With Mayo Clinic health education outreach coordinator Angela Lunde

Over the weekend, I was involved in a statewide dementia conference on Alzheimer's disease (and related dementias) for families, caregivers, professionals in the field, as well as persons with early stage dementia.

More than 1,000 gathered to learn about AD research, early identification, medication and treatments, coping strategies, services, advocacy efforts and other topics. Of maybe greater importance, participants heard personal stories shared by persons with Alzheimer's disease and/or their care partners.

It was clear to everyone in attendance that there are no easy answers to this heartbreaking disease. Yet, at the end of the day, the voice of Alzheimer's disease was heard, a grieving family was better understood, and a community inspired to action was created.

I write this today to let each of you know that you are not alone on this journey, even though I realize isolation is felt by so many. I know as a nation we have created a system that does not work well for people with chronic conditions and is even less effective for people with dementia. But we are moving forward in research, treatments, advocacy — all aimed at supporting families and persons with the disease to live better lives.

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