Second Alzheimer’s Symposium
Sat, Sep 19, 1–7pm
Cielito Lindo
Rancho Los Labradores
Road to Dolores
50-peso donation for ALMA,
San Miguel’s home for the elderly 

Alzheimer’s symposium in Rancho Los Labradores
By Jesús Ibarra

Assisted Living Cielito Lindo

Rancho Los Labradores and Cielito Lindo, the first assisted living facility in Mexico, host the Second Alzheimer’s Symposium on Saturday 19.

According to Dr. José Francisco Suárez, medical director of Cielito Lindo, the main purpose of this symposium is to spread information about Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions of cognitive degeneration. International Alzheimer’s Day is celebrated between September 18 and 20 in different parts of the world. 

Dr. Suárez said that Alzheimer’s is actually a new disease, first noted only 40 years ago. “From a medical point of view, any disease that has been around less than half a century is considered a new disease,” he said. “It is also an epidemic disease; as the average life expectancy increases, there are more elderly people prone to Alzheimer’s.”

Dr. Suárez explained that Alzheimer’s is more frequent in Caucasian people, in people who have relatives who have suffered from the disease, and in people over 55. “Those who keep both hemispheres of their brains active—through analytical activities, intellectual games and reading, for instance—have less chance of getting Alzheimer’s,” he said. He noted that Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease whose first symptom is loss of short-term, but not long-term, memory. “Then, the Alzheimer’s patient will forget how to use things like utensils, or how to drink from a cup. Then, he or she will not recognize his or her relatives, which is devastating for their families. The Alzheimer’s patient finally forgets how to use his or her own body, forgetting how to move his or her legs or hands, or even how to swallow or how to breathe. Although the patient’s lungs are in good condition, he or she may suffocate because he or she has forgotten how to breathe.”

Dr. Suárez said that the effects of Alzheimer’s disease can be mitigated with early treatment, although the condition cannot be cured. “Some studies performed in United States and the Netherlands have found that certain medications have slowed the advance of Alzheimer’s and allowed patients a better quality of life,” said the doctor. 

Eric Cházaro, general director of Rancho Los Labradores and Cielito Lindo, said that Los Labradores decided to become involved in assisted living about a year ago since according to statistics every 51 seconds someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in the United States. He said that although in Mexico there are no recorded statistics there are a lot of Alzheimer’s patients here, too. “This is the second Alzheimer’s symposium we have organized. We want to educate people about this disease. It is a service for the community; we are charging a registration fee, which will be donated to ALMA, San Miguel’s home for the elderly. 

The event features three lectures: “The Principles of Demential Syndromes” by Dr. Silvia Patricia González of the National Neurology and Neurosurgery Institute, Update on Alzheimer Disease” by Dr. Pablo León of the Department of Neuropsychiatry and “The Care-givers’ Burden” by Dr. Suárez. 

The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) has commended Dr. Suárez for his excellent social service in the municipality of Colón, Querétaro. The doctor has studied in Valencia, Spain; has a master’s degree from UNAM; and was director of the Research Department of the Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI in Mexico City. He has authored two medical books and has collaborated on others as well as articles in national and international magazines and newspapers. He has also appeared on radio and TV programs. 

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Mujeres en Cambio Luncheon
Thu, Sep 24, 2pm
Hacienda de las Flores
Hospicio 16
150 pesos

Education helps build a better world
By Joan Strouse

Many San Miguel residents and visitors alike want to know more Mujeres en Cambio (Women in Change). It’s an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that, for the past 14 years, has helped young women from the rural areas surrounding San Miguel stay in school by providing modest educational scholarships to the academically promising.

The organization currently supports 150 students—high school scholarships are US$275, and college students receive $1000 annually. Fundraisers and donations generate $75,000 per year, with nearly zero administrative costs.

When people hear about Mujeres en Cambio, they often ask why we only give educational scholarships to young, rural Mexican women. Worldwide studies point to the education of young women as the most significant factor in improving the health, economy and general well-being of communities. We believe education is not a luxury, but a basic human right.

The World Bank notes, “There is no investment more effective for achieving development goals than educating girls.”

The Economist magazine was blunt, “Forget China, India and the internet: economic growth is driven by women.”

UNICEF Executive Director Ann Veneman said, “The lives of women are inextricably linked to the well-being of children. If they are not educated, if they are not healthy, if they are not empowered, the children are the ones who suffer.”

Around the world, 66 million girls are denied a basic right to education and 576 million women are illiterate. Mujeres en Cambio is doing something about that alarming statistic and hopes you will want to help, too.

Locally, Beto, the head teacher in a rural telesecundaria (school using a distance education program via satellite) near San Miguel, talks about education this way, “If I can find a way to educate 100 girls and each of these children go on to influence the lives and educate 10 other poor children, we will have 1,000 possible teachers and leaders who will remember their background and do the same. Within 30 years, we could have 10,000 educated people working to improve our country and build a better world.”

Mujeres en Cambio fully endorses Beto’s sentiments and so do young students.

Flor, a scholarship recipient since 2003, is now in her third year of architecture studies at the University of León. Flor says studying in a university is something she could never have done without assistance from Mujeres en Cambio for the last six years. “I feel really supported by all the people who have helped me follow my dreams of becoming an architect; I have wanted to design houses since I was little.”

Adriana, 13, one of the youngest and newest students, is studying in a rural telesecundaria and explains that her mother told her last year she would have to drop out of school and help with the family. “That made me really sad,” Adriana said. “Then I learned I got a scholarship from Mujeres en Cambio so my mother let me stay in school and study. Now I am happy and proud to wear my new school uniform. I really like history and math.”

You can help make a difference by donating to Mujeres en Cambio and sharing these ideas with others. Learn more about Mujeres en Cambio at the September luncheon.

Culinary maverick Noren Caceres from Burrito Bistro, that treasure on Correo, will be the guest chef. She will prepare an assortment of international chicken, beef, or vegetarian wraps beautiful to behold and sublime to experience. Salads, side dishes and desserts prepared by volunteers round out the meal.

Purchase your ticket in advance from Border Crossings, Mesones 57A. Visit www.mujeresencambio.org for additional information or contact Joan at 152-2820. No phone reservations can be taken. 

Upcoming Mujeres en Cambio events include a Day of the Dead Afternoon Tea at the Instituto Allende on October 29. The group also will host luncheons at Hacienda de las Flores on November 19 and December 17.