LeadingAge, EMA to present 3 awards for leadership in dementia

A country music entertainer and his family, a film director and producer, a senior services provider and a woman who writes about her experiences with her mother, who has dementia, will be among those honored when LeadingAge and EMA present three awards at a new event, the Great Minds Gala, March 17 in Washington, DC.

The gala will be held in conjunction with LeadingAge PEAK Leadership Summit. All of the honorees were chosen for their “exceptional leadership in the quest to improve the lives of those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias,” according to the organizations.

The Senator William Proxmire Award will be given to the family of Glen Campbell, members of which have advocated for research, education and support related to Alzheimer’s disease since 2011, when the disease was diagnosed in the country singer. Sharing the award will be film director/producer James Keach and producer Trevor Albert, whose documentary about Campbell's career and experiences with Alzheimer's disease is expected to be released soon.

The award is named for a late politician who had Alzheimer’s disease and lived at an EMA facility. The gala at which the award is to be presented was the vision of his widow, Ellen, according to the organizations.

The Excellence in Dementia Care Award will go to Ecumen, an organization that provides services to older adults in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.

The Family Caregiver Award will be presented to Kathy Ritchie of Phoenix, a dementia advocate whose mother has dementia and who writes a blog for young caregivers.

Related content: Glen Campbell, filmmakers show strength in making Alzheimer's documentary

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