In this KSUT conversation, we talk with Mary Nowotny, a community organizer who works to improve resources for those affected by Alzheimer's in the Four Corners.
They also discuss the Walk to End Alzheimer's, which occurs annually in more than 600 communities nationwide and is the world's largest fundraiser for Alzheimer's support and research.
This year's walk is on Saturday, September 27, at Durango's Rotary Park. Registration is at 9 a.m., and the opening ceremony is at 10, followed by the walk.
Interview transcript
This interview transcript was edited for length and brevity.
Tami Graham, KSUT Executive Director: Today I'm speaking with Mary Ney, who is involved with the Walk to End Alzheimer's, the world's largest fundraiser to fight the disease, taking place in Durango on Saturday, September 27th at Rotary Park. We'll talk a little bit more about the details, but Mary, thanks so much for joining me today.
Mary Nowotny: You're welcome, Tami. I'm just delighted to be here and reaching out to the listeners in the KSUT area because we know there are a lot of folks out there for whom this disease is a pressing concern. So let's talk about how we're helping them.
Graham: Well, let's talk about the event and the whys of the event. So I'm imagining, and I've been aware of the walk to into Alzheimer's and there's been runs and whatnot going on for many years, that this is a national, national event that happens in many, many communities, I'm imagining.
Nowotny: Correct. And it is the largest fight anywhere in the world that I'm aware of to address and combat Alzheimer's, which is such a growing concern here in our community, but also in the US and around the world.
Graham: Mary, I know that you have personal experience with Alzheimer's. Could you speak to that and how that's informing your volunteer work right now?
Nowotny: Yes, because of my own experience as a caregiver for the two men I love most, between my late husband and my second life partner, I was the primary caregiver for a total of eight years. So I kind of know wherever I speak, and I also know how devastating this is on families and on the community. It's a very challenging disease to manage, and the problem is only growing worse because of our aging population.
Graham: I understand that the goals, some of the goals for this walk to into Alzheimer's is raise funds for national research, provide resources to those in Southwest Colorado that are dealing with this either as a caregiver or directly and to help more people know about the resources and support currently available. Could you say a little bit about the funds being raised for national research and any high points of what's happening nationally with research?
Nowotny: The fact is there are a number of efforts underway to develop a treatment for Alzheimer's. It is one of the few diseases for which there is no treatment, and there is no cure. And so there are a number of private companies primarily working on efforts to develop remedies for this. However, the role that the Alzheimer's Association plays is really one of distribution of information and resources to make it easier on those families who are providing care to their loved ones. And as we know, the disease itself often results in memory loss, lack of communication skills, basic behavioral changes, and independence. So for the folks who are dealing with this, the more resources that are available, the better. And in fact, one of my colleagues says, as I cared for my mother every day, I learned more, and it became much easier to care for her as I worked with her for five or six years.
So the information and resources that come from the Alzheimer's Association are very vast and plentiful and very accessible through https://www.alz.org/. But I think more importantly, we have some fabulous efforts underway here in our own community. One of the regular events that occurs is the caregiver support groups at the La Plata County Senior Center. Those occur on the first, third, and fifth Wednesdays every month from 10:30 to noon. And caregivers as well as patients with Alzheimer's are invited to join. You pick up so many tips and so many resources that it's a great comfort to those who take part. And of course, that's free, and it's supported because the Alzheimer's Association trains the support group facilitators. Right here in Durango, we have something called the Durango Dementia Coalition.
It's a volunteer group, and they've put together an amazing resource called Planning Your Journey for the Person with Dementia and Their Care Partners. And that's a great place to turn, https://sites.google.com/view/durangodementiacoalition/, for people who are looking for additional help. Some of the kinds of materials you can get from these organizations include things like tips for traveling with an Alzheimer's patient or how to handle the holidays. These are very traumatic experiences for families and people with Alzheimer's. So growing on those resources, it is just a great fallback kind of position. But another brand new resource is available through the Memory Cafe, which was started at St. Mark's Church. And that is the second Tuesdays of the month from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and that's free and open to the public. And it's just another gathering place, honestly, because there is so much comfort and security to be found from other people who are living with this disease.
Graham: What a great trove of information. Thank you for sharing all of that. And it's so good to hear. I was aware of some of those things, but not dealing with this directly with anyone that I know and love. It's just great to hear, and thank you for your work and all the volunteers working in this region and community to provide these resources.
Nowotny: If I could point out, the numbers are staggering. Nationally, 7 million people have the disease, and 12 million people are caring for it. But if you drill down to La Plata County, those numbers are replicated, and that means more than a thousand people probably have the disease, and probably as many as 2,000 people are providing uncompensated care, and all told, 3,000 people out of our county of 55,000 chances are somebody in your neighborhood. No, absolutely. Who works with this? And the value of helping support from friends and neighbors can be something as small as just, 'Hey, how about I come over and sit with your loved one while you go to the grocery store or go for a walk.' These are the kinds of easy services that we can provide our friends and neighbors right here in the community.
Graham: Let's talk about the actual event on Saturday, September 27th, Rotary Park in Durango, 9:00 AM registration, 10:00 AM ceremony. How can people participate?
Nowotny: People can participate by just showing up, but you can also register online. It's going to be a glorious day. People are given purple T-shirts to wear. There'll be a beautiful walk along the Animas River Trail. And all of this is really just to raise the level of awareness in addition to really important funds, but it is to show our support for these members of our community who are so vulnerable and really need the kind of help. So come on out and join the throng and fight this challenging situation in our community. But it calls for a lot of love and support. We know we've got it right here in the Four Corners area.
