Author Todd Shimkus shares advice, resources for Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month

Schenectady — June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month. Right now more than 400,000 New Yorkers live with Alzheimer’s, nearly 7 million Americans in total.

In May, the US Senate advances legislation which would strengthen the dementia public health infrastructure, helping reinforce resources like the Alzheimer’s Association.

Todd Shimkus, as you may know, is the President of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, but also wrote a book, it’s called “I’m Not Ready For This.” It takes readers through his time caring for his mother while she had Alzheimer’s, and what that was like in the midst of the pandemic.

“I think a lot of people, when they hear about Alzheimer’s, the question I always got was, ‘Does your mom still remember you?’ I believe to her very last day, my mom knew who I was because of what I learned from the Alzheimer’s Association and the folks that cared for her at the Wesley in her last two years.”

Since launching his book in 2023, Shimkus has raised more than $5,000 for the Alzheimer’s research and support for caregivers, as 100 percent of the proceeds from his book sales goes to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Click here for more Alzheimer’s resources, you can also call their 24-hour helpline 1-800-272-3900.