Special to The Desert Sun

When Alzheimers Coachella Valley was in its infancy, Edwina Dirk, a 50-year career nurse, was asked to create a program to educate caregivers about the specialized art of caring for someone with dementia. Dirk wrote more than 36 lessons and got them state approved for continuing education credits. At age 75 she enrolled at Aspen University, where she devoted her evenings to studying and pushing herself semester by semester. On her 78th birthday in 2022 she fulfilled a lifetime dream by adding the letters "BSN" to her credentials. She still serves as a volunteer instructor every month.

She tells students: "If I can accomplish this, so can you."

At the ACV open house and fundraiser, held Oct. 29, it was of the honor and privilege of Dominick A. Calvano and Pat Ka

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