An interview with Betsy Sloan on Advocacy for Alzheimer’s Disease on July 1, 2023 by George Ackerman, Ph.D, J.D.
Ironically Betsy’s Husband passed the same day my mother did………fate brought us together and we will be family now forever.
Biography
Betsy Wurzel is a graduate of Middlesex County Voc-Tech High School where she received License Practical Nurse training and diploma. Betsy has worked in various hospitals and worked in a state facility caring for the severally disabled clients.
Betsy began her advocacy when her husband Matt was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s and was disappointed and frustrated with the medical community. Betsy created and founded # Kick Alzheimer’s Ass Movement Group on Facebook in February 2019 so no one should ever walk their journey alone during caregiving or after caregiving!
Betsy was discovered by Jeanne M White who is Station Manager of Passionate World Talk Radio in June 2018. Betsy talked weekly on Jeanne White ‘s Caregiver Connect series and encouraged other caregivers to share their stories. Betsy started Chatting with Betsy show in September 2019. Betsy wants people to know there are resources out there to help them and they are not alone! Chatting with Betsy covers a variety of topics. Betsy was nominated for the Caregiving Visionary Advocate Award in Nov, 2021and received the award!
Matt was and will always be my inspiration for all I do!
Please tell me a little about your background and what got you involved with awareness.
I worked as an LPN for many years, did retail and worked as a teacher ‘s aide.
I have one son, Josh, who has a cognitive disability, so I am still a caregiver!
Matt and I were married on November 1st,1980.
I never heard of Alzheimer’s until my mom in law was diagnosed. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much information in 2000. I didn’t know about hallucinations or sundowning or what to expect. We took care of mom for 5 years before placing her. My dad also had Alzheimer’s. My older brother had memory problems before he died. In 2010, Matt was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s. We were told Matt was too young and that he couldn’t have Alzheimer’s!
Can you tell me more about your organization?
I went on Facebook on 2014 and went crazy join support groups! I found out I wasn’t alone!
I started doing videos in my car about raising awareness on Early Onset Alzheimer’s and talked about caregiving in 2016. In June 2018, Jeanne White who is Station Manager for Passionate World Talk Radio Network saw one of my videos and contacted me about an interview on her show.
After the interview, Jeanne asked if I would talk weekly on her show for caregivers.
In September 2019, I was given my show, Chatting with Betsy. I would interview caregivers then I expanded interviewing many different types of guests on a variety of topics!
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Alzheimer’s disease awareness and hope for a cure?
I want people to know that they are not alone and there are resources to help them!
I created and founded # Kick Alzheimer’s Ass Movement Group on Facebook on February 2019 after much encouragement from my friend, Lorri Lepore.
What type of goals do individuals with Alzheimer’s disease have when working with you?
My support group is for all people who are caregivers or post caregivers. I believe in education and advocacy. I feel no one should ever walk this journey alone during caregiving or after caregiving!
I feel it is my responsibility as a veteran caregiver to help others navigate through the caregiving waters! I believe we must speak up when there is injustice. It was a battle from getting a diagnosis to decent end of life care for Matt.
What effect can support have on an individual with Alzheimer’s disease?
I would hope that I could give them encouragement to live their life and enjoy their life to the fullest and do what they can. I also want them to be able to speak up for themselves and be an advocate for themselves for as long as they can be.
What would you like to see as a future goal for your awareness?
Matt was 56 at diagnosis and died at age 66. In November 2021, I was nominated and received the Caregiving Visionary Advocate Award from Caregiving.Com.
Matt was and will always be my inspiration for all I do! Matt’s journey changed my life for the better! We can thrive and survive through caregiving!
What events do you participate in?
I participate in other shows and podcasts throughout the U.S.
How does this also assist the caregivers?
My show helps caregivers by giving them resources, education and bringing attention and awareness to the community. I also try to give them encouragement to educate themselves, plan and prepare as well as enjoy their life.
How can someone get in touch?
Chatting with Betsy is on Spreaker, Spotify, I Heart and YouTube.
https://www.spreaker.com/show/chatting-with-betsy or https://passionateworldtalkradio.com/chatting-with-betsy_show/
#KickAlzheimersAssMovement Group on Facebook
https://m.facebook.com/groups/545809349256035/?ref=share&mibextid=SDPelY
Betsy E. Wurzel ‘s Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005271496390&mibextid=ZbWKwL