Memory Walk to benefit Alzheimer’s research
Angie Spleiss works in the senior retirement and assisted-living industry and sees firsthand the devastation Alzheimer’s disease causes.
“It really hits home because you see what families go through trying to care for loved ones that have Alzheimer’s disease – it’s absolutely devastating,” Spleiss says.
Spleiss and Mary Beth Hassell are volunteer co-chairs for the 12th annual North Idaho Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. at Farragut State Park’s Sunrise Pavilion. Early registration begins at 8:30.
Memory Walk is the association’s national signature event to help those battling Alzheimer’s disease. Last year’s walk raised more than $27,000. The nationwide Memory Walk has raised more than $175 million and takes place in more than 600 communities.
Participants walk as individuals or as part of a team. Walkers ask friends, family, business associates and others to sponsor them by making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association. About 25 others volunteer their time to register walkers, staff rest stops and offer refreshments.
According to the national Web site, Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person’s memory and ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities. As Alzheimer’s progresses, individuals may also experience changes in personality and behavior.
Although there is no cure for the disease, new treatments are on the horizon as a result of accelerating insight into the biology of the disease. Memory Walk participants help show support for Alzheimer’s families, and, with the money they raise, help fund research.
P.J. Christo, outreach coordinator for the North Idaho Alzheimer’s Association, says the walk is a beautiful stroll along the lakefront of Lake Pend Oreille at Farragut State Park.
“We encourage participants of all ages to come – they can even walk the course with their dogs,” Christo says. “The only competition is for dollars raised.”
Everyone gets a free lunch and a bag of goodies provided by sponsoring merchants. Individuals who raise $50 also get a T-shirt. There will be live entertainment, prizes and raffles.
According to Christo, the donor-supported, nonprofit Alzheimer’s Association provides reliable information and care consultation; funding for dementia research; and influences public policy. Services include a broad range of programs for people with the disease, families, care partners, residential care professionals, and professional health-care providers.
Money raised locally supports the Safe Return Program that assists in locating individuals with Alzheimer’s who are lost, or found wandering, and returning them to their families; the Senior Companion program which provides day respite with seniors who are trained to assist families experiencing difficulties with the tasks of caregiving; a conference and training program for caregivers and family members; and an Alzheimer’s dementia information helpline and support group.
Funds are also used to purchase educational materials such as audiotapes, books, brochures, and videotapes, which are donated to three resource libraries located at Kootenai Medical Center, Boundary Community Hospital in Bonners Ferry, and the chapter office in Spokane.
“A lot of volunteers become involved because of personal experiences,” Christo says. “The real sufferers are the family members. Our vision is a world without this disease.”