Latest news with #CaringKind
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Frasier' star David Hyde Pierce honors Reagan's 'turning point' in Alzheimer's awareness
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. - Fresh off of his performance at the Tonys, "Frasier" star and Broadway actor David Hyde Pierce emceed a gala to raise awareness for Alzheimer's disease in New York City on Monday, a cause close to his heart. Pierce led the cast of Broadway's "Pirates of Penzance," which was nominated for best revival of a musical, in an entertaining performance at Sunday's Tony Awards. But the theater is only one of Pierce's passions. The actor served as the Master of Ceremonies for the CaringKind Gala to help raise awareness of Alzheimer's on Monday evening at Cipriani restaurant in Midtown Manhattan. Pierce has a personal connection to the cause because his father suffered from dementia and his grandfather battled Alzheimer's. Ahead of his hosting duties, Pierce tried to dispel some misconceptions about Alzheimer's, as well as offered advice on how loved ones can still make the effort to stay connected to those affected by it. "I think it's always miraculous, what people sense, and feel, and know, beyond what we can imagine," Pierce told Fox News Digital. First Blood Test For Alzheimer's Diagnosis Cleared By Fda "You know, I'm old enough to have experienced that many times," he continued. "It's a privilege to be with someone making that final transition and in that moment, you just don't know. You have faith and hope that just your presence there is enough. It's just – they may not be able to respond in the way you're used to them responding, but that doesn't mean they're not listening." Read On The Fox News App Alzheimer's has been portrayed onscreen over the years in movies like "The Notebook" and "The Father," and Pierce said some of these examples have helped those afflicted "feel more seen." "One thing I've noticed, there are so many wonderful, accurate, compassionate portrayals now, onstage, on film, and it's a tribute to the commitment of the actors, and the writers and directors," he said. "It's also a reflection of how prevalent these diseases are, that more and more people know about them." CaringKind CEO Eleonora C. Tornatore-Mikesh offered the 2014 film "Still Alice" as another accurate portrayal of Alzheimer's, noting that her foundation even worked with Julianne Moore while she was prepping for the movie. Moore plays a renowned professor who discovers she's been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's. Tornatore-Mikesh said the impact of the film was far-reaching. "Definitely pop culture always helps increase concern and awareness," she said. Alzheimer's Disease Could Be Prevented By Antiviral Drug Already On Market The late President Ronald Reagan is often credited with helping bring the disease into the American public consciousness. In November 1994, a few years after he left office, he wrote a heartfelt letter to the American people revealing his diagnosis, hoping he would encourage more people to undergo testing and become more informed. "So now, we feel it is important to share it with you," Reagan wrote in part. "In opening our hearts, we hope this might promote greater awareness of this condition. Perhaps it will encourage a clearer understanding of the individuals and families who are affected by it." "At the moment, I feel just fine," he added. "I intend to live the remainder of the years God gives me on this earth doing the things I have always done. I will continue to share life's journey with my beloved Nancy and my family. I plan to enjoy the great outdoors and stay in touch with my friends and supporters." Pierce praised Reagan and his family for being so candid about his struggles. "President Reagan speaking publicly about his Alzheimer's was one of many turning points," Pierce said. "And not only President Reagan, but consequently, his daughter Maureen was a tireless fighter and advocate. And I had the great privilege of working by her side. At that time, I was in California too. We went to Washington together and fought for more funding for research. She was a real hero and inspiration to me." Reagan And Alzheimer's – What The Public Doesn't Know About The 40Th President Tornatore-Mikesh also praised Reagan for his work in bringing the disease to the forefront. "One hundred percent," she said. "Nancy Reagan and Ronald Reagan and their entire family, 'til this day, are one of the beacon families that have helped raise concern and awareness." An estimated 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease as of 2023, according to the Alzheimer's Association. In May, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the first-ever blood test to detect Alzheimer's, announcing its approval of the first in-vitro diagnostic device, Lumipulse. The method is intended for early Alzheimer's detection in adult patients over the age of 55 who are exhibiting signs and symptoms of the disease and is considered a breakthrough in patient care. Reagan concluded his 1994 letter by thanking Americans for allowing him the honor of serving as president. "I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life," he wrote. "I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead."Original article source: 'Frasier' star David Hyde Pierce honors Reagan's 'turning point' in Alzheimer's awareness
Fox News
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
'Frasier' star David Hyde Pierce honors Reagan's 'turning point' in Alzheimer's awareness
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. - Fresh off of his performance at the Tonys, "Frasier" star and Broadway actor David Hyde Pierce emceed a gala to raise awareness for Alzheimer's disease in New York City on Monday, a cause close to his heart. Pierce led the cast of Broadway's "Pirates of Penzance," which was nominated for best revival of a musical, in an entertaining performance at Sunday's Tony Awards. But the theater is only one of Pierce's passions. The actor served as the Master of Ceremonies for the CaringKind Gala to help raise awareness of Alzheimer's on Monday evening at Cipriani restaurant in Midtown Manhattan. Pierce has a personal connection to the cause because his father suffered from dementia and his grandfather battled Alzheimer's. Ahead of his hosting duties, Pierce tried to dispel some misconceptions about Alzheimer's, as well as offered advice on how loved ones can still make the effort to stay connected to those affected by it. "I think it's always miraculous, what people sense, and feel, and know, beyond what we can imagine," Pierce told Fox News Digital. "You know, I'm old enough to have experienced that many times," he continued. "It's a privilege to be with someone making that final transition and in that moment, you just don't know. You have faith and hope that just your presence there is enough. It's just – they may not be able to respond in the way you're used to them responding, but that doesn't mean they're not listening." Alzheimer's has been portrayed onscreen over the years in movies like "The Notebook" and "The