He served 12 years as a district attorney and 12 years as a member of Congress. Now, former U.S. Representative Dennis Moore is focusing his energies on another battle close to home: Alzheimer’s.
Earlier this month, Moore announced he is one of the more than 5 million Americans who are living with the disease. Wednesday on Up to Date, the former Congressman and his wife Stephene Moore talk with us about the signs, his diagnosis and what it means for them.
Today Dennis and Stephene Moore and Michelle Niedens, director of programs and public policy for the Alzheimer's Association, Heart of America chapter talk about the disease, resources for those who suffer, and their efforts to bring more attention to diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s.
Former U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, a lifelong Kansan, served six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Moore was born in Anthony, Kansas, in 1945. He was educated in Wichita public schools. In 1967, he graduated from the University of Kansas, and received his law degree from Washburn University School of Law in 1970. After service in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve, Moore started his legal career as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Kansas. He entered private legal practice in Johnson County in 1973. In 1976, Moore was elected District Attorney in Johnson County and was reelected twice, serving a total of 12 years. Moore was a member of the House Committees on the Budget and Financial Services. Stephene Moore has worked as a nurse, focusing on women's health, for more than 25 years. As a certified childbirth educator and labor and delivery nurse, she has assisted in the birthing education and delivery of over a thousand Kansas children. In 2001, Stephene also began to volunteer as a nurse internationally in third world countries, delivering basic care and wellness education to those most in need. Stephene currently works with Kansas College Students as a Project Coordinator for the University of Kansas' Internship Program. In addition to this work, Stephene remains involved with numerous community organizations including: Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault Advisory Board, Temporary Lodging For Children, Mother and Child Health Coalition, SafeHome, Kansas University School of Nursing Board of Governors, Medical Mission Foundation, American Nurses Association, Kansas State Nurses Association, American Cancer Society. Nationally she has worked to raise funds for the March of Dimes and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Michelle Niedens, LSCSW, is director of education, programs and public policy for the Heart of America Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. She has played an active role in the Kansas Bridge Project assisting with neuropsychiatric trainings, supervising the dementia crisis support workers and creating a visual guide for addressing neuropsychiatric challenges of dementia.
