Sitting in the Library of Congress, I paused to soak in the celebration of so many authors who made lasting marks with their written words.  My favorite quote of the day inscribed on the wall high above a window read, “Words are also actions and actions are a kind of words.”  Today, my words have led to action.  In August of 2012, I visited Washington, DC.  I toured the Botanical Gardens and struck up a conversation with a Washington policeman who told me of his lengthy career on the force.

As he handed me an US Capital Police patch, he offered me a special treat:  a tour of the Capital building and to arrange a flag to be flown over the Capital in my name.  I declined, saying, “I’d rather have a flag flown over the Capital to honor those with Alzheimer’s Disease, because of what we’ve encountered by caring for my mother, my mission is to raise awareness for the sake of other families facing this long, sad journey.”   Little did I know that twenty months later, I would storm the Capital with 850 other passionate AD advocates to rally support for families with AD.  By writing my blog, along with various articles and keeping up with local resources for networking, my words got me to Washington as an advocate. My prayer for this trip was for God to protect my travels, put me where He could use me, and to show me favor.  He came through on all requests.

Surprisingly, as I stepped off the shuttle bus in front of Capital Hill, this policeman happened to pass by.  I called to him, got a big hug, and told him I’d come back, wearing my purple banner with so many other “flag” bearers to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.  I doubt if he remembered me but I certainly knew him. Prophecy fulfilled!

This wasn’t the first “coincidence” I experienced on this trip. Starting with the plane ride from Houston to D.C., I found a fellow Forum traveler across the aisle from me.

Once I arrived at the Renaissance Hotel, I went into the Grand Ballroom, amidst a sea of 850 plus people wearing purple.  I looked for a table to sit at for the day.  I randomly chose one, briefly said my introductions and sat down.  Next person to sit down was an outspoken fellow, familiar with the group I’d chosen and declared,” I guess you’ll have to sit with an Alabamian!” 

Not only was he an advocate from Alabama but writes for the newspaper as well – Mark McCarter.  These are the people I would later visit two Senators with!  Again, proximity!  Next day, I attempted to meet a Memory People Facebook friend.  I stood before the huge crowd in the doorway, with the phone to my ear, talking to my never before seen “friend”, trying to tell her my location. Turned out, I happened to be standing right by her table!  She said she’d been trying to hook up with another Memory People friend who, lo and behold,  I discovered was in my group, so I led her to connect with our new “friend”.

As the day of training wore in, I went to the lady’s room to freshen up.  As I stood in front of the sink, washing my hands, I noticed by her name tag that the lady next to me was from Las Vegas.  I remarked that my son’s girlfriends’ father lived in Las Vegas and told her his name.  “Oh, I know him, he is a wonderful person,” she declared. Can anybody say, “It’s a small world?”

To give even too much information, as I prepared myself for the special National dinner by arranging my hair, I asked God to help me make my unwieldy mane look good.  Once ready, I walked the three blocks to the hotel in the early evening air, knowing my efforts would be blown away before my entrance to the reception.  The first person I encountered was a woman from my group who commented, “Your hair looks nice.”  The only hair comment I got all trip.  I had to thank my Lord for watching out for me in the crowd of people, letting me know He was with and  for me.

The “Hill Day” gave us opportunity to navigate Washington like never before.  We had to wait in a line to pass through security to get into the Russell Senate Office Building to visit our senators. We had a great interview with Jeff Sessions’ staff, who took notes as we told our tale of woe, giving her the lowdown of the high costs of care, the high rate of incidence coupled with the low amount of money given for research.  Our meeting was followed by our Alabama Alzheimer Association Director, Kevin Burke, who had an impromptu meeting with Sessions in the hall and speaking to him directly.  Kevin later told us, “that is how it’s done in Washington.” Senator Sessions response was positive toward our cause.

Next visit was with Senator Richard Shelby, who we met in the hall and had a photo op with after our meeting with his staff.  He told us of a dear friend of his wife, a very smart man who had succumbed to the ravages of AD. He gave us his appreciation of our efforts and his support of the upcoming bills we were promoting.

