Rotarians learn about Alzheimer's Alliance of Northeast Texas

Sammy D. York, Rotary president, presents a book to Paige Woodfin and Nancy Duke of the Alzheimer's Alliance of Northeast Texas. The pair were guest speakers for the Kilgore Rotary Club on Wednesday. Representatives from the Alzheimer's Alliance of Northeast Texas spoke to Kilgore Rotarians Wednesday about programs available in the Longview-Kilgore area.

Paige Woodfin and Nancy Duke gave a short PowerPoint presentation on Alzheimer's and dementia and talked about a couple of programs that help patients and their caregivers.

According to Woodfin, about 5 million people in America battle Alzheimer's disease but, by 2050, that number is expected to grow to 16 million. She gave warning signs and other factors of the disease during her PowerPoint presentation, some of which drew silent responses from Rotarians who have had to deal with a family member with Alzheimer's.

She asked for a show of hands as to how many people in Rotary have been affected by Alzheimer's and dementia through a friend or family member, and nearly everyone raised their hands.

Woodfin talked about her own experiences with a parent and an in-law having Alzheimer's and dementia at the same time, and the amount of time and care it took to help them stay at home as long as possible.

She talked about how to tell if someone is suffering from this, as well as warning signs of the disease. She said most people start showing signs after 65 but some start showing signs as young as 40.

In Longview, the Alliance offers a program at a local church called Unforgettable Tuesdays. Held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, it allows for care for patients for four hours so caregivers can take care of errands or do something for themselves. It is an extremely popular program that has filled to capacity. In fact, caregivers are asking for an additional day, if possible, Woodfin said.

Anyone interested in volunteering or finding out about the programs is urged to call the Alliance.

In other Rotary news, Sammy York, president, and Claudia Miracle earned perfect attendance pins. York has four years of perfect attendance and Miracle has attained her first year of perfect attendance.

Saturday was the Kilgore Rotary Club Fish Fry and more than 500 people attended to eat fish and support the club's scholarship program.

A special Veterans Day program will be held Wednesday. Elmo Hunt, who served in Gen. George Patton's Third Army during World War II, will be the guest speaker. His primary job during World War II was finding and dismantling land mines. Also on that day, Shayla Gossett, a senior at Sabine High School, will visit and sing "The Star Spangled Banner."

The Kilgore Rotary Club meets each Wednesday at noon in the ballroom of the Meadowbrook Country Club. Guests are always welcome.