September 10, 2019
What’s it like to care for a parent that no longer knows you? Is that still a “relationship”?
Join TEDx speaker, Gini Ballou as she shares the success, misses and humor of caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s.
After the talk, stay for a panel discussion with leaders in the field of brain health. Panelists include Adrean Cavener, Dr. Maria Maricich, Jovita Pina, and Joanne Cox. Aimee Christensen will moderate.
This event will be recorded and available for later viewing.
Gini Ballou has been a resident of the Wood River Valley for over 40 years. She served as main caregiver for her mother for several years until her death in 2008 from Alzheimer’s and ovarian cancer. Gini serves as Assistant Director of United Vision/United Action for Idaho, President of the Idaho Democratic Women’s Caucus, and Alzheimer’s Association Ambassador for ID/CD2.
Adrean Cavener is the Executive Director of the Greater Idaho Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. She came to the Association because her father, David, passed away 2 and a half years ago from the disease. She currently lives in Meridian, Idaho.
Joanne Cox has been a CNA for the last 25 years and has worked at nursing homes, assisted livings and private care. She started her path to the Senior Connection almost 3 years ago. Working first as a caregiver and then being promoted to the Connection Club—a respite class for family members to leave their loved ones who suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia. She continues to work in the Connection Club as well as being the Client Care Manager.
Jovita Pena is a native of the Wood River Valley and has 12 years’ experience in the nonprofit industry. Jovita’s role as the Senior Connection’s Associate Director of programs and services includes ensuring the center provides programs and services to seniors in the community.
Dr. Maria Maricich is the founder of The Wellness Clinic in Ketchum and Dr. Maria Online, a virtual practice to help people with dementia worldwide. She is a Doctor of Chiropractic and specializes in the new and emerging field of Functional Medicine, which looks for underlying causes of health problems rather than just treating the symptoms. Her passion is understanding the brain and applying evidence based natural methods to improve function and stop neurodegeneration.
Aimée Christensen is Founder & Executive Director of the Sun Valley Institute, a Center for Resilience, and CEO of Christensen Global Strategies, developing solutions for a resilient world. She has twenty-five years’ experience in policy, law, investment, philanthropy and business. In 2015 she founded the Sun Valley Institute to protect regional quality of life and to serve as a model and resource to communities everywhere, convening the annual Sun Valley Forum to share strategies and catalyze action.
