NICEVILLE — Superior Residences of Niceville’s inaugural “Miles of Memories,” a 5K Run/Walk and 1-Mile Walk, is at 8 a.m. Nov. 9 at its memory care facility, 2300 N. Partin Drive. All proceeds remain in Okaloosa and Walton Counties to serve families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Early registration is $20 for the 5K run/walk or $10 for the 1-mile walk, with same-day registration going up to $25 and $15. Registration fees include an event T-shirt, goodie bag and a post-race celebration featuring food, drinks, music and awards. A special memory lap will allow Alzheimer’s patients and their loved ones to participate together in a meaningful way. There is no cost for the memory lap.

Participants and teams can sign up at the Niceville Miles of Memories website or pick up registration forms at Superior Residences and Covenant Hospice branch offices in Crestview (4100 S. Ferdon Blvd.) and Fort Walton Beach (220 Eglin Parkway NE).

Online registration closes at 8 a.m. Nov. 8. Advance race packet pickup will be from 4-6 p.m. Nov. 7 at Helen Back Again in Niceville or packets can be picked up beginning at 7 a.m. on race day.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Inaugural ‘Miles of Memories’ 5K benefits Alzheimer’s Family Services

FORT WALTON BEACH — More than 200 Okaloosa and Walton County residents joined the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s Oct. 12 at Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin. Participants raised more than $23,000 to fund Alzheimer's care, support and research programs.

Participants completed the 3-mile walk and learned more about Alzheimer’s disease and the association’s role in the fight against it, including the latest about Alzheimer’s research and current clinical trials, how they can become involved in advocacy efforts at home and in Washington, D.C., and the association’s support programs and services. 

The event also included an emotional tribute to those who have experienced or are experiencing Alzheimer’s.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Walk to End Alzheimer’s nets more than $23K

BAKER —  Crestview residents Patsy and Clifford Bean were just a few of the residents who attended the Shady Grove Helping Hands Community Fair on Thursday at Shady Grove Assembly of God Church.

"We were just so impressed with what we learned," Patsy Bean said.

While learning about Medicare’s open enrollment — Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, the one chance to change health and prescription drug coverage for many Medicare-eligible residents — she learned about her rehabilitation options.

"I had a knee injury and I am facing surgery," she said. "I didn't know that, with some of these home health places, you could do your rehab at home."

Clifford Bean received a free landline phone,specialized for the hearing impaired, from CIL Disability Resource Center.

Baker resident Jim Melton, 73, also left the event reassured after receiving a good score from a memory test.  

"I'm getting at that age where I need to know," he said. "I'm always interested in my health."

In addition to checking his blood pressure, Melton received information on hospice care for some elderly relatives.

"Someone told me it was really expensive, but a (vendor) in there told they would evaluate you at no cost," he said.

Connecting residents with necessary resources and information was the goal, said event organizer Paula Horton of Okaloosa Regional Home Health Services.

"There are resources out there; you just have to find them," she said.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Residents informed, ‘impressed’ during Baker health fair

Editor’s Note: This is the first installment of a series on north Okaloosa County residents with Down syndrome. The National Down Syndrome Society’s Buddy Walk is Oct. 26 in DeFuniak Springs.

CRESTVIEW — Benjamin Shea, at 13 months old, is pretty much like any other toddler.

"He laughs the same, he cries the same, he teethes the same,” Benji's mother, Stefanie Shea, said. “He has the same stubborn streak as his brother and sister."

But Benji, as his family calls him, has Down syndrome.

Stefanie and her husband, Chris, knew Benji was going to be special when prenatal screenings came back positive for the genetic disorder that affects development.

"We knew we were going to be blessed," Stefanie said.

While life is as routine in the Shea household as it was when Benji's 2-year-old brother, Logan, was his age, there are a few extra challenges, including physical therapy and other medical appointments, Stefanie said.

When Benji reaches 3 years old, he'll enter school at the same time as Logan, though he'll be in a special needs program. It will "help him stay in line with his intellectual and physical development," Stefanie said.

However, having a child with Down syndrome is no burden, Stefanie and Chris stress. Life remains a typical family's whirlwind of activity, including runny noses, trips to the zoo and shopping.

"We really plan to raise him with the same discipline and the same love," Stefanie said. "There will be the same consistency at home."

The Sheas are putting together a team for the National Down Syndrome Society’s Buddy Walk, which is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26  at Walton County High School in DeFuniak Springs.

 "We have our own team registered for the Buddy Walk," Stefanie said. "It's called Bennie and Jets. We are very excited."

Potential donors, supporters or new team members can call Stefanie Shea, 902-2313, for more information.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview mom: Life with Benjamin 'not that different than life with a typical child'

CRESTVIEW — Understanding health insurance options can be difficult — especially for residents who’ve never had coverage — but help is available for those who don’t know the difference between a premium and a pre-existing condition.

Barnes Insurance and Financial Services' Spencer Barnes and Drew Roberts, among others, are helping residents, at no charge, navigate the Health Insurance Marketplace website. Healthcare.gov is a result of the Affordable Care Act — commonly referred to as Obamacare — which President Barack Obama signed into law in 2010. Uninsured residents can visit the website and enroll for health insurance even with a pre-existing condition.

While Barnes and Roberts can’t solve widespread healthcare.gov glitches reported since the site’s launch, they have tried to separate fact from fiction.

For instance, numerous Americans have reported receiving calls from someone claiming to be from the federal government, saying they’re verifying personal information — including a bank account number — before an Affordable Care Act insurance card can be mailed, according to the Better Business Bureau. However, there are no Affordable Care Act insurance cards.

"There is a lot of conflicting information out there, so our goal is to educate people and let them know what is available to them," Roberts said.

Barnes and Roberts answered questions and advised residents on enrollment options Wednesday at the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce office.

Deb Winter, a retired widow, said she appreciates the information. Winter, who has been unable to find health coverage due to preexisting conditions for the past five years, said she was skeptical when she first learned about the Affordable Care Act.

"I was thinking (the government) was going to be able to charge you whatever they wanted to, but after being here (Wednesday), I am excited about it."

A licensed Healthcare Exchange certified agent will offer the same assistance from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 14 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Crestview Public Library. More dates will be added if necessary.

Local insurance agent Eric Riggenbach will offer information on Medicare and coverage options 10-11 a.m. and 2-3 p.m. Nov. 6 at the library. Space is limited; call 862-8082 to reserve a seat.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT:Health Insurance Marketplace information sessions

WHEN:10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Oct. 23

WHERE:Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce office, 1447 Commerce Drive

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Agents demystifying Health Insurance Marketplace for Crestview residents