Kudos to Gov. Newsom for addressing Alzheimer’s in the Master Plan for Aging!

When we see a response to the needs of those affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias, we pay attention. Dementia has struck our family in a profound way and has changed how we look at our future. Do we plan holidays and adventures, or do we plan doctor visits and sheltered living? Both.

We are especially pleased to see that the plan addresses the pressing need to improve how our health care system deals with Alzheimer’s.

We were very fortunate that our proactive primary care physician helped us get an early diagnosis, but the mystery of dementia leads doctors to send patients, us included, home with little more than a prescription and a pamphlet. And then we muddle our way through health care, home care, and the inevitable results of cognitive impairment.

We hope Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and Sen. Mike McGuire will both support the plan’s recommendations to expand dementia training for California’s health care providers. It would have made our journey easier.

Wally and Pat Cox live in Lakeport, California.