About Me
ABOUT A NEW PATH FOR MOM
My name is Virginia Naeve. I grew up in a very happy home with my parents, Helen and Bob Simpson, and two younger brothers, Bob and Jim. I have been married to Bob, my loving and supportive husband, for 35 years. We have two grown children, Andrew and Allison, and we live in southern California.
Fifteen years ago, I knew almost nothing about Alzheimer’s disease. I knew it involved losing one’s memory but that was about it. I didn’t know that I was about to join the millions of people who have had to do their best to figure out how to manage this disease and care for someone who has it.
I have a lot to share about what I have learned and experienced and I plan to do that in this website and my blogs. Perhaps some of the stories that I share will help someone who is also going through this process.
There are different forms of dementia. Dementia is a symptom. Alzheimer’s is a cause. If there is such a thing, Mom had classic Alzheimer’s disease. My entire family including my brothers and their family members, learned a lot more than we ever thought we would about this disease. We lost our dear Mom on June 18, 2013.
(For about the last eleven years, I have been regularly attending events and seminars at the University of Southern California, the University of California Irvine, and the Alzheimer’s Association to hear about current research being done to either prevent or cure this disease. UCI has a wonderful institute called UCI MIND (Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders) which is internationally known for its research accomplishments, clinic and community education and I am happy to be a member and supporter of UCI MIND. (www.mind.uci.edu).
My hope is that someday I will be able to add a wonderful page to my website to announce the discovery of a prevention or a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
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SEMINARS/LECTURES ATTENDED:
“The Many Faces of Dementia: Where Do We Go From Here?” conference held by the USC Alzheimer Disease Research Center and USC Memory and Aging Center, together with Alzheimer’s Greater Los Angeles. The USC Radisson Hotel, February 12, 2016.
“Something’s Not Right With Alice,” a conversation with Lisa Genova (neuroscientist and author of Still Alice), USC professor and brain researcher Arthur Toga, and moderated by NPR correspondent Ina Jaffe. Held at USC Bovard Auditorium, February 4, 2016.
Alzheimer’s Orange County, Winter Training 2016-Enhancing Dementia Care; Other Dementias: Frontotemporal (FTD), Lewy Body & Vascular Dementias. Held at Alzheimer’s Orange County, Irvine, CA January 20, 2016.
26th Annual Southern California Alzheimer’s Disease Research Conference, “Healthy Brain Aging-Considering the Possibilities,” hosted by UCI MIND, the UCI School of Medicine, in partnership with The Alzheimer’s Association, held at the Irvine Marriott Hotel, Irvine, California, October 2, 2015.
“Keeping Your Brain Stronger for Longer,” lecture and book signing by Tonia Vojtkofsky, PsyD., July 9, 2015, Fairhaven, Mission Viejo, CA. Her book features 201 Brain Exercises for People with Mild Cognitive Impairment. Congratulations my friend on the publishing of your new book!
UCI MIND (Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders) ASK THE DOC seminar on healthy brain aging, dementia diagnosis, treatment strategies and caregiving resources, panel moderated by Dr. Joshua Grill, Director of UCI MIND, with Dr. Szofia Bullain, Dr. Michael Yassa, and Dr. Tonia Vojtkofsky, June 18, 2015.
Alzheimer’s Association Visionary Women Caregivers Luncheon, guest speaker actress and author Florence Henderson, Rancho Las Lomas, Silverado, CA., May 15, 2015.
“This Is Your Brain On Music,” presented by Dr. Daniel J. Levitin, best selling author and Professor of Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychology at McGill University, NBPL Foundation, March 20, 2015.
I was given the opportunity to be a guest panelist for an Aging & Dementia class, taught by Dr. Maria Claver at California State University Long Beach, March 19, 2015.
“Actions Speak Louder Than Words,” Alzheimer’s Association Winter Training-Enhancing Dementia Care, February 20, 2015.
