Press Release

On Saturday, July 31, two associates of Brookdale Senior Living, an industry-leading owner and operator of senior living communities, joined Leeza Gibbons’ team in the Army of Change to climb Mount Washington, N.H. to help champion both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease.

Sara Terry, vice president of Optimum Life for Brookdale, and Carol Cummings, manager of Optimum Life wellness programs for Brookdale, hiked the highest peak in the Northeastern United States at 6,288 feet, Mount Washington. With them, they carried a flag with photos of 75 Brookdale caregivers.

"Climbing Mount Washington in honor of caregivers was one of the most inspirational moments of my life both personally and professionally," said Cummings." Every turn brought new challenges and accomplishments - mental, emotional and physical."

As the team neared the top, one climber became very fatigued. The team bonded together and helped lead her and followed her, telling her where to step, lending her their hands, making sure she ate, drank and rested and repeated encouraging phrases until they reached the top of the mountain together.

"It is only upon reflecting that I clearly see the incredible metaphors for life, especially for caregivers in the long journey of helping a loved one through the slow process of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and many other conditions. They start out strong, and are banded together with friends and family," said Cummings." But eventually the journey brings disbelief and difficulty. Inevitably, the journey brings fatigue, loss of strength and the absolute need to rely on others. It happens to anyone who is asked to walk this long road of care giving."

"I consider it an absolute privilege to be counted among those who are asked to help them, both as a professional devoted to caring for older adults and as a supporter of Leeza’s Place," said Cummings. "For now, as the strong one, I will offer my hand and my encouragement to them knowing that I have walked and will most likely again walk in their shoes. And in the end I will be able to witness and share in their victory-knowing they ran the race and kept the faith one step at a time."

"Since I lost my mom and my grandmother to Alzheimer’s disease, I have learned firsthand that when someone is diagnosed with a disease or chronic illness, the entire family becomes engaged in a tug of war between hope and helplessness," said Leeza Gibbons. "Our partners in supporting caregivers, Brookdale Senior Living’s Optimum Life, have contributed to making our team a reality and we feel blessed to have such amazing support. We were very impressed and inspired by the Brookdale team of climbers as well as all the associates who lent their strong support to the cause."

The Army of Change project began in 2005 by two advocates to help raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s research by scaling mountains. This team formed "10 Mountains – 10 Years (A Quest for the Cure)" and goes from Mont Blanc in 2006 to Mount Everest in 2015.

Leeza’s Place is the signature program of The Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation. It is a place for caregivers which offers free programs and supportive services to educate, empower, and energize caregivers impacted with chronic and progressive illness.

Brookdale’s flag featured several photos of caregivers from its communities nationwide. The company owns and operates independent living, assisted living and dementia care communities and continuing care retirement centers. In all, Brookdale operates 564 communities in 35 states with the ability to serve approximately 52,000 residents. The company has approximately 35,000 associates, a large majority in a caregiving role.

Brookdale Senior Living is also involved with The Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation through its Ultimate Chef America events nationwide this year. Proceeds of silent auctions during the events will go to The Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation. Thus far, nearly $30,000 has been raised.

For more reflections and information on the climb, visit http://leezasplace.org/blog

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