As I strolled toward the Rayburn House to find Rep. Bradley Byrne’s office, David, head of the Ambassador Program for the Alz Assoc. stood beside me as we waited to walk across the street.  Seeing the long line, he said to me, “Come on, I’ll show you another, little known entrance.”  So we strolled right in with no waiting through the “horseshoe entrance” which was lined with blooming cherry trees.

After seeing Rep. Byrne leave his office and not return by our appointment time, I knew we wouldn’t be talking directly to  him after all.  We met with a staffer and accomplished our purpose.  As we walked to the elevator, Rep. Byrne stepped out in front of us.  I immediately hung up on the person I was speaking with on the phone, slide the phone in my pocket and extended my hand, saying, “I’m Beth Reinert from Mobile.  Congratulations on your recent election…” He listened to our story. He gave us his support.  Another mission accomplished with photos to boot.

Next, I went with Peter Cowley, Assoc. Director of our AL/FL Panhandle Alz. Assoc and Dr. Rodney Guttman, Alz Researcher at the University of West FL, to speak with Rep. Jeff Miller from Florida.  I got to listen to the good doctor argue for the cause of AD.  To think how difficult it’s been to find a doctor who was familiar with AD, and this trip allowed us several meals together, giving me plenty of time to talk to him and have my questions answered.

Satisfied that all had gone well, I sat in the Reagan National Airport, ready to board my flight home, when I saw a familiar face in the crowd.  After so much practice today, without hesitation I walked over to him and extended my hand saying, “You look like the mayor of my city.”  Indeed, he was our own newly elected Sandy Stimpson who I would learn had also met with the same men I had but for other matters. I told him about the upcoming 2014 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Daphne and in Mobile in 2015.  It was a comfort to have Mayor Stimpson nearby for the ride home and yes, I got a selfie to add to my other photo memories of such a great trip!

The trip was as I had hoped and better than I expected.  I am thankful to be in this position to speak for the voiceless and to raise awareness of the destruction of Alzheimer’s disease.  Please join me in the fight for better care and support, more research funding and promotion of brain health.  We can all benefit from that.

“If God is for us, who can be against us.” (Romans 8:31 NAS).

This article sums up the day beautifully.

This purple wreath helped guide the participants to our meeting place today at the Five Rivers Delta Resource Center.  We had a great turnout and heard valuable information from Julie McGee, Director of the Area Agency on Aging. Mrs. McGee gave a brief history of the Coalition and it’s first project – the Helpline – and then introduced her good friend, Gayle Boswell, who is the Area Agency Director in Montgomery, AL.  Mrs. Boswell shared some exciting news about what they are doing with grant money for CNA training in nursing homes.

Della Sanchez, Alabama Cares Coordinator, was making it all happen and handing out information as people arrived.

The next speaker was yours truly, Beth Reinert, who spoke about finding information on the internet to help with dementia care. Caregiversunite.org blog and Facebook page was shown on the screen, a prize was given for making a comment on the Facebook page and there was a question and answer period that followed.  The remaining members of the Coalition were given a chance to tell about themselves and what they are doing:

Laura Harrington of E. A. Roberts Alzheimer Center told of their recent successful open house and stated the center would be open one Saturday a month for Adult Day Care along with their regular weekday schedule.

Gina Germany of Touching Hearts Senior Care told about the Gulf Coast Senior Alliance and the Gulf Coast Dementia Services.  She announced a conference in April that will feature Teepa Snow as the speaker.

Janet Rich Pittman, Director of Marketing at Brookside Retirement Community, told of her passion for teaching about Brain Health and dementia prevention.

Leslie Johnson of Covenant Hospice brought us up to date on the support groups available in Baldwin County.  See the recent post detailing the times and dates of those meetings.

We also heard from a DETA trainer, Martha Allegri, who is available to speak and teach about dementia through Alzbrain.org.

I am excited about the interest shown today and all the people I met who I hope to introduce you to soon via this blog. Thank you all for coming. Long live the Alzheimer and Dementia Coalition of South Alabama!

Do you have a question to ask, suggestion, referral, or recommendations to make? Here is the place to do it.

