Spectrum 2009 - September 29

The article can be viewed here.

17th Annual Memory Walk at the State Capitol, October 3



On Saturday, October 3, the Northern California Alzheimer’s Association will hold its 17th annual Memory Walk at the State Capitol. This event is designed to bring together a community touched by Alzheimer’s disease and raise money for research and social services in the face of lower funding and increasing diagnoses.

The Alzheimer’s Association is a voluntary health organization committed to the vision of a world without Alzheimer’s. The Association accomplishes this goal through advancing medical research, promoting brain health to reduce the risk of dementia, and it provides and enhances care and support for all affected by the disease. The Association Web site (www.alz.org) provides a wealth of information about prevention, support and finding a cure.
This year, the Memory Walk team has a goal of rising $290,000 by enlisting 2,000 walkers to spread the word about Alzheimer’s disease. Participants can walk individually or in teams and register via the event Web site. And there is no entry fee to participate. The team emphasizes that it’s never too late to join, and no amount raised is too small.

Erin Stone, coordinator of the walk for the Alzheimer’s Association, notes that registering before the walk allows participants the chance to receive fundraising tips and reminders before the event. Joining an existing team can also be a great way to get involved as team captains are prepared with e-mails, scripts and suggestions about raising money and gathering support. Those who are unable to attend the walk can show their support by making a tax-deductible general donation to the event.

When it comes to a disease like Alzheimer’s, the question is not if you’ll be affected, but when.

As America’s population ages, the cases of Alzheimer’s are set to quadruple in the coming years. Long thought of as simply memory loss associated with old age, Alzheimer’s is actually a degenerative disease that kills brain cells, literally choking healthy brain tissue and causing it to die. Early stages of the disease are marked by memory loss and difficulty performing routine tasks. In the later stages, the brain is unable to process life-sustaining functions such as breathing.

And while medicine has continued to make marked improvements in curing diseases of the body, nearly half of those who live to age 85 will develop Alzheimer’s. One out of every eight people age 65 and older has the disease, and although it’s considered to be an aging disease, early on-set Alzheimer’s has been known to develop in the 40s and 50s.

Globally, there are 35 million people living with Alzheimer’s, and every 70 seconds someone in America develops the disease. And yet, as the disease becomes more widespread, funding has been cut or even eliminated. Gov. Schwarzenegger recently eliminated funding for Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Centers that provide relief for round-the-clock caregivers. Funds for Caregiver Research Centers were cut by 70 percent.

September 21 marked World Alzheimer’s Day, and the Alzheimer’s Association urged people across the nation to get involved and learn more about the issue. This year’s focus was “Diagnosing Dementia: See It Sooner” and called attention to early recognition of signs of the disease.

The prevalence of Alzheimer’s will not just influence the medical profession, but each and every corner of society. Legal ramifications of diminished mental capacity, transportation for patients unable to drive, managing trust accounts, business transactions and support for caregivers are all concerns that must be addressed. By 2050, experts predict more than 100 million people will have the disease, and costs will skyrocket.

On October 3, Sacramento-area residents committed to making a difference in the face of Alzheimer’s disease will gather on the south side of the Capitol building and embark on a walk to change lives. The event will bring together social services, care homes, physicians, families and patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Beginning at 10 a.m., walkers will have their choice of three routes – three miles, one mile and 50 feet – the longest of which will go to Sutter’s Fort and return.

There are an estimated 588,000 California families that deal with this disease. Last year’s fund raising enabled the Alzheimer’s Association to put on educational programs for 1,700 people, dispensed advice via helpline to over a thousand, hosted support groups for 1,800 and sent a newsletter to over 30,000 homes. Mary Gillon, regional director in Sacramento, notes that 255 volunteers last year turned in nearly 4,000 hours of service. Just a few hours on October 3 can help make a difference to half a million California families.

Spectrum 2009 - August 24th

Controversy Surrounds Barnum & Bailey Circus
Kelly Azevedo

Can be viewed here until September 1st.

When the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus rolls into Sacramento next week, they’ll bring 82 animals, performers from 11 countries, their first magician and a heated controversy.

The show, “Zing Zang Zoom,” is in the first of its two-year run, which will visit 80 cities across the states, including seven performances at Arco Arena beginning on August 27. A franchise that goes back to PT Barnum’s first show in 1872, the circus still features exotic animals, clowns and human acrobatic performances.

The menagerie includes 11 Asian elephants weighing a collective 100,000 pounds that each eat 160 pounds of food every day, and 13 Bengal Tigers will share the spotlight with horses, zebras, doves and performing dogs.

In the center of it all is 24-year old ringmaster and magician, Alex Ramon, a Bay Area native who is thrilled to be performing in California again. Ramon began his career performing at birthday parties at the age of 15, and he transitioned to magic shows at libraries, including a stop in Woodland in 2008.

