Alzheimer’s affects so many people these days that many senior living facilities have dedicated wings for sufferers of the disease.
On Thursday's Up to Date, Former U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore has seen his life changed by an early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis. We’ll talk with him and his wife, Stephene, about living with the disease. Alzheimer's expert Michelle Niedens will also weigh in on the topic.
Former U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, a lifelong Kansan, served six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Moore was born in Anthony, Kansas, in 1945. He was educated in Wichita public schools. In 1967, he graduated from the University of Kansas, and received his law degree from Washburn University School of Law in 1970. After service in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve, Moore started his legal career as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Kansas. He entered private legal practice in Johnson County in 1973. In 1976, Moore was elected District Attorney in Johnson County and was reelected twice, serving a total of 12 years. Moore was a member of the House Committees on the Budget and Financial Services. Stephene Moore has worked as a nurse, focusing on women's health, for more than 25 years. As a certified childbirth educator and labor and delivery nurse, she has assisted in the birthing education and delivery of over a thousand Kansas children. In 2001, Stephene also began to volunteer as a nurse internationally in third world countries, delivering basic care and wellness education to those most in need. Stephene currently works with Kansas College Students as a Project Coordinator for the University of Kansas' Internship Program. In addition to this work, Stephene remains involved with numerous community organizations including: Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault Advisory Board, Temporary Lodging For Children, Mother and Child Health Coalition, SafeHome, Kansas University School of Nursing Board of Governors, Medical Mission Foundation, American Nurses Association, Kansas State Nurses Association, American Cancer Society. Nationally she has worked to raise funds for the March of Dimes and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Michelle Niedens, LSCSW, is director of education, programs and public policy for the Heart of America Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. She has played an active role in the Kansas Bridge Project assisting with neuropsychiatric trainings, supervising the dementia crisis support workers and creating a visual guide for addressing neuropsychiatric challenges of dementia.
