The mission of the Alzheimer's Association is "to provide leadership to eliminate Alzheimer's through the advancement of research while enhancing care and support services for individuals and their families". As the only national voluntary health organization fighting Alzheimer's disease in all areas, the Association carries out its mission through research, education of the public, and information for health care, forming of chapters of a nationwide network and programs locally, advocacy, and patient and family services to aide Alzheimer's victims and caregivers.
The Alzheimer's Association began in 1989 through the cooperation of seven support groups whose mission was helping meet the needs of people coping with Alzheimer's, a disease about which little was known at the time. From those beginning s in one New York City office, by the end of 1982 the Association had grown to twenty chapters. In fifteen years it has grown to 200 chapters and over 2,500 local support groups, with these numbers continually increasing.
One of the very important services of the Alzheimer's Association is Safe Return. This service, as described on the Alzheimer's Association Web site (http://www.alz.org/ResourceCenter/Progra... provides the following: • Identification products for the memory-impaired person, including a bracelet, lapel pins, clothing labels, wallet cards and more. • A nationwide, 24-hour, toll-free 800 number to contact. • Registration of important contact information in a national database. • Caregiver information and educational materials about how to reduce wandering and what to do if a loved one becomes lost. • Connection to more than 200 Alzheimer's Association chapters across the country who provide information and support to families.
An important Alzheimer's Association event occurs September through November every year. Hosted by nearly 200 Association Chapters, the Memory Walk takes place in more than 400 communities nationwide each year. The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk funds vital programs and services such as help lines, support group, and educational events as well as supporting research into finding a cure for this disease.
There is so much to say about the Alzheimer's Association and its services that it can't be covered by one article. Thus my next article will be part two of "Someone to Stand by You" and it will focus on the Alzheimer's Association Web site at http://www.alz.org/ and some of the many services provided by it.
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