Ramon was the recipient of the San Francisco Bay Area’s Best Stage Magician award and the Lance Burton award, given to the National Teenage Champion Magician by the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas. Before becoming the first magician to work with Barnum & Bailey, Ramon toured with Disney Live! to 14 countries on four continents.

This year marks the 41st anniversary of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Clown College, intended to “save the ancient and honorable art of clowning.” Backstage in Clown Alley, performers apply their own greasepaint and size 28EEEEE shoes before the show. The artists will perform mimes, ride unicycles, walk on stilts, spin plates, juggle, spit water and throw pies.

Yet some animal welfare groups, led by PETA, allege abuse, and the Sacramento, East Bay and San Francisco SPCAs, along with the Oakland Zoo, called for a boycott when the circus stops at Arco Arena next week.

Libby Morris is Ringling Bros. elephant trainer and is a fourth generation animal trainer for the circus who describes the 11 Asian elephants as “part of the family.” Morris traveled in a small tent circus until she was 17, when she met her husband, and they struck out on their own. Some of the youngest performers ever to buy their own elephants and become contract circus performers, the Morris family now includes two sons, 11-years old and 16 months.

Libby Morris calls the team of elephants “the girls” and speaks with pride of Asia, the show’s diva who has a personality that enjoys performing. Morris maintains that she and the staff would never abuse the animals, and their overall health and longevity demonstrate the care they receive.

“You just don’t abuse an animal and see it live to 52-years old,” Morris explains, highlighting one of the older elephants that travels but does not perform as the younger animals do.

“I love them to death, but they are wild animals, so there is a line we have to keep,” she added. Morris invited skeptics to see the animals during the pre-show where Asia will be creating a painting to give away and everyone can see up close how healthy and alert the animals are.

Morris is the first woman in Ringling Bros. history to present 11 elephants in the ring, and she arrives in a destination city before the train in order to receive hay and food shipments and prepare the holding areas for her animals.

“The elephants each have their own space in the car, right behind the engine, where the ride is smoothest. We tether their leg like a seatbelt to keep them safe.”

“I would never abuse my livelihood,” Morris concluded.

Spectrum 2009 - July 14th

Staying Safe as Summer Heat Rises
July 14, 2009

Summer is here, and it’s heating up in the Sacramento region. With temperatures rising to 100 degrees and beyond, staying cool can mean the difference between life and death, especially for seniors. A two-week heat wave in July 2006 resulted in the death of 143 people in California.

For some, escaping to the mall or a tall, cold ice tea can go a long way. The two basic tenets of keeping cool are to avoid being in the sun for long periods of time and staying hydrated.

During sustained heat waves, characterized by temperatures over 100 degrees during the day that do not dip below 75 at night, cooling centers are often open around the state as part of the Heat Emergency Plan.

In lieu of making the trip to a designated cooling center, one may opt to gather with friends at a local church, public library, pool or community center. The importance of social connections is exemplified during the summer months when heat-related illness can come on suddenly. Gathering with friends a few days each week will not only ensure that everyone is well, but it will save the cost of cooling several homes in the midst of a heat wave.

For those planning to ride out the hot days at home, just a few simple steps can keep the house cool. Dave Thompson, founder of Thompson’s Heating and Air Conditioning in Woodland, notes: “There are a number of things a homeowner can do, starting with keeping your system well-maintained.”

Thompson recommends hiring a professional to check out the unit along with the duct work. “A professional will ensure that the system is oiled correctly, that there is enough Freon and that the duct work is connected properly.”

Thompson notes that homeowners should ask for a second opinion on repairs since “98 to 99 percent of homes have leaky duct work, which amounts to cooling attic space instead of living spaces.”

Shutting off the air vents in unused rooms can backfire if the duct work is not properly sealed, as a closed vent will increase the pressure in the duct work and possibly push more cool air through the leaks. If the duct work is properly sealed, then using a damper to divert airflow from unused rooms can be an efficient cooling strategy.

Some maintenance can be completed by the homeowner, too, including keeping the air filter clean and hosing down the outside unit every few weeks during hot weather. To keep the condenser outside working at maximum efficiency, Thompson recommends keeping the unit in a shady area by planting shrubs around it or building a lattice.

“And remember to keep a 1-foot clearance around the perimeter,” he said.

Thompson acknowledges that service rates are generally higher during the peak summer heat, so it’s advisable to schedule those appointments early. Plan on servicing the heating system for winter in late September, and schedule air conditioner maintenance in April or May. Schedules are typically more flexible, and the rates may be one-third of what customers will pay in the middle of the season.

Ceiling fans, portable room fans or windows units can be used strategically to lower temperatures and reduce heavy central air system usage.

Ceiling fans come with forward and reverse settings. In forward mode, the fan will blow air down – which is advised in conjunction with central air because it will distribute cool air down – creating a nice breeze. During the winter months, using reverse mode will circulate the warmer air near the ceiling without creating a direct breeze.

There is no universal direction for reverse and forward modes, as the design of the blades differ from model to model. To determine which setting to use, turn off the fan at the light switch, and wait for the blades to stop turning. Use a step stool to locate the switch near the origin of the blades, and stand under the fan to determine should turn clockwise or counter-clockwise.

To improve the efficiency of cooling units, shut off heat-producing appliances when they’re not in use. Hang towels on the clothes line, air dry the dishes, and turn off the TV when it’s not being watched. Draw the shades when you can, and keep the fridge and freezer doors closed.

In the long run, the best way to naturally cool your home is to plant shade trees and shrubs around the perimeter of your house. Vegetation is naturally cooler than hard surfaces, and it will not absorb as much heat. Awnings and sunscreens can also be used to shield your home from the sun.

During the winter months, it’s common to take precautions to prevent hypothermia. But heat strokes are a potentially fatal condition and a medical emergency characterized by a body temperature of up to 106 degrees.

Heat strokes can be exacerbated by dehydration, and the elderly are uniquely susceptible. Conditions such as heart, lung or kidney disease, and some medications, make an individual more vulnerable to heat stroke. Consult with your physician about the precautions to take if you’re at risk.

Symptoms of a heat stroke include muscle cramps, headaches, weakness and fatigue, vomiting, nausea and dizziness. The best thing to do if some of these symptoms are present is to seek a cooler environment and spray the skin with cool water while awaiting medical professionals.

Additionally, if you’re experiencing the discomfort that comes with a heat wave, remember to check on your pets. Contact your veterinarian for tips on how your pet should be groomed during the summer months, and make sure outdoor animals have water and plenty of shade to escape the direct sunlight.

Hard surfaces such as asphalt or even wood decks can be too hot to walk across, so make sure water is accessible in a cool spot. Occasionally test the temperature of your pet’s water, and add ice cubes if necessary.

Just a few simple steps will help keep us cool and healthy this summer, and with a bit of planning, you’ll be ready for next year, as well.

Spectrum 2009 - June 16th

Grandma’s Desk Holds Hidden Treasure
June 16, 2009

I have a confession: I am obsessed with a desk. Not just any desk, however; after years of delighting in the press board, assemble-it-yourself IKEA type furniture, I have found rhapsody in a desk. My grandma’s desk.

Throughout the years I’ve sat in many desks. First was the old school desk with a flip-up top and attached seat. By the time I went to college, I had gone through five or six desks, from the press board number to one that was so shallow I had to sit at an angle to see my computer screen.

In the dorm rooms, we had the same style desk in six different rooms. Sometimes, the drawers were off track; other units were chipped, scratched and faded. All were heavy, hard to move and ugly. My first apartment featured a metal desk that could be moved on casters. Of course, doing so meant that all the items on the desk went careening to the floor. But it had wheels!

Then I fell in love with a large, pine, six-drawer desk that my grandma had used for years. I’d never really noticed it, buried under papers and housing a computer that my grandma tried to learn but never mastered.

One day, with permission, I decided to claim the desk as my own. I began to disassemble it. As I emptied the drawers, I suddenly found Jesus. No, really – a photo of Jesus hidden at the bottom of the desk, as if he’d misbehaved. Snickering, I grabbed some wood polish and began to scrub the unit, the cloth revealing inch-by-inch of beautiful craftsmanship and solid construction.

Sitting at this desk is like putting on my grandma’s glasses and viewing her own world. She was the CFO for her family of six. Grandma encouraged us to manage our own finances and savings with the same diligence as she. She was a wonderful collector of cards, and not just for show; she sent them for each holiday, birthday, anniversary and accomplishment.

Once she gave my brother a card “for a BIG boy on his BIG day.” At 23, he was not amused. I also received a card from the slightly disorganized box addressed to “birthday-female.”

But I find myself smiling as I sit down to write a sympathy card to a friend who has recently lost her father, because, at this old pine desk, it feels like family tradition.

And although Grandma’s computer rarely got turned on, knowing that she kept it teaches me to always keep learning. One of my aunts painted the power button with pink nail polish, so she could turn it on without calling her 7-year-old grandson to help.

I, too, must know how to ask for help when I am out of my element. Hidden inside the drawers and files are notes – lots of notes – a seldom-used journal noting Grandma’s youngest daughter is pregnant with a boy; a reminder of an upcoming anniversary dinner; and notes from a Sunday sermon, all collected and stored, sometimes haphazardly, in this old desk.

Those notes don’t speak of my grandma’s cluttered desk or mind. Her notes, her desk, and her life represent the love of a thousand friends and the bond of a family connected by more than mere cards.

I, for one, am thankful that I can sit down every day at my grandma’s desk and work, love and live as she did. Maybe that’s the legacy of this wonderful piece of pine. Maybe my appreciation lies not with a desk, but the woman who occupied it.

Spectrum 2009 - June 2nd

Deputy Chief Serrano Marks 34 Years of Law Enforcement
June 2, 2009

West Sacramento Deputy Chief Henry Serrano now spends most of his time at the station house, but he spent many years patrolling the streets. That’s not to say his present days are quiet, though. After getting his start in the Sacramento County Department of Jails and Courts in 1975, Serrano has experienced a successful career that has spanned more than three decades of service to the Sacramento region.

Serrano has seen his share of changes in the last 34 years but has found the ability to adapt the response of the police force, hopefully proactively, in order to meet changing needs and to ensure public safety.

And while some communities have experienced a rise in crime as the economy falters, Serrano says there has been no such radical flux in West Sacramento. He credits small police teams, which follow emerging crime patterns, such as car vandalisms, and he devises individualized strategies to ensure a safe community. Serrano oversees the duties of 115 staff members, and his outlook is one of “robust and continuous oversight.”

The duties of deputy chief are as unique as the citizens of West Sacramento. Serrano constantly works to build and reinforce a bridge between the community and the officers that serve it. Serrano is the head of operations, and he is faced with everything from financial challenges, ensuring equitable division of services and community outreach coordination.

Many communities are facing record deficits and constraints in the face of budget reductions, but the West Sacramento Police Department has employed a proactive strategy to maintain services to the community.

Serrano reveals that the department’s executive team has been working for several months to ensure minimal community impact, which means that officers will remain on patrol. In difficult times, Serrano praises the “volunteers who fill the void.”

The Volunteers In Policing, or VIP, force is a collection of adult community members who spent over 30 hours in specialized training in order to serve. The VIP program works to match the abilities of volunteers to the station needs, and volunteers can be found in records, fingerprinting, fleet maintenance, document preparation and assisting community meetings.

Serrano is often in attendance at community outreach events, such as last year’s Senior Center BBQ and summertime Ice Cream Social. West Sacramento is still a young city, and Serrano has found that the growing city relies on a team that adapts to changing needs.

“The relationship is never static; we continually review and revise plans,” Serrano confirms, highlighting recent disaster training. The city continually evaluates and improves plans which address prevention, preparedness, response and recovery to both natural disasters and homeland security threats.

With communication at the forefront, the station has a myriad of choices to connect residents to the information they desire. Times and locations of community meetings, for example, can be found by contacting the department or logging onto the department Web site: http://www.cityofwestsacramento.org.

Community events often feature informative pamphlets that connect citizens to other government and nonprofit agencies. A unique program to ensure community awareness is West Sacramento’s Crime Mapping. Updated daily through the department Web site, the crime map gives detailed information on recent crimes reported within the city.

Serrano believes the community and the police must work together to address crime, and he highlights the Community Response Team, which allows residents to make anonymous crime reports and provide tips to deputies.

One example is the attention drawn to Elder Abuse Prevention. The station has pamphlets available for citizens that go beyond the passive information. By engaging neighborhood watch programs, directing concerned citizens to a “Tip Line,” and promising to investigate every claim, “leaving no stone unturned,” the officers make every effort to protect and serve.

Serrano himself grew up in the area and lives in the community with his wife of 33 years. With a son-in-law on the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, Kevin McKinty, and his first grandchild on the way, Serrano understands the growing need for a capable and proactive police force. To that end, he turns to recruitment efforts encouraging lateral hires as well as those with no prior training to enter the Sacramento County Sheriffs Academy.

Serrano’s oldest son Peter, 28, just graduated from Florida Coastal Law School, and another son, Shawn, 26, is starting his Master’s Degree program in behavioral psychology at Claremont College. Serrano beamed with pride as he discussed his boys and his daughter Laura, 30, who is expecting baby “Jack” very soon.

A growing city like West Sacramento surely needs a leader like Serrano, say fellow officers. As a 34-year veteran of the industry, Serrano retired from Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department before landing in West Sacramento three and a half years ago. He has found new challenges in the city but draws on his experience from his four and a half years as police chief with the Citrus Heights Police Department.

Working now under Police Chief Dan Drummond, whom Serrano calls a “capable and intelligent leader,” you can find Deputy Chief Henry Serrano behind the helm directing his staff and volunteers to provide the best service possible.

It’s a career that Serrano calls “challenging and rewarding with needs that constantly change and grow.”

Spectrum 2008 - Nov. 25th

UC Davis Doctor Trains Next Generation of Geriatricians
November 25, 2008

Whether you're approaching life's second half and wondering what to expect in the coming years or facing a challenging diagnosis, UC Davis' Dr. Michael McCloud is a man you'd want at your side. In addition to his work as an attending physician at the geriatric clinic at the UC Davis School of Medicine, McCloud is busy educating the community on healthy living and training the next generation of geriatricians to meet the ever changing demands of aging patients.

In an effort to teach better aging techniques, Dr. McCloud envisioned UC Davis' Aging and Medical Science: A Mini Medical School to Prepare for Life's Second Half in 2003. When the program begins its seventh year in February 2009, over 2,000 members of the greater Sacramento area (ranging between the ages of 23 and 97) will have graduated from the program designed to teach optimal physical and mental health.

Topics in the Mini Medical School include joint health, the importance of sleep and nutrition, dietary supplements, and, new this year, the myths and realities of alcohol and health. The six-week series of lectures is presented by faculty physicians and research scientists from the UC Davis School of Medicine along with special guests from top universities.

Just last week, Dr. McCloud heard from a Mini Medical School graduate whose vision became distorted while she was out driving. Instead of ignoring the passing symptom, this savvy senior remembered her class on eye health and drove directly to an ophthalmologist. The diagnosis was retinal detachment, and immediate treatment saved her eyesight.

The free lectures are already full for the Spring 2009 class, but UC Davis plans on continuing the popular series, which has already made an impact in many lives.

Until recently, Dr. McCloud sat on the Alzheimer's Association of Northern California's Board of Directors. He takes a special interest in the mental health of adults over 50.

As an advocate of continuing education, McCloud says, "You absolutely can control your health." And to do so, he tells patients to, "Make it your hobby, and invest in yourself."

With such a large body of knowledge within the grasp of many seniors, McCloud suggests they begin their education by learning about medications and the attendant side effects, complications and alternative therapies.

"A patient's best self-defense becomes education and devoting the time and energy into learning more about maintaining a healthy lifestyle," he said.

After 15 years in private practice, McCloud returned to school himself, earning a specialty in geriatrics at Duke University. He said the demand for qualified geriatricians grows more dire as the baby boomer generation ages.

Unfortunately, many primary care physicians have never had even one hour of geriatrics training, and most are "learning on the backs of their patients," said McCloud.

When it comes to selecting a good geriatrician, Dr. McCloud recommends talking freely during office visits, sharing your concerns and asking questions. Additionally, each office visit should not end with a new prescription. A qualified geriatrician will examine what medications can be discontinued as well as added.

And if the phrase "At your ag,e you've got to expect this" is used to explain or excuse pain symptoms, then it's time to find a new doctor. After all, McCloud explains, if you're 74 years old and that means pain in the right knee, why shouldn't your left knee have the same pain?

Dr. McCloud is taking affirmative steps to ensure that there are more geriatricians in the coming years. A frequent participant in geriatric training programs, McCloud splits his week between his internal medicine practice in Davis and teaching fellows at the University Hospital.

There are currently an estimated 7,000 geriatricians in the United States, many involved exclusively in laboratory work and teaching. And it is estimated that the demand for these physicians will grow to over 20,000 geriatricians in the near future.

"What makes a difference to a medical student when choosing a specialty is working with a doctor in that field and making a connection," McCloud explains.

And McClou's teaching spirit is not exclusive to medical students, as he is a popular speaker in the Sacramento region. His community outreach includes presentations on topics such as Direct Drug Marketing, Tips for Preventing Medicine Mishaps, and Working with Older Adults with Dementia, Delirium and Depression.

McCloud gives outreach presentations to groups such as Aging and Adult Services, Men's Health Forum and numerous retirement communities. One recent talk to a group of lawyers helped distinguish the medical, and therefore legal, implications of brain injuries on an adult's legal status.

By understanding the difference between Alzheimer's disease and other disorders causing memory and intellectual decline, such as strokes and metabolic diseases, lawyers can operate better, and thus better protect their clients, knowing how to legally determine competence and incompetence.

When it comes to a disease like Alzheimer's that affects an entire family, Dr. McCloud acknowledges that a different approach is needed, one where the entire family is involved. Promising studies will help identify family histories, teach preventable hazards like head trauma and help identify healthy lifestyle choices that may delay a neurological disease such as Alzheimer's.

"As physicians come to understand the causes and treatments of disease, we can work better as a community to address them in a proactive matter," he said.

One thing is certain, Dr. Michael McCloud has taken proactive to a new level providing his patients, the university and the community with an amazing service.

"The UCD Department of Internal Medicine is dedicated to providing superior clinical care, research and education. The University of California's motto is Fiat Lux - Let There Be Light - the beacon that challenges us to pass the torch of higher education to future generations," said David Eastis, Development Officer for the UC Davis Department of Internal Medicine.

"And that's precisely what Dr. McCloud is doing through his internal medicine practice in David, his teaching fellows at the University Hospital and his teaching the community at the Mini Medical School."

Spectrum 2008 - Oct 21st

16th Annual Memory Walk at State Capitol Benefits Alzheimer's Association
October 21, 2008

Braving the threat of rain, over 2,000 registered walkers arrived at the State Capitol on Saturday, October 4th, for the 16th annual Memory Walk in Sacramento to show their support and to turn in donations raised for Alzheimer's research and community support services. Attendees and walkers ranged from patients, doctors, family and friends of those affected by the disease, caregivers and community outreach leaders.

Nationally sponsored by Genworth Financial, the Memory Walk is the main fund raising vehicle for the Alzheimer's Association, which relies on donations to provide a wide range of services for those affected by the disease.

From support groups and literature to teaching seminars and caregiver training, the Association gives 24-hour help to families with few other places to turn. Decreased federal funding and the state budget crises have put into question future funding even though the need for services is now greater than ever.

Alzheimer's is a neurological disease without a known cause. Every 71 seconds someone develops Alzheimer's. It's estimated that 10 million baby boomers will develop the disease in their lifetime. Little is known about Alzheimer's even though it's the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

Community awareness is lacking. Half a million Americans under the age of 65 have Alzheimer's or a related dementia, and at this time, there is no treatment to cure, delay or stop the progression of the disease.

The Alzheimer's Association is a wealth of information on care provider services, respite care, medical and legal rights, and drug trials and therapies. As patients reach the later stages of the disease, it is imperative that their wishes are respected and that they have advocates in the community to speak on their behalf. The Memory Walk highlights not only this debilitating disease, but also the services available to fight against it.

The event kicked off at 8 a.m. with a breakfast hosted by Genworth Financial and Oakdale Heights for walkers with donations totaling over $500. Registration continued throughout the morning as supporters visited vendor booths, fueled up with breakfast in the cafe and posed for team pictures.

A special Children's Corner hosted a variety of games for young people and a special project to honor those living with the disease. Participants dipped their hands in paint and left their print on the banner, which was inscribed with the message "Touched by Alzheimer's."

Nick Toma from Good Day Sacramento and Adrienne Bankert from KCRA 3 hosted the live program highlighting the services provided by the Alzheimer's Association and introducing special guests.

Banners, balloons, team shirts and signs were displayed with pride as walkers too the path toward a future without Alzheimer's disease. Residents of local assisted living facilities also participated in the 3-mile jaunt around the Capitol building. The throng of walkers soon thinned out as everyone set their own pace. And at the end, groups crossed the finish line together, many with elbows linked or arms raised in victory.

And the event was victorious, raising $255,000 and still counting.

Spectrum 2008 - Sept. 23rd

'Stop.Listen.Care.' Campaign Educated Public About Elder Abuse
September 23, 2008

The Sacramento County Adult & Aging Commission has unveiled a new program, "Stop.Listen.Care," a campaign designed to prevent elder abuse by raising awareness and developing a community of compassion.

This groundbreaking program combines the resources of Health & Human Services, the Adult & Aging Commission, utility providers and the county commissioners to ensure the well-being of seniors and dependent adults within our community.

Legislators and leaders throughout Sacramento County have rallied together, answering the Commission's call to action, and they have begun to branch out within their sphere of influence, inviting others to join the campaign.

Led by Chairwoman Geraldine Esposito, the Adult & Aging Commission will provide speaker's bureaus and campaign literature in an effort to teach the community ways to identify, prevent and report abuse.

Most are familiar with Child Protective Services, but very few are aware of Adult Protective Services (APS), which exists to maintain the health and safety of elderly and dependent adults.

Adult Protective Services is a state-mandated service program that investigates situations involving report os danger due to abuse, neglect, exploitation and hazardous or unsafe living conditions.

Just as we are charged with the responsibility of caring for children who do not have the capabilities to provide for themselves, we must also recognize the adults around us who require assistance to live healthy, happy lives, says Esposito.

The campaign is an effort to educate the public and show how each person is part of the solution when it comes to providing a safety net for seniors and dependent adults. In many situations involving abuse, it takes just one concerned individual speaking up to initiate change.

Elder abuse is a tragedy that affects Californians of all ages. Twelve percent of Sacramento County's population is 65 or older, part of the fastest-growing segment of the population nationwide. Reports of elder abuse have increased 150 percent nationwide in the past decade.

Stop.Listen.Care Committee Chair Peggy Forseth-Andrews reminds us that "it will take everyone working together to create the kind of community where we all want to spend the rest of our lives."

The Sacramento APS received about 450 calls reporting abuse or neglect of a senior or a dependent adult each month. The abuse transcends physical violence and the intentional misuse of medication or unauthorized restraint. Abuse may also be sexual, emotional or verbal in nature.

Neglect is an often overlooked form of abuse involving the deprivation of water, food, housing, clothing or medical care. It may also come from a situation created due to self-neglect as an individual is unwilling or unable to care for, provide for or portect themselves. By training neighbors, business people and caregivers to recognize the denial of basic needs, it is the Committee's goal to enable a proactive community of caring.

