Alzheimer’s disease expert Lisa Genova, a neuroscientist and author of the novel “Still Alice,” gave the keynote address at a sold-out conference focused on Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Parish Health Ministry, a service of Episcopal Retirement Services, hosted the day-long “Refresh Your Soul 2016.”
Genova spoke not only as a scientist but as the granddaughter of an 85-year-old who developed the disease.
“We all knew she was slowing down, forgetting words, leaving the keys in the door, the tea kettle on the stove, not able to do the checkbook anymore,” Genova said.
“So we all went ahead with this dance, that this was a part of normal aging. But it wasn’t. This walk to the bowling alley in the middle of the night, this confusion, this disorientation, this inability to understand, was Alzheimer’s.”
The conference brought together ERS and Parish Health Ministry personnel, professional colleagues, caregivers and other family members dealing with the same issues.
Teepa Snow, an expert on dementia, also spoke before the audience of nearly 1,000.
“Lisa and Teepa were able to touch the hearts of attendees, giving them hope through understanding and offering practical, effective caregiving advice,” said Jeanne Palcic, director of Parish Health Ministry at ERS.
For more information visit: episcopalretirement.com/parish-health-ministry
Click on a thumbnail to view photo gallery.
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- Keynote speaker Lisa Genova
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- Keynote speaker Lisa Genova
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- ERS board members: Miles C. Schmidt, Robin Smith, ERS CEO Doug Spitler and Gates Smith
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- Ginny Uehlin, ERS vice president of residential housing and healthcare; Teepa Snow; and Jeanne Palcic, Parish Health Ministry director
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- Parish Health Ministry director Jeanne Palcic with speakers Lisa Genova and Teepa Snow
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- Teepa Snow interacts with the audience.
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- Teepa Snow interacts with the audience.
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- Teepa Snow and the Rev. Canon Sherilyn Pearce of title sponsor Christ Church Cathedra
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