Doreen Monks: A Neuroscience Nurse Got Early-Onset Alzheimer’s- Here’s How She’s Making a Difference

Former neuroscience nurse practitioner and Alzheimer’s advocate Doreen Monks joins Being Patient Live Talks to discuss her experience with diagnosis and her path toward advocacy.
As she shared in her previous live talk with us, Monk was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2016 at age 63, after which she became dedicated to sharing her story and working with organizations like Voices of Alzheimer’s, US Against Alzheimer’s, and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Leveraging her background in neuroscience, specifically focusing on stroke care, management, prevention, and treatment, she uses her voice to reduce stigma around Alzheimer’s and promote education about the disease.
Watch the full talk to learn more about her diagnosis and how she is using her medical background to educate others about Alzheimer’s disease.
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Being Patient is an editorially independent journalism outlet for news and reporting about brain health, cognitive science, and neurodegenerative diseases. In our Live Talk series on Facebook, former Wall Street Journal Editor and founder of Being Patient, Deborah Kan, interviews brain health experts and people living with dementia.
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[@sundaytidwell3567]

She’s amazing! I agree that she must have started with great cognitive reserve. I admire her attitude and tenacity while she is also realistic.

[@joanncoopertroupe3506]

God Bless you Doreen.i turned age 66 April 6th. My Step Dad almost 92 has Alzheimer's and Dementia. He lives with our brother in Mississippi.our Moms age 83 Mom lives with our sister Lori in Clarksville TN..Moms had a few Strokes. She does pretty well Dad and Mom broke up 8-9 years ago. Our Brother Bert took Dad in.Lori was with Our Mom.

[@svetlanathomas2341]

2 years into diagnosis she is doing remarkably well. My husband went from stage one at the time of being diagnosed to stage four just in 3 years. At the early age of 58 he is no longer independent or coherent.

[@chrispasson1940]

Doreen, you certainly do have a superior cognitive store. You have more oomph than many people in their thirties

[@SVarcie]

I’m glad she is doing so well but she certainly is not a great representation of the majority of people living with EOAD. My husband had a heart attack in 2015 and diagnosed in 2017 with EOAD. He died November 17, 2023. I also have a support group for spouses of over 500 people with EOAD and none of them seem to be doing as well as this patient. Most who were diagnosed around the same time as my husband are also dying.