Father," and Pierce said some of these examples have helped those afflicted "feel more seen." "One thing I've noticed, there are so many wonderful, accurate, compassionate portrayals now, onstage, on film, and it's a tribute to the commitment of the actors, and the writers and directors," he said. "It's also a reflection of how prevalent these diseases are, that more and more people know about them." CaringKind CEO Eleonora C. Tornatore-Mikesh offered the 2014 film "Still Alice" as another accurate portrayal of Alzheimer's, noting that her foundation even worked with Julianne Moore while she was prepping for the movie. Moore plays a renowned professor who discovers she's been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's. Tornatore-Mikesh said the impact of the film was far-reaching. "Definitely pop culture always helps increase concern and awareness," she said. The late President Ronald Reagan is often credited with helping bring the disease into the American public consciousness. In November 1994, a few years after he left office, he wrote a heartfelt letter to the American people revealing his diagnosis, hoping he would encourage more people to undergo testing and become more informed. "So now, we feel it is important to share it with you," Reagan wrote in part. "In opening our hearts, we hope this might promote greater awareness of this condition. Perhaps it will encourage a clearer understanding of the individuals and families who are affected by it." "At the moment, I feel just fine," he added. "I intend to live the remainder of the years God gives me on this earth doing the things I have always done. I will continue to share life's journey with my beloved Nancy and my family. I plan to enjoy the great outdoors and stay in touch with my friends and supporters." Pierce praised Reagan and his family for being so candid about his struggles. "President Reagan speaking publicly about his Alzheimer's was one of many turning points," Pierce said. "And not only President Reagan, but consequently, his daughter Maureen was a tireless fighter and advocate. And I had the great privilege of working by her side. At that time, I was in California too. We went to Washington together and fought for more funding for research. She was a real hero and inspiration to me." Tornatore-Mikesh also praised Reagan for his work in bringing the disease to the forefront. "One hundred percent," she said. "Nancy Reagan and Ronald Reagan and their entire family, 'til this day, are one of the beacon families that have helped raise concern and awareness." An estimated 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease as of 2023, according to the Alzheimer's Association. In May, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the first-ever blood test to detect Alzheimer's, announcing its approval of the first in-vitro diagnostic device, Lumipulse. The method is intended for early Alzheimer's detection in adult patients over the age of 55 who are exhibiting signs and symptoms of the disease and is considered a breakthrough in patient care. Reagan concluded his 1994 letter by thanking Americans for allowing him the honor of serving as president. "I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life," he wrote. "I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead."
CBS News
17-02-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Dementia impacts the caregiver as well as the patient, social workers say. Here's what's being done to help both.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, nearly 7 million Americans age 65 and older are already living with Alzheimer's and dementia. In this part of CBS News New York's Cost of Caregiving series, reporter Jennifer Bisram takes a look at what's being done to help New Yorkers living with the disease, and those who are caring for them. Symptoms of dementia Victoria Henriquez, who is 65, showers her 93-year old mother, Vivianna, with kisses every day in their Bronx home, moments her mom says give her joy. Henriquez has been caring for her mother, who has dementia, for more than a decade. "She asked me the same thing every five minutes. The worst part of this is the repetition," Henriquez said. Doctors say dementia affects your thinking, memory, reasoning, mood and personality. Alzheimer's disease is just one type of the illness. Social workers say there are warning signs. "The hallmark one is forgetting things," said Edward Cisek, the chief research grants and evaluation officer for Caring Kind. "It's putting something in the refrigerator that doesn't belong there." Helping loved ones navigate the stress of caregiving Caring Kind helps New Yorkers living with dementia and guides their caregivers through the challenging journey -- for free. "We have a new Connect to Living program, which helps keep people living with dementia engaged in their communities after their diagnosis," Cisek said. Dante Tipiani is a navigator and community builder with the organization. He also understands the pain, struggles and frustration. His father died from dementia last year. "That was tough, very tough, especially juggling professional work, personal work, and trying to get help for him and trying to live my life as well," Tipiani said. He been helping Henriquez and her mother maximize their time with one another. "She is able to look at the challenges that her mother throws and says, OK, this is how I'm going to react to that. I think she's more prepared," Tipiani said. "What's the scariest part about dementia?" Bisram asked. "Memory. Dementia robs you of memory," Tipiani said. Henriquez, who's also dealing with her own health challenges, says dementia doesn't just affect her mom; it impacts the whole family. She says the coaching and services are helping. "I will never let her go to a home," Henriquez said. "She took care of me when I was a child." Therapies that help those with the disease Tipiani says cognitive stimulation therapy, a healthy diet, socializing with friends and family, and managing your stress can help decrease chances of dementia, and added being patient is key when caring for someone with the disease, especially if they've wandered off before. "Reassure. I'm reassuring you it's okay, you are not home. There's also something called a therapeutic lie. 'We're going to go home in five minutes. We'll go home later.' Maybe it's as simple as having a conversation," Tipiani said. According to the state's Office for the Aging, more than 426,000 New Yorkers 65 and older have Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, and New York has the second highest projected prevalence of the disease in the country -- with the Bronx the highest in our area. That's why Caring Kind has a specific program in the borough to help improve eating habits and brain health. "We're asking people in the Bronx to follow this program for 30 days to help give them nudges for a healthier lifestyle," Cisek said. Experts say keeping the brain active and healthy will also decrease risks for dementia and help stimulate what's left. "The conversations you have with people, even learning new instruments, singing, dancing," Cisek said.
