VISITING ANGELS FRANKENMUTH, MI 989-652-6435
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2019 Alzheimer’s Association Leadership Summit

Visiting Angels was proudly represented at this year’s Alzheimer’s Association Leadership Summit by Kay, our Client Care Manager

Each year, the Alzheimer’s Association hosts a Leadership Summit and invites chapter members from across the country to participate in this national meeting. Leaders from these chapter share stories, learn about Alzheimer’s research, and see the combined impact of their fundraising efforts. The Leadership Summit gives chapter members the opportunity to celebrate their success during the 2018 walk season and get ready for the year to come!

About Kay from Visiting Angels

Kay Krajkowski is our Care Coordinator at Visiting Angels of Frankenmuth. She works with families throughout the Great Lakes Bay region of Michigan, helping them find the home care assistance they need. Kay gets to know each of our senior clients and their families, working with them to find a reliable, compassionate, and qualified caregiver to bring into their homes.

Kay first became involved with our area’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s in 2011. Alzheimer’s disease is one that personally affected Kay and her family, as he father had battled the disease until 2012.

On getting started with the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Kay said:

“My father had Alzheimer’s and I knew that I needed to do something to help end this disease that was taking the father I had known away. I have continued to be involved with the Walk Planning Committee in memory of my father, in honor of my mother who was his caregiver. I want to see an end to Alzheimer’s.”

Leadership Summit in San Antonio, TX

In January 2019, Kay and her husband traveled to San Antonio, TX, for the 2019 Alzheimer’s Association Leadership Summit. Throughout the weekend there were a variety of presentations, stories, and performances. In true San Antonio fashion, there was even a mariachi band and dancers to welcome attendees!

Presentations from the national Alzheimer’s Association and local chapters shared some of the biggest accomplishments from 2018. These included:

  • The ‘Bold Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act’ being signed into law
  • More than $6 million total contributions made to the Alzheimer’s Association in 2018
  • Funding to the Alzheimer’s Association up 22% from 2017

Learn more about some of the incredible results of the 2018 Walk to End Alzheimer’s by clicking here!

County artist Jay Allen Performs “Blank Stares”

Participants at this year’s Leadership Summit also enjoyed a special musical-performance by country up-and-comer Jay Allen. Allen wrote a song for his mother, who suffers from early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. She is 54 years old. In the song, “Blank Stares”, Allen shares his own struggles with losing his mom to Alzheimer’s but also hopes that she is still there somewhere.

Allen’s message is one that resonates with families who have loved one’s with Alzheimer’s and Visiting Angels’ Kay just the same.

“At Visiting Angels we come in contact with families whose loved ones have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia.  We see firsthand the daily struggles the family and the person with dementia encounter.  We need to be a part of the fight to end Alzheimer’s.”

Kay’s Key Takeaways

Having the opportunity to attend the 2019 Alzheimer’s Association Leadership Summit is incredible. Kay was able to meet other Walk Planning Committee members from across the country. She also spent time with Tim Welbaum & Scott Doney, who own and operate the Visiting Angels office in Adrian, MI.

After the event, Kay shared her experience with our team and had these important things to say:

1. Don’t try to fight this on your own. There are so many people that are affected by this disease and there is help.

Alzheimer’s disease is an epidemic that affects millions of Americans and their families. The Alzheimer’s Association offers educational resources, caregiver support, and access to trial treatments to support those who deal with Alzheimer’s every day. You are not alone in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.

2. What is good for the heart is good for the mind

Sprint-Mind results was a topic that was woven throughout this year’s Leadership Summit. Because there is not yet a cure, battling Alzheimer’s disease can be a stressful, exhausting, and infuriating experience. That doesn’t mean you should lose hope. There are studies that show music, simple activities, exercise, looking at photos, playing with pets, and enjoying nature can all help manage the cognitive and behavior symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Doing things with your loved one that they love can help support their mind – and your peace of mind.

3. Consider joining the Walk to End Alzheimer’s

As a part of our local Walk Planning Committee, Kay has experienced firsthand how much joy and good can come of this annual fundraising event. After attending this year’s Leadership Summit, Kay was able to see how chapters from across the nation are able to come together and make a huge impact. Raising over $6 million for Alzheimer’s research and resources is no small accomplishment!

If you would like to learn more about getting involved with the 2019 Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit our chapter website or contact Visiting Angels of Frankenmuth.

Serving the Great Lakes Bay Region in Michigan, including Frankenmuth, Saginaw, Bay City and surrounding areas

Visiting Angels FRANKENMUTH, MI
527 N Franklin St #C
Frankenmuth, MI 48734
Phone: 989-652-6435
Fax: 989-652-6365

Serving the Great Lakes Bay Region in Michigan, including Frankenmuth, Saginaw, Bay City and surrounding areas

Visiting Angels FRANKENMUTH, MI
527 N Franklin St #C
Frankenmuth, MI 48734
Phone: 989-652-6435
Fax: 989-652-6365