Alice Gunderson was a champion for families living Alzheimer’s or another dementia, the underserved, and the Japanese American community. A quiet powerhouse, Alice’s empathy, understanding, and patience was a source of comfort for many.

When I first met Alice, she was working with my colleague on a project to showcase Japanese American dementia caregivers. She was a member of our Asian American and Pacific Islander Dementia Care Network where she brought her professional and personal expertise. In her work at Rancho Los Amigos and the USC Neurology Department, she supported important Alzheimer’s research. She was also a caregiver to both her husband and mother. When Alice learned that I was also Japanese American and from the Central Valley, she asked me the familiar questions: which church did I go to? Who were my relatives? Did we know anyone in common? At first, I thought our generational gap would limit us, but of course we found a connection though family and the Japanese American community.

I quickly learned that Alice was a connector and someone who made things happen. I was in awe of her and her sisters who shared their caregiving journey. Dementia carries a lot of stigma in the Japanese American community, which can keep people from reaching out for help. Often, it’s in private conversations with trusted people in the community that you learn about resources. Alice was that trusted person.

She helped families connect to resources and navigate the healthcare system. I myself experienced the magic of Alice. When my mom was looking for a place to donate angel gowns, Alice connected us to a hospital in Los Angeles. When I had questions about participating in Alzheimer’s research, Alice found the answers. I later learned that she also helped my extended family access healthcare services.

I am forever grateful that my professional life allowed our paths to cross.

See Alice and her sisters share their caregiver story in our Faces of Caregiving series below: