For Years They Lived With Alzheimer’s. Then New Information Came to Light

On Tuesday, October 15th, at 10:30 a.m. PT/ 1:30 p.m. ET, Doreen Monks and LuPita Gutierrez-Parker join Being Patient Live Talks for a discussion on Alzheimer’s diagnosis and what it means when that diagnosis changes. Monks and Gutierrez-Parker each found out, through brain  scans, that they do not have amyloid plaque in their brains despite living with cognitive impairment — and a doctor’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease — for years. 

In this panel discussion, they’ll share their experiences learning about this change in diagnosis and how they’re navigating it now. 

Doreen Monks is former neuroscience nurse practitioner and Alzheimer’s advocate who joined us previously to discuss her experience with diagnosis and her path towards advocacy. Monks was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2016 at age 63, after which point she became dedicated to sharing her story and working with organizations like Voices of Alzheimer’s, US Against Alzheimer’s, and the Alzheimer’s Association. 

LuPita Gutierrez-Parker, who worked previously in academia as a recruiter, was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment at age 61, and with early-onset Alzheimer’s a year later. She shared her passion for advocating for education and outreach to diverse communities about Alzheimer’s disease in a previous Live Talk.

RSVP to join us for this discussion about navigating a misdiagnosis.