This week we feature Hollywood celebrities and others who have suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.  They and their families have been gracious enough to make their illness public and encourage others who are experiencing this situation.  Then we know we’re not alone and are not so uncomfortable making our family member’s condition public and talking about it.

Yesterday, we mentioned Ronald Reagan and his family at Alzheimer’s Notes.  When they went public with his condition, it couldn’t have been easy for them.  However, they have helped so many people, in an area that was unrelated to his presidency, governorship, and acting career.  They reached out to others.  Hopefully it brought the Reagans comfort.  I know it helped me as I dealt with Mother and Auntie’s conditions.

Throughout the week, we and others at the b5media Health and Wellness Channel, will be blogging about celebrities and their health conditions and how they have encouraged others.

Check out the post Liz Lewis posted here at Alzheimer’s Notes, Alzheimer’s Association Celebrities Speak Video.   Here you’ll see celebrities like Phyllis George, Dick Van Dyke, Kate Mulgrew, Dear Abby, Ricki Lake, and more speaking out about Alzheimer’s.

Previous posts we’ve run about Charlton Heston and his challenge with Alzheimer’s.

Charlton Heston and Alzheimer’s Disease

Charlton Heston Inspires Many with His Brave Alzheimer’s Battle

My Pick – Top 5 Alzheimer’s Notes Posts

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(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Alzheimer’s Notes Visits Hollywood This Week

 Celebrities and their families have been “going public” during the last few years when Alzheimer’s strikes them.  This illness is no longer hidden, the person sequestered where no one sees them, and families refrain from talking about it.

This week, as we pursue the theme of Celebrities & Health at the b5media Health & Wellness channel, we’ll be mentioning various celebrities and sharing how they and their families faced this disease and inspired and encouraged others.

I’m pleased that celebrities’ families like those of Ronald Reagan, Charlton Heston, Rita Hayward, Arlene Francis, and  others have come forth.  Not that we should pry into their lives and make every nuance public, but the knowledge that they aren’t afraid to talk about this illness helps all of us.

When it became noticeable that my mom had developed Alzheimer’s, as her sister had, I often felt others didn’t want to hear about it, that they thought me an inconsiderate daughter because I dared imply Mother had this illness.  What a relief when I no longer had to “walk on egg shells” when talking about Mother’s condition, except to families of Alzheimer’s victims or staff in the nursing home.

I credit much of this openness about Alzheimer’s and the desire to raise awareness to Ronald Reagan and his family.  They opened a door for us and helped fo many others face the illness.  Other celebrities and their families have followed suit.

What are your thoughts on this?

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(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Celebrities & Health – This Week’s Theme at the Health & Wellness Channel, Alzheimer’s Notes Included

Children and Alzheimer’s Disease

Charlton Heston and Alzheimer’s Disease

Do You Believe in Restraints for Alzheimer’s Patients?

The Multiple Identities of An Alzheimer’s Caregiver.

Should We Laugh/Joke About Alzheimer’s?

So what’s your favorites?

Post from: Blisstree

My Pick – Top 5 Alzheimer’s Notes Posts.

 We don’t find many true heroes in our world, but when they do make an appearance, they stand out above the crowd and provide inspiration.  Charlton Heston was one of these as he evolved from movie screen hero to real life hero over the years. 

His battle with Alzheimer’s, with his wife Lydia at his side, encouraged others to “come out of the closet” when encountering this disease.

Liz Lewis, my co-blogger here at Alzheimer’s Notes, provided videos of his life and his battle in her post, Charlton Heston and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Jean Murray, blogging at Small Business Bloggers, posted her thoughts on Charlton and paid tribute in Charlton Heston and Alzheimer’s – A Terrible Way to Die.

Do you have any thoughts on this?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Charlton Heston Inspires Many With His Brave Alzheimer’s Battle