State Alzheimer’s Advisory Council
WJB Dorn employee Patricia McCloud was recently appointed to South Carolina’s Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Resource Coordination Center Advisory Council. An estimated 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. VA Photo: Kevin Lee McIver
A William Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center employee recently accepted Lt. Gov. Glenn F. McConnell’s appointment to serve on South Carolina’s Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Resource Coordination Center Advisory Council.
According to the invitation from Lt. Gov. McConnell to Patricia McCloud, Dorn VAMC’s associate nurse executive for geriatrics and extended care, the council provides an open environment where council members collaborate on issues associated with Alzheimer’s and related disorders.
“Your subject knowledge will be an asset to the Advisory Council, and I look forward to working together in the future to improve the lives of thousands of individuals, families, and caregivers across our state who struggle with this disease on a daily basis,” wrote McConnell in his June 5 letter.
South Carolina Secretary of State Mark Hammond also echoed his congratulations on McCloud’s appointment in a June 17 letter.
“This new position is both a challenge and an opportunity to serve your fellow citizens,” wrote Hammond. “I am confident you will meet these challenges and take advantage of the opportunities ahead.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia among older adults, effecting about 5.4 million Americans. It involves parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language seriously affecting a person’s ability to carry out daily activities. Although the cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not known, scientists are learning more every day.
“Being appointed to the council is not just an honor for me, but for all of us here at the Dorn VA Medical Center,” said McCloud. “I believe serving on the council will provide additional avenues to coordinate health care resources for our Veterans and families.”
Hailing from North Augusta, S.C., McCloud began her career in 1985 as a spinal cord injury nurse at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, N.Y. In 2002, she transferred to the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, Ga., and in 2007 she joined the ranks of the Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia, S.C.
McCloud’s education includes a M.S. in Nursing Education from the University of Phoenix and a M.S. in Health Service Administration from Central Michigan University. In 2009, she was awarded the South Carolina Palmetto Gold Award in recognition of excellence in nursing practice and commitment to the profession.
A member of the Cancer Support Committee at the First Nazareth Baptist Church, she resides in Columbia with her spouse Fred and their dog Sammy.
Caregiver support is an essential part of services for veterans with Alzheimer’s disease and the importance of the caregiver in the health care equation is not lost on McCloud.
“Caring for a patient with Alzheimer’s disease can utterly consume the lives of the caregiver, just as it consumes its victims,” said McCloud. “We must not forget the caregivers.”
Care for Veterans with Alzheimer's or dementia is provided throughout the full range of VA health care services. Depending on the Veteran's needs, services may include home based primary care, homemaker and home health aide, respite, adult day health care, outpatient clinic, inpatient hospital, nursing home, or hospice care.
For more information on Alzheimer’s and other health topics, please visit: www.va.gov.
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