Louis Chapter - MO
- Richard Taylor, Southeast Texas Chapter (Houston) - TX
Since we anticipate Advisory Group members will have a traveling companion with them, Dan Kuhn of Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging, will offer a session based on his "Powerful Tools for Caregivers" and an opportunity to see some local Chicago sites. Of course, participation is voluntary.
Early Stage Professional Task Force:
The Early Stage Professional Task Force includes Association staff, volunteer experts, and health care professionals involved in diagnosis, treatment and program services. The purpose of this group is to review current and potential activities to increase participation of early stage people with dementia The Task Force report will contribute to Association planning and National office planning and budgeting processes.
The following people have been selected from multiple professional disciplines:
- Phyllis Braudy Harris, Ph.D., ACSW, Researcher, John Carroll University- OH
- Linda L. Buettner, Geriatric Recreational Therapist & Gerontologist, Florida Gulf Coast University - FL
- Patricia Caron, Program Director, Eastern Tennessee Chapter - TN
- Chris Clark, M.D., Director Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, University of Pennsylvania - PA
- Judy Filippoff, Early Stage Program Coordinator, NoCalifornia/No Nevada Chapter- CA
- Darby Morhardt, MSW, LCSW, Director of Education Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Northwestern - IL
- Richard Della Penna, M.D., Director, Kaiser Permanente Aging Network, National Alzheimer's Association Board Member - CA
- Marcia Reisch, RN, BSN, Early Stage program Coordinator, Denver - CO
- Mary E. Reines, Early Stage Program Coordinator, So. Central Wisconsin Chapter - WS
- Elaine Silverio, Early Stage Program Coordinator, Massachusetts Chapter - MA
- Lisa Snyder, MSW, LCSW, University of California-San Diego ADC - CA
National Staff
- Diane Dunne, Communications Director, National Office
- Peter Reed, Care Services Director, National Office
- Mike Splain, Director Public Policy, National Office
- Kathy O'Brien, Sr. Vice President Program & Community Services, National Office
