Member Spotlight - Alzheimer's Association
You Don't Have to Go Through It Alone
Cheryl DuFore of the Alzheimer's Association shares what the organization does, why it matters, and how our community can get involved.
More than seven million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's disease, and that's only the ones who have been diagnosed. In Michigan alone, an estimated 203,000 people are affected. Behind every one of those numbers is a family navigating a long and often overwhelming journey.
Cheryl DuFore knows that journey firsthand. As Development Manager for the Alzheimer's Association covering Monroe and Lenawee counties. As a daughter watching her own mother navigate a diagnosis, she brings both professional expertise and personal understanding to her work. We sat down with Cheryl to learn more about what the Alzheimer's Association does, what's happening in research right now, and how people right here in Milan can get connected.
More Than a Walk
Most people in our community recognize the Walk to End Alzheimer's. It's the association's largest fundraiser, with more than 600 walks held across the United States every year. Michigan has 22 of them, stretching from Marquette in the Upper Peninsula all the way down to Monroe County. But Cheryl is quick to point out that the walk is just one piece of a much larger picture.
"We're more than walk managers. We're in the communities. We're telling people about Alzheimer's, about what we do at the association. We're ambassadors."
That community presence means providing resources, guidance, and support to people with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia -- and critically, to their families and caregivers. The association understands that the person with a diagnosis isn't the only one who needs help.
Support for the Sandwich Generation
Cheryl talks a lot about "the sandwich generation", or people who are simultaneously raising children at home and caring for aging parents. It's a real and heavy burden, and caregiver burnout is something the Alzheimer's Association takes seriously.
The association offers support groups, both online and in person, along with a 24-hour helpline staffed around the clock by master's-level trained social workers. The number is 1-800-272-3900.
"It could be two in the morning, and you are at your wits' end. Just call us. We can point you in the right direction."
What to Watch For
One of the most valuable things the Alzheimer's Association offers is education, especially for adult children who may be noticing changes in a parent but aren't sure whether to be concerned. Cheryl outlines several warning signs to pay attention to:
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks or managing finances
- Confusion with time or place
- Misplacing things without being able to retrace steps
- Changes in mood or behavior that are out of character
- Withdrawal from social activities or daily routines
- Decreased judgment or problem-solving ability
- Trouble understanding visual images or spatial relationships
That last one surprised even Cheryl. In a recent caregiver training, she learned that Alzheimer's affects peripheral vision, making it feel as though someone is looking through a narrow tunnel. "I never knew that until I attended that class," she said. "And now it explains so much about my mom."
If you're seeing some of these signs, the first step is a conversation with a primary care physician. They can perform an initial in-office screening and, if warranted, refer to a more comprehensive cognitive exam that evaluates short-term and long-term memory, fine motor skills, and other areas of brain function.
Getting Ahead of the Diagnosis
One of the most exciting shifts in Alzheimer's research right now is a growing focus on prevention -- or at least on reducing risk before any diagnosis. Cheryl references a recently completed two-year study called the Pointer Study, which examined how lifestyle changes affect cognitive ability. The results are driving a major push toward brain health education.
The biggest risk factors for Alzheimer's are age, gender (women are at higher risk), and family history. But research shows there is a lot we can do to support brain health over time:
- Stay mentally active -- board games, crossword puzzles, word searches, learning something new
- Stay socially connected -- isolation is hard on the brain
- Exercise regularly -- even small things like taking the stairs or parking farther away
- Eat a heart-healthy diet -- there is a strong link between heart health and brain health
- Protect your head -- wear a helmet when cycling; repeated impacts add up
- Keep reading and keep learning
"I just turned sixty, so I am working on things now so that my seventy-year-old self will thank me."
Bringing Programs to Milan
The Alzheimer's Association offers free community education programs that can be brought directly to local organizations, faith communities, and employers. Topics include:
- Building Brain Healthy Habits (45 to 60 minutes)
- The 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's
- Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia
- Caregiver-focused support programs
Cheryl would love to bring one of these programs to Milan. They just need a host and some help spreading the word. If your organization, business, or place of worship is interested, reach out directly at chdufore@alz.org.
Mark Your Calendar Monroe County Walk is October 17
The Monroe County Walk to End Alzheimer's takes place on October 17 at Loranger Square Pavilion in downtown Monroe. Check-in opens at 9:00 a.m., followed by a brief program and a walk of less than one mile. No training required.
Milan-area residents are absolutely welcome. You can participate in any walk across the state. Some families make it a tradition, traveling to different walk locations each year. It's a fun and meaningful event.
Where Your Dollars Go
The Alzheimer's Association runs lean. Approximately 78 cents of every dollar raised goes directly toward research, programs, and advocacy. That's something Cheryl is proud of.
The research is producing real results. While there is not yet a cure, medications now exist that can slow the progression of the disease, and the earlier treatment begins, the more effective it tends to be. Advocacy work at the local and national levels continues to push for increased funding and policy change.
Every Interaction Matters
Cheryl's final message is a simple one: don't underestimate your impact. Whether you walk, donate, host a program, share information with a friend, or simply call the helpline when you need it -- it all matters.
"Sometimes people get hung up on the number of people that showed up. They're like, 'Well, we only had six.' That's fine. That's six people that wanted to learn. And you don't know who those six people are connected to."
With over seven million Americans diagnosed, and likely many more who don't yet know it. Awareness is one of the most powerful tools there is. The Alzheimer's Association is here, in our community, ready to help.
Get Connected
- 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-272-3900
- Website: alz.org
- Social Media: Search "Alzheimer's Association" on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X
- Host a program in Milan: chdufore@alz.org
- Monroe County Walk to End Alzheimer's: October 17 -- Loranger Square Pavilion, Downtown Monroe -- Check-in at 9:00 a.m.
