Alzheimer’s disease is a formidable, national epidemic. The non-profit Alzheimer’s Association, and its sister organization, Alzheimer’s Impact Moment (AIM), estimate that $259 billion is spent per year and that 5.5 million Americans are living with this disease. AIM seeks to advance public policies, research, and overall care and support required to best meet the growing needs of patients. The AIM initiative is a new one in the movement to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease. AIM is able to directly communicate with elected officials to help amplify the voices of those affected by the disease and impact legislation both at state and local levels. One of their victories is the creation of the concept of the Alzheimer’s Accountability Act (AAA), the goal of which is to help transform political discussions about research funding. To learn more about AIM and to get involved, visit www.alzimpact.org.
The Alzheimer’s Association continues their quest to improve community education and awareness through its annual initiative called the Walk to End Alzheimer’s (formerly known as the Memory Walk). The association bills this as the world’s largest event for consciousness-raising about Alzheimer’s. Fundraising dollars gathered from this event – held in roughly 600 communities nationwide – goes toward things like support groups, a 24/7 helpline, and scientific research. To learn more about the walk and how fundraising dollars are allocated, visit http://act.alz.org/site/PageServer?pagename=walk_about. You can find a walk event in your local community, register as a team captain, team member, or individual, and start raising funds and awareness. The Alzheimer’s Association is aware that walking is not a practical endeavor for everyone. Its website offers a wealth of free information and some alternate opportunities to help the cause.
At Weatherby & Associates, our life care plan program is designed to best assist the complex needs of Alzheimer’s patients and their team of family members and friends. Several of our clients are working to lead successful lives while being touched by Alzheimer’s disease. Its financial and emotional toll is one of the reasons why we walk. Visit our firm’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s page at http://act.alz.org/goto/weatherby. If you are local to Connecticut, consider walking with us at the Greater Hartford walk on October 1, 2017. If you would like to learn more about the missions of our firm, contact us at (860) 769-6938.