Alzheimer’s Disease Is Devastating. It May Help To Remember That You’re Not Alone.

Beth Battaglino, RN-C, CEO of HealthyWomen

Beth brings a unique combination of sharp business expertise and women's health insight to her leadership of the organization. Beth has worked in the health care industry for more than 25 years helping to define and drive public education programs on a broad range of women's health issues. She launched and has expanded the HealthyWomen.org brand. As a result of her leadership, HealthyWomen was recognized as one of the top 100 women's health web sites by Forbes for three consecutive years, and was recognized by Oprah magazine as one of the top women's health web sites. HealthyWomen now connects to millions of women across the country through its wide program distribution and innovative use of technology.

Beth is responsible for the business development and strategic positioning of HealthyWomen. She creates partnerships with key health care professionals and consumer groups to provide strategic, engaging and informative award-winning programs. She serves as the organization's chief spokesperson, regularly participating in corporate, non-profit, community and media events. She also is a practicing nurse in maternal child health at Riverview Medical Center- Hackensack Meridian Health, in Red Bank, NJ.

In addition to her nursing degree, Beth holds degrees in political science, business and public administration from Marymount University.

To stay sane, she loves to run and compete in road races. She enjoys skiing and sailing with her husband and young son, and welcoming new babies into the world.

Full Bio

Just the other day, I received a late-night call from a girlfriend who's caring for her mother who has Alzheimer's disease. She shared the heart-wrenching news that her mom no longer recognizes her.

It's no secret that an Alzheimer's diagnosis is life-altering: Alzheimer's disease, a type of dementia, is a progressive neurologic disorder that causes the brain to atrophy and brain cells to die. But the statistics are shocking. Today, an estimated 5.8 million Americans 65 and older have Alzheimer's, and that number is expected to rise to 13.8 million by 2050.

It also bears noting that two-thirds of Alzheimer's cases in the United States are women, and women, like my friend, take on the majority of the responsibility of caring for family members with the disease. As caregiver Loretta Woodward Veney explains in her moving story, "Every day is different with Alzheimer's. You just don't know how it's going to play out. You can learn and prepare for any possible outcome, but there's no one-size-fits-all treatment plan."

That's why I'm so proud to launch our new educational content on Alzheimer's disease. We will help you understand your risk factors, learn ways to maintain a healthy brain, and cover what you need to know about early onset Alzheimer's disease.

HealthyWomen's Women's Health Advisory Council member Dr. Sharon Allison-Ottey shares the questions you should ask your healthcare provider if you think you're developing dementia or notice signs in a loved one. We also offer easy-to-understand advice on what to do after you or a family member receives a diagnosis. And award-winning journalist Shannon Shelton Miller looks at the personal and financial toll Alzheimer's takes on women of color.

Through this program, we hope to educate and empower our readers and — as always — remind you that you're not alone.

This resource was created with support from Biogen.

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