I welcome any comments that you have.  Either write your comment after any post or e-mail me at beth@caregiversunite.org

To receive an automatic email of a recent post, subscribe at the bottom right of this page.  Be sure to confirm that you want to follow the blog when you get the confirmation email.  Many thanks and may you find something here to better your day.

This Purple Angel symbol can be used by anyone raising awareness regarding dementia. It symbolizes a guardian over those living with dementia, their families and friends, as well as all those working to raise awareness about dementia world wide.

Published: Wednesday, November 07, 2012, 2:53 PM     Updated: Thursday, November 08, 2012, 5:45 AM

By Press-Register Editorial Board
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Beth Reinert with her mother.

By Beth Reinert

Guest Columnist

My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2008. Preparing for her long-term care, meeting her financial requirements and offering meaningful activities have dominated my life. In addition to caring for all of her needs, I’ve spent hours doing research on the Internet, reading books and making phone calls for just one reason: So I could provide her with the best care possible.The number of unpaid caregivers for Alzheimer’s patients in the United States totals over 10 million, yet the job is often lonely and unrecognized. Most of us aren’t prepared to take on such care of a loved one, but once the commitment is made, we have so much to learn.

While overcoming one challenge after another, I have come to realize how vital caregivers are. We are the ones who make the decisions that determine quality of life, medical care and safety. Even with help from my sister, I finally realized that a team of people is necessary to provide 24/7 care. But where do I go for help?

Finding a support group was a good place to start. The first time I sat down with families living with Alzheimer’s disease, I felt so relieved that I wanted to cry. Here were my comrades, the ones who knew what I was going through. I found good referrals, creative suggestions and listening ears from the group participants.

I also received help from the E.A. Roberts Center, from family members, from my church, from home health care, from hospice, from the staff at the assisted living facility where she lives and from the private sitters scheduled to keep her company.

I found resources through the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission and the Area Agency on Aging and became involved with them as a volunteer. They put on an annual Caregiver Conference that I attended for the first time last year. I still benefit from what I learned at the conference. Where else can you acquire facts on bladder and bowel health, hear about the latest products for incontinence and learn how to qualify for Medicaid when the time comes?

Information about these topics helped me overcome problems that seemed insurmountable at first. Now I face these issues and many others with confidence.

I’ve heard that the new optimism is solutions. Well, solutions can be found at the Caregiver Conference on November 14, 2012 at the Daphne Civic Center. It’s free to attend and they offer adult day care or in-home sitters at no cost to make it possible for you to attend. If you are a caregiver—unpaid or professional—I urge you to continue to educate yourself by attending this conference. Your job will become easier and the care you are giving will improve. You can even earn CEUs if you need them.

I want all caregivers to be able to easily access services from our local community. In my association with Area Agency on Aging, they have listened to my concerns about the needs of caregivers and dementia patients. As a result, the Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Association Helpline was developed and is ready to be launched on November 15. By calling 251-706-4680, local information and resources for family members or clients with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be found.

As my mother’s disease progresses, I know that we will embrace what each day brings. With continued faith and asking for help when we need it, I trust my mother will continue to have the care and love that she deserves.

For those interested in attending this year’s Caregiver Conference the final day to RSVP is Tuesday, Nov. 13. You can do so by calling 251-433-6541.

Beth Reinert has a master’s degree in education and serves on the South Alabama Alzheimer’s and Dementia Coalition. She can be reached at pittman1212@comcast.net.

Beth Reinert lives with Alzheimer’s Disease in many ways.  She worked as the  Recreation Director on a Special Care Unit for Alzheimer’s patients  for two years before her children were born.  Having a BS and MEd  from the University of South Alabama that specializes in Therapeutic Recreation prepared her for implementing appropriate activities and interaction.  Both her maternal and fraternal grandmothers died with the disease and she is the primary caregiver for her mother who is well advanced in the disease.  Beth is an avid writer and advocate for the elderly, particularly for those with dementia.  She is especially passionate for the plight of the caregiver who is walking the journey with a loved one living with Alzheimer’s disease.