Kris Bakowski

I have Alzheimer's, and I still drive. I told my husband when I was diagnosed that if I encountered problems driving, I would tell him. Did I do that? Maybe...

Struggling seems to be my new favorite word. When you have Alzheimer's, people ask, "How are you doing?" How do you respond? Do they really want to know, or are...

When you live with Alzheimer's, you and your family always ask questions. Like, did I take my pills today? Did I eat breakfast? What can I do to help? I...

Kris Bakowski was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease at 46 years old. Since her diagnosis, she has been an active advocate for those living with the disease. Kris has written...

Doesn't everyone enjoy getting old fashion snail mail? A real handwritten letter? I know I do. I have always been a letter writer. When we were in elementary school, we...

As a person living with Alzheimer's disease, I don't watch television much. I have a hard time following the story and remembering things from week to week. But, there are a few...

This is a phrase our family often uses over the holidays. Our grandchildren are young - ages 2 and 5. Our son and daughter-in-law have wondered when the right time...

Letting go has a lot of different meanings. Since my Alzheimer's diagnosis, I have had to learn to let go of many things I can no longer do. Try as...

You read a lot in the media these days about mental health. Athletes are taking time away from their game to focus on their mental health. Business people are taking...

This question is so different from "How are you?" When people come up to me and ask "How are you doing?" I think they really want to know versus when...

It is a lot harder to make decisions now. With an Alzheimer's diagnosis, I find that I am always questioning my judgment. Lines become blurred, brain fog sets in, and...

As fall rolls around you will be seeing more ads and media content about the Walk To End Alzheimer's, commonly referred to as just the Walk, sponsored by the Alzheimer's...

Noise is such an issue for me. As a person with Alzheimer's I find I have a very difficult time filtering noise. I carry earplugs with me all the time...

Having a bad day with Alzheimer's isn't the end of the world, but it can certainly feel that way. It seems if I start out having things go wrong in the...

I always used to have a "mental" bucket list which meant that I never wrote it down. A friend once told me that if you couldn't see it, you couldn't...

Traveling with a loved one with Alzheimer's can be frustrating for everyone. Planning is key in helping to make trips tolerable. Pack your patience. Keep in mind that you are...

I tell my friends that I celebrate what I can do and mourn the things I can no longer do living with Alzheimer's. But I fight like crazy not to...

When I was diagnosed with Alzheimer's I was the director of a two-thousand-seat performing arts center. That job entailed a lot of hours and carried a lot of stress with it...

Getting an Alzheimer's diagnosis isn't easy no matter what your age, but especially when you are under the age of 65. I knew something was wrong, but I didn't align my...

When getting first diagnosed, it is hard to know how and when to share an Alzheimer's diagnosis with others. It is a personal decision and you should feel comfortable about...