Adult Protective Services stands ready to assist the Adult & Aging Commission with programs in place to provide 24-hour emergency response services, mobilize emergency personnel as needed, provide counseling services and act as an advocate for those with hardships.

As needs are identified, services such as meal delivery, transportation, financial and medical assistance may be dispatched. APS is charged with investigating allegations of abuse or neglect with the goal of preventing further mistreatment.

"By enabling our community members to reach out to others by giving them suggestions to act on as well as providing them with resources for which to assist, we really can create an umbrella of protection. In reality, this campaign is asking people to do just what we all wand; someone to take the time to stop, listen and care about us," concluded Forseth-Andrews.

In the future, members of the Commission will be organizing speaker's bureaus to foster community understanding as well as a business owner's luncheon to garner support. Now is the time to ask yourself how you can become involved in this important mission to care for our peers and family members - those around us who cannot speak for themselves any longer.

Take the time to learn about this important program, say advocates. Listen to those around you for signs of abuse, and care for the elders and dependent adults in your life.

For more information, campaign materials or to attend a speaker's bureau, contact the Adult & Aging Commission at (916) 447-7063.

Spectrum 2008 - Sept. 9th

Gold Rush Comes Alive in Old Sacramento

September 9, 2008

On Labor Day weekend, thousands arrived in Old Sacramento as the area turned back the clock to celebrate the 1848 Gold Rush that established our capital city.

After a slow summer season due to the I-5 project detours, Old Sac came alive again as thousands of area residents came to witness the shootouts, enjoy the sarsaparilla and take a stagecoach ride. Many attendees recounted Sacramento history from the gold rush days. The Railroad Museum and state historians coordinated the three-day event to provide an accurate portrait of the time period.

First introduced in 1998 and a yearly event since 2000, Gold Rush Days is put on by the Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau. Volunteers from the bureau were on hand to pass out weekend schedules and information while city police worked outside to direct traffic. The wooden plank sidewalks creaked as people recreated the hustle and bustle the Gold Rush ushered in 150 years ago.

The 28 riverfront acres of Old Sacramento is comprised of 53 historical buildings and is a National and California Historical Landmark, which has become a favorite stop for shopping and dining.

The Old Sacramento Business Association provides historical walking tours and trips on the steam train for interested parties year round. But for three days each summer, the streets are once again covered in dirt, and horseless carriages give way to horse-drawn wagons.

Actor John Redgwick stood on patrol as Wells Fargo Special Agent Harry Morse, the man who helped capture famed stagecoach robber Charles "Black Bart" Bolton. He explained that they rarely reenact that scene during events as "it's a rather boring story; the capture came down to good old fashioned detective work."

And Redgwick would know; he also portrays Black Bart, whom he describes as a "fascinating character" who first arrived in Sac Town in 1850 and had a long journey before his capture in 1883.

Handlebar mustaches, pocket watches, top hats and parasols were once again seen on the streets of Sacramento. Some event participants made their own costumes as the original characters would have done. Peggy Morgan-Pond wore a gingham print dress and appreciated the mild temperatures and breezy conditions which kept her cool despite the heavy fabric and petticoat that comprised her ensemble.

The streets were filled with dance demonstrations, vendors and the very popular recreation of a grand shootout at the corner of 4th and J streets. The discovery of gold hastened the development of Sacramento, and the influx of miners eventually led to the 1850 Squatters Riots that counted among its victims the city mayor and sheriff.

The 1847 Mormon Batalion held a revival tent meeting, the preaching rising over the calls to play cards from the saloon down the dirt road. Laundry demonstrations exhibited manpower over Maytag, and women sat cross stitching, showing their talent with a needle and thread. The event emphasized hands-on learning as families bumped down the streets in antique carriages and water sloshed out of gold prospector's pans.

Thirty-seven year residents of Sacramento, Reid and Carol Buchanan, were first time visitors to the event and described the scene along the street as "simply amazing." As self-proclaimed horse lovers, the couple appreciated seeing the animals most of all.

Pony Express riders came roaring down the streets in a cloud of dust, stopping their horses only to hand off the mail to the next rider. In between rides, the animals were allowed to relax in the shade as the first postmen told of long days and cold nights on the trail.

Sacramento Railroad Museum docent Cher Johnson played the piano outside a gambling parlor erected in the street, singing hymns and period music for even visitors. Johnson was joined by Roseville residents Elizabeth and Mattison Schwieren, a 4-year-old girl who climbed on the bench and pounded on the keys despite being unable to reach the pedals. A long time piano teacher, Johnson noted that Mattison would be a good piano student one day.

Old Sacramento merchants appreciated the influx of visitors on the holiday weekend as tourists tried on hats and clothing from every era. Children could be found elbow deep in the taffy barrels at Candy Heaven and tempted by the creations at Sacramento Sweets Co.

