Brewery to benefit Alzheimer’s Association
“It’s very, very difficult to watch a loved one deteriorate.” Dianne Littlefield
NEW MILFORD — When Dianne Littlefield’s late father John Stripp was diagnosed with Parkinson's dementia, her family’s life turned upside down.
“He would get lost within the house. He would be screaming for my mother, who was in the next room,” she said. “He had taken two falls and me and my husband would drive to my parent’s home in Weston to help him off the floor,” said Littlefield, a New Milford resident, about her father, a Vietnam War veteran, former selectman and state representative for the 135th District in Bridgeport for 18 years.
Stripp’s Alzheimer’s eventually progressed to a point when it became clear her family couldn’t handle it on their own. Through the New Milford Senior Center, Littlefield learned about the Alzheimer’s Association, reached out to them — and got help, for which she said she’s very grateful.
She now wants to give back, and is doing so through a fundraising event at her business — Housatonic River Brewing on 30 Kent Road in New Milford.
She and her husband Dave are bottling a new beer with a special label. Proceeds of the beer, a limited edition Remedy Imperial Forget Me Not Beer, will benefit the Alzheimer's Association’s Connecticut Chapter.
The beer will be debuting at Housatonic River Brewing from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 3 during a Western Walk to End Alzheimer's team recruitment event. At the event, people can learn about the walk and about the Alzheimer’s Association.
Western Walk to End Alzheimer's
This year, the Western Walk to End Alzheimer's will be on the New Milford Green on Sept. 24. To register or for more information, visit alz.org/walk.
Kristen Cusato, director of communications for the Alzheimer's Association’s CT Chapter, said the walk is the association’s largest fundraising event of the year.
“The money raised at the walks helps us provide free services for caregivers, for those with the disease, and for those interested in brain health,” Cusato said.
The Alzheimer’s Association of Connecticut has held walks for 30 years. There are six walks planned for the fall. The two - to- three- mile walks are held rain or shine. Last year, the seven Walks to End Alzheimer's raised more than $1 million for care, support and research.
“It goes toward research to learn how to reduce the risk of getting the disease and toward understanding the different types of dementia,” Cusato said.
Alzheimer’s is the most common of the diseases that cause dementia. Sixty to 80 percent of those diagnosed with dementia are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Other types of dementia include vascular, Lewy Body and Parkinson’s.
Cusato’s mother had Lewy Body dementia, which can cause changes in alertness and attention, hallucinations, and confusion.
There are 80,000 people in Connecticut living with Alzheimer’s and there are twice as many caregivers, Cusato said.
Friday is U.S. National Caregivers Day. The day honors those who selflessly provide personal care, and physical and emotional support to those who need it most.
“Many of the caregivers are unpaid family members. Caregiving is incredibly taxing — not only financially, but also physically and emotionally. It is very hard to watch your loved one go away, bit by bit,” Cusato said.
Littlefield’s father, a Weston resident, died in 2020 at the age of 82. Littlefield said by holding the fundraiser, she’s honoring his memory.
“It’s very, very difficult to watch a loved one deteriorate,” she said. “My brother and I were losing our dad and my kids were losing their beloved ‘Poppy,’ but my mom lost her husband, which is a completely different dynamic,” she said. “Information provides power and allows for a game plan. The Alzheimer’s Association was a very valuable resource for me so I just want to be able to give back to them, for all the help they gave me and my family.”
The 24-7 Alzheimer's Association helpline is
1-800-272-3900.