Navigating Life with Early-Stage Dementia
Introduction
Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. It encompasses a range of conditions characterized by cognitive impairment, including Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Each type has its own set of symptoms and progression patterns, but all share the common thread of diminishing cognitive function.
The Unseen Struggles of High-Functioning Individuals
Dementia is often associated with significant memory loss and cognitive decline that disrupt daily life. However, in its early stages, many individuals continue to function at a high level, maintaining their careers and personal responsibilities. Despite appearing to lead a normal life, these individuals face unique challenges that are frequently overlooked.
Types of Dementia
Challenges and Coping Strategies
Support Systems
About Team Alzie
Sharon Masciale - Chief Executive Officer
My name is sharon masciale. I was born and raised in Southern California in a large, loving, Italian family. I am grateful to be a wife, Mother and Meme, aka Grandmother. I am a serious Beachcomber and have enjoyed sharing my passions with my family and friends. I worked in the Design Industry for forty wonderful years. My career ended a few years after being diagnosed with Dementia.
Adjectives for sharon: Advocate, Explorer, and Optimist.
I’m an ALZIE was inspired by life and where it takes us…. Shared Stories of Real People that I have had the pleasure of learning from. It has energized me to work at my full potential; something that has been a mystery to me. I’m an ALZIE was a vision. A vision I shared with a remarkable woman and there it became a kitchen table business. I have been favored with a Team of Partners that are authentic, resourceful and the most encouraging professionals I have ever had the pleasure to work with.
Peggy Marchini - Chief Operating Officer
I come from a medical family. My mom and oldest sister are nurses and my other sister is a social worker. I continue to practice part time as a Dietitian/Certified Diabetes Educator. I first met Sharon as an interior designer in 2016 as we were her clients (my home looks amazing, by the way).
I was inspired by her energy and creativity. I actually started writing her quotes down. Like: “Every time I meet a new person, I become a better person”. Our friendship was organic. As time went on, our husbands connected and our business relationship became a friendship.
Five years ago, Sharon asked me to help with a virtual support group. I was the ally and she was the ALZIE. Since then, our vision and our mission continues to grow and flourish.
Chris Pavlovich - Chief Technology Officer
My name is Chris Pavlovich, and I am from Gig Harbor, Washington. I spent many spring breaks visiting family in Surprise, Arizona and have always loved it here. I graduated from Bellarmine Prep and found myself studying Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. While in college, I worked on campus at the CoSINE Help Desk, supporting faculty across several departments. This opened the door to a Technical Marketing and Engineering position at Intel's Hawthorn Farm campus, which eventually led me to start my own technology company here in Arizona.
Peggy and Sharon hired me to build the web site for I'm an Alzie, and we enjoyed working together so much that they offered me a position on their team. I have been working hard since to help build the non-profit, especially with technical and logistics decisions.
I have a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Oregon State, but my passion is for all types of computer and software engineering. Nothing makes me happier than using my experience to help people be successful with technology. My company offers tech services, such as custom web application design and development, managed I.T. for business, and residential support.
Krystal Love - Board Member
Krystal has been guiding individuals for over three decades. First, in the corporate world, leading operations for thousands of music and entertainment events spanning over 20 years throughout the country. And now, on a more personal private level, Krystal assists others to connect back with themselves through meditation, yoga and energy movement. Her passion lies in the deeper understanding of how we all come to be the way we are; depressed, inspired, sick, vibrant, full of dis-ease or completely at peace just to name a few. There is a reason we are the way we are and the answer always leads Krystal back to energy. Krystal has a unique way in harmonizing a person, their energy and a room full of many people with a LOT of chaotic energy. Krystal has come to this by way of simply being. Studying. Experiencing. Mentoring and being mentored. Krystal loves working with all people and specifically enjoys watching the transformation with Alzies and their Pilots and Co-pilots. She often says “when there is tension anywhere there is tension everywhere”, so working with not only those diagnosed but also all the people surrounding the Alzie. Connect with Krystal and you will come to your own understanding.
Contact: [email protected] Text or call: 602-316-8336
Certifications: Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Arizona State University. 200 hr YTT, Southwest Institute of Healing Arts. Energy Medicine Yoga™ Advanced Practitioner. Over 100 workshops, retreats, trainings and intensives.
