Life in Baltimore: Aging advisory board hosts seminar on memory loss

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— In connection with Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, the Memory and Aging Community Advisory Board (MACAB) held its 10th Annual Holistic Health Seminar on Memory Loss at the Randallstown Community Center. The theme, “Healthy Living in 2016 and Beyond: Mind, Body and Spirit,” was captured in the well designed agenda which included informative speakers, exhibitors and spirited audience participation.

The speakers were Marilyn Albert, Ph.D.from the Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Department Research Center, Dr. Ann Morrison, Katherine Marx, Ph.D., and Tyrone Qualls, a lifestyle coach with the American Diabetes Association Ambassador.

To actively involve the audience, an uplifting spirited performance with drums and song was led by Dorothy Holley, Ph.D., LCSW-C and the Nyami Nti Cultural Healing Arts Therapy.

Ernestine Shepard, the world’s oldest female body builder, who was celebrating her 80th birthday, spoke on her life’s mantra, “Determination, Dedication and Discipline.” She received the 2016 Trail Blazer Award.

Sylvia Mackay, Alzheimer’s advocate and former caregiver for her husband John Mackay, gave a heartwarming talk on caregivers and received the 2016 Outreach Leadership Award.

MACAB is a group of dedicated people whose overall concern is the physical, mental and social well-being of the senior community of Greater Baltimore. The MACAB was formed in 2004 and is comprised of community leaders, health professionals and families who have been touched by dementia. This group works with the Johns Hopkins Memory Center and various groups to help increase community access to healthcare, knowledge and research opportunities related to Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss and senior health.

The conference exhibitors were the Alzheimer’s Association, American Diabetes Association; Ayana Wellness Spa and Education Resource; Baltimore County Department of Aging; Baltimore City Health Department of Aging and Care Services; Comforcare Home Services; COPD Project; Dementia Behavioral Study; Easter Seals; Johns Hopkins ADRC; Maryland Society for Sight; and United Medical Care.

Officers and committee members of MACAB are Tyrone Qualls, chairman; Henrietta Wallace, co-chair; Ernestine Jones Jolivet, board development chairperson; Valerie Richardson, community education chairperson; Corinne Pettigrew, research chairperson; and Octavia Byrd, secretary. The committee also includes Thomasine Baskerville, Peggy Jackson, Shelley Jennings, Deborah Peaks Coleman, Marcia Gray Bowie and the Johns Hopkins Research Center.