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[10.00] From Senate to Service: Chuck Fuschillo’s Mission

• Chuck Fuschillo shares his journey from New York State Senator to CEO of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), highlighting 12 years of passionate service.
• The founding of AFA by Bert Brodsky stemmed from a personal, emotional journey caring for his mother with Alzheimer’s.
• AFA began as a mission to make sure no one goes through Alzheimer’s alone—and has grown into a nationwide organization.
• Chuck emphasizes the deep emotional toll Alzheimer’s has not just on individuals, but on entire families and communities.
• The vision for AFA was rooted in big-picture thinking and American values of service and impact.
• Barry Shore lauds AFA as a shining example of the “mad” life: making a difference.
• Chuck describes AFA’s core mission as built on care, education, and research—all intertwined to support those affected.

[18.00] Building a Helpline with Heart

• Chuck explains the evolution of the AFA helpline, which now runs 7 days a week, 12 hours a day, staffed entirely by licensed dementia-trained social workers.
• The helpline begins with empathy, not data collection—”Let’s get into it” is the first priority.
• Chuck introduces Allison, AFA’s AI-powered virtual assistant available 24/7 for real-time answers and support.
• Barry emphasizes how language matters: transforming a “hotline” into a “helpline” reflects a deeper shift toward care.
• The helpline supports people in over 90 languages, with a strong emphasis on human connection.
• Chuck stresses that picking up the phone is often the hardest but most vital first step on this journey.
• The goal is to create a safe, responsive, and trustworthy space for those seeking help.

[26.00] Alzheimer’s vs. Dementia: Demystifying the Diagnosis

• Chuck breaks down the confusion between dementia and Alzheimer’s, clarifying that Alzheimer’s is a disease, while dementia is a broader syndrome of symptoms.
• He lists clear early signs: memory loss, confusion, personality changes, language difficulty, and more.
• Chuck emphasizes that early diagnosis is essential—some symptoms might stem from treatable conditions like sleep apnea or vitamin deficiency.
• AFA’s mission includes funding research to slow disease progression and, ultimately, find a cure.
• A touching story of Katie, a 29-year-old care partner, showcases how Alzheimer’s affects young families too.
• Barry and Chuck explore how staying mentally and socially active can build brain resilience.
• Chuck shares inspiring stories, including his vibrant 93-year-old mother-in-law who proves that engagement is medicine.

[34.00] The Power of Memory Screening

• AFA encourages annual memory screenings as a proactive tool—a “checkup from the neck up.”
• Over 5 million people have been screened through AFA’s in-person, virtual, and online services.
• Screenings are simple, safe, non-invasive, and take only 10–15 minutes.
• Chuck introduces AFA’s “Educating Across America” Tour, bringing free memory screenings and caregiver conferences to cities across the U.S.
• Programs include not just medical experts, but elder law attorneys, researchers, and care partners.
• Chuck uses humor and warmth to reduce fear, encouraging people to “know your baseline.”
• COVID spurred AFA to digitize programming, reaching over a million views by keeping people active and connected.

[42.00] 10 Steps for Healthy Aging & National Reach

• Chuck shares AFA’s “10 Steps for Healthy Aging,” including staying active, eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and staying socially engaged.
• Highlights include: challenge your brain daily, mind your medications, and get memory screenings.
• AFA publishes a free quarterly magazine, “Alzheimer’s Today,” read by over 250,000 people.
• With over 2,000 member offices across the U.S., AFA offers support and resources nationwide.
• Chuck lists AFA’s upcoming national tour cities, including Houston, Las Vegas, Wichita, and more.
• Barry introduces his acronym for Chuck: “Channeling Health, Unleashing Creative Kindness.”
• The conversation ends with a powerful reminder: education is empowerment, and help is here for those who ask.

Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. has made serving, helping, and empowering others a focus of his professional and personal life.

Fuschillo has served as President & Chief Executive Officer of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) since 2014. Under his leadership, AFA has seen tremendous growth in its programs, services, membership, revenue, and presence across the nation, while regularly earning Charity Navigator’s highest rating of four stars in recognition of its commitment to fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability.