What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia which involves memory loss and changes in behavior and thinking. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease meaning it starts slowly at first before increasing in severity, disrupting everyday activities. While many people over the age of 65 are diagnosed with this disease, Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging. There is no cure or prevention making it the sixth-leading cause of death in America. Just last year, 16 million caregivers for this disease supplied around 18.4 billion hours of unpaid care which saved the nation over $232 billion. However, it is estimated that by the end of 2018, Alzheimer’s disease will cost the United States over $277 billion. Due to the severity of the cost to support care for Alzheimer’s patients, many organizations, charities, and events have been set up in support of finding and funding a cure, including the Walk To End Alzheimer’s.
2018 Walk to End Alz
October 13th marks Cleveland’s 2018 Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The Walk to End Alz is a national event that takes place annually in over 600 communities. The Walk acts as a fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association as well as raises awareness for Alzheimer’s disease. This event is the largest fundraising & awareness event for Alzheimer’s disease, and Legacy Health Services is so excited to be participating. This year we have a Legacy Health Services team, a Pleasant Lake Villa Team, a Broadview Multi-Care team, and a Wickliffe Country Place team. Together as a company, we have been able to raise a total of $5,511, thus far. This event is pivotal in expanding and funding research and support for Alzheimer’s disease, and every day we are, together, fighting to #EndAlz.
What You Can Do
Participation in the 2018 Walk to End Alzheimer’s is not limited solely to companies. To find your local walk, go to www.alz.org. Here, you will find events taking place nearby, teams requesting donations, and volunteer registration information. Take your steps today to join the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
Sources:
Alzheimer’s Association. (2018). What Is Alzheimer’s?. Retrieved from https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers.
Alzheimer’s Association National Office. (2018). About Alzheimer’s. Retrieved from http://act.alz.org/site/PageServer?pagename=walk_about_alzheimers.
Alzheimer’s Association National Office. (2018). About Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Retrieved from http://act.alz.org/site/PageServer?pagename=walk_about.