“Predictors of Cognitive Decline and Dementia in Older Adults,” presented by Dr. Kristine Yaffe, M.D., Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Neurology and Epidemiology at UCSF, December 11, 2014.
“Longevity: Tales from the Oldest Old,” presented by Dr. Claudia Kawas, M.D., Professor of Neurobiology & Behavior and Neurology, UCI. October 30, 2014.
25th Annual Southern California Alzheimer’s Disease Research Conference, “The Future of Alzheimer’s Disease Research,” hosted by UCI MIND, the UCI School of Medicine, in partnership with The Alzheimer’s Association, held at the Hilton Hotel, Costa Mesa, CA., September 12, 2014.
“Eat Smart, Stay Sharp,” panel of experts including neurologist Dr. Marwan Sabbagh, Director of Banner-Sun Health Research Institute, organized by Beating Alzheimer’s by Embracing Science (B.A.B.E.S.) in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the UCSD Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, San Diego, CA., August 21, 2014.
“Strategies for Successful Brain Aging: Your Brain on Caffeine and other Research News,” by Michael A. Yassa, PH.D., Assistant Professor, Neurobiology and Behavior, UCI, July 30, 2014.
“Alzheimer’s Disease Process, Research & Prevention,” by Tonia Vojtkofsky, Psy.D, Founder and President of Cognitive Care Solutions, Inc., June 26, 2014.
UC Irvine Distinguished Lecture Series on Brain, Learning and Memory, “Epigenetics: The Making and Unmaking of Powerful Memories,” by Dr. Marcelo Wood, Chair, UCI Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Biological Sciences, May 13, 2014.
UC Irvine Distinguished Lecture Series on Brain, Learning and Memory, “Zooming in on Alzheimer’s Disease and Normal Memory Decline,” guest speaker Dr. Scott A. Small, M.D. Professor of Neurology and Director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Columbia University Medical Center, NY. February 25, 2014.
The Alzheimer’s Association Winter Training 2014, “Enhancing Dementia Care: Inspired Care at End of Life,” Irvine, CA., February 21, 2014.
“Reducing your Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease: Lifestyle Changes and More,” UCI MIND Family Education Series, November, 2013.
24th Annual Southern California Alzheimer’s Disease Research Conference, “Countdown to 2025: Progress on Ending Alzheimer’s Disease,” hosted by UCI MIND and the UCI School of Medicine , together with The Alzheimer’s Association, held at the Westin Hotel in Costa Mesa, CA., September 20, 2013.
“Alzheimer’s Disease: Behavior Management and Communication Strategies” including the limitations of psychotropic medications for the management of challenging behaviors, UCI MIND Family Education Series, September, 2012 & 2013.
“Advances in Dementia Treatment: Current and Future Medications,” UCI MIND Family Education Series, Dr. Malcolm Dick and Dr. Cordula Dick-Muehlke , June, 2012, 2013.
“Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias: What does the Diagnosis Mean?” Dr. Malcolm Dick and Dr. Cordula Dick-Muehlke, UCI MIND Family Education Series, March 2012, 2013.
Conference, “The Many Faces of Dementia: New Diagnostic Guidelines and their Implications for Care,” hosted by the USC Alzheimer Disease Research Center and Keck School of Medicine, together with The Alzheimer’s Association, held at the Davidson Conference Center, USC, March 15, 2013.
“Brain Wellness: Saving our Brains from Arteriosclerosis,” by Dr. Helena Chui, Chair, USC Department of Neurology, February 19, 2013.
“Progress in Stem Cell Therapeutics for Alzheimer’s Disease.” Dr. Frank LaFerla, Chair, UCI Department of Neurobiology and Behavior and Director of UCI MIND (Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders) October 19, 2012.
“Reducing your Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease: Lifestyle Changes and More,” UCI MIND Family Education Series, Dr. Malcolm Dick and Dr. Cordula Dick-Muehlke December, 2009.