When it came time to rest, many flocked to the outdoor Farmer's Market and Grill sponsored by Safeway, pulling up a hay bale to hear country western bands liven up the stage. Event attendees were sometimes delayed as the Tower Bridge rose to allow passage for the Spirit of Sacramento riverboat as it cruised upstream, but few complaints could be heard as 1848 Sacramento provided sights, smells and sounds for everyone to enjoy.

If you missed this year's Gold Rush Days, don't fret. Sacramento will leapfrog into the 1900s this week as the Towe Auto Museum holds the 100-year celebration of Henry Ford's Model T on September 12-14.

Spectrum 2008 - August 19th

Twenty-Something Shares Insight Into Grandma's Generation
Guest Column
Published August 19, 2008

Greetings from the other end of the spectrum. As a 23-year-old, it may seem that I have little to contribute to a publication that focuses on the needs of seniors. Three years ago I would have agreed with you. In 2005, I was a college senior, far from being worried about Social Security benefits, the cost of medication or family legacies.

But a single decision has brought me miles from that place; 3,000 miles to be precise. When I finished college in Virginia, I was dazed and confused. I had no earthly idea what to do after 16 years of advisers telling me what class to take next, what internship to apply for next or what dorm to move to next. There was no suggested class schedule for life.

The options were intimidating. In my mind, moving home was for losers, and finding a job and thus moving away from the comfort of friends and family scared me out of my recently-educated mind. I could have just kept going to school, which would involve more loan debt and less idea about what I wanted to do with my life. I could join the Peace Corps, but I don't look good in green.

Somehow, in the chaos of determining my life's path, I came to the decision to move to Sacramento to care for my grandparents in exchange for a rent-free room and the opportunity to delay those life-altering decisions for another few years. Surprisingly, that was the life-altering decision I'd been afraid of making.

As I've spent the last 26 months caring for my grandparents, I have developed a certain appreciation of their lives, their lifestyles and their choices. You have have been blessed with children and subsequent grandchildren. If you're lucky, you may even have a positive relationship with some of them. Even if you don't know the details of each grandchild's school, hobbies and dreams, allow me to share my take on the generation at the other end of the spectrum.

My generation is stubborn. We're largely idiots who want it all without paying our dues. We talk in numbers and symbols (if U kno LOL) and have little understanding of our history. For example, I knew my grandparents had never traveled internationally to exotic locales. But thumbing through their photo albums, I realized they'd used every vacation to visit family members across the nation - going to Dollywood and St. Louis and driving through redwoods, always with family.

Until she was unable to drive, my grandmother traveled around town in a 1991 Oldsmobile. I thought it was ugly. The seats creaked, and it had enough cat hair on the hood to genetically engineer a new Fluffy. But there was the evidence in her financial records and "thank you" cards from a half dozen used cars bought for us grandkids when we were young and newly licensed.

In a world where everything seems to be drive-thru, my grandma was a proponent of home-cooked meals, fresh produce straight from the farm and ice cream for dessert. My grandpa was a proponent of taking her out for a hamburger, treating his friends and co-workers to a meal and ignoring his diabetes meter in favor of a birthday celebration with a friend.

Every day in a hundred ways I see the evidence of my grandparent's values. Many of those are values I want to incorporate in my own life. None of this came to me in a grand "let me tell you about life lessons, girlie" speech. It came as I helped grandma prepare a home-made meal; as I drove grandpa to his support meetings and grandma to church. The lessons flooded in with cards from family, photo albums on the shelf and watching them live simple, beautiful lives.

I don't know you all personally, but I do know some of your children, your grand-children, maybe even your great-grandchildren. In many ways we're lost in the noise of advertising and programming and the busyness of life. Please, for me, for my peers and friends, make some iced tea, sit on the porch swing and share your wisdom.

the Senior Spectrum

I began writing for the Senior Spectrum weekly newspaper with a guest column on August 19th, 2008. The Spectrum is published in Sacramento and geared toward addressing the needs of the senior population. As the Spectrum does not currently have online archives I have re-published the articles here for my portfolio.

My articles with the Spectrum are as follows:

Twenty-Something Shares Insight Into Grandma's Generation - August 19th, 2008

Gold Rush Comes Alive in Old Sacramento - September 9th, 2008

'Stop.Listen.Care.' Campaign Educates Public About Elder Abuse - September 23rd, 2008

16th Annual Memory Walk at State Capitol Benefits Alzheimer's Association - October 21, 2008

UC Davis Doctor Trains Next Generation of Geriatricians November 25, 2008

Deputy Chief Serrano Marks 34 Years of Law Enforcement
June 2, 2009

Grandma's Desk Holds Hidden Treasures
June 16, 2009

Staying Safe as Summer Heat Rises
July 14, 2009