Association plans yearlong observance

From the first walk at India Point Park in Providence to our two walks coming up this year on Sept. 23 at Salve Re-gina University, Newport, and Sept. 30 at Slater Park, Pawtucket, we have come a long way as a chapter and an organization. You have been part of our success story; without our sponsors, teams, walkers and volunteers, we would not be where we are today. Join us as we take this journey together into the next 20 years.
  The Walk to End Alzheimer’s brings thousands of people together for a common cause: to raise funds to enhance care and support for families affected by Alz-heimer’s disease and related dementias and to advance research. Accom-plishments in education and advocacy the chapter has realized thanks to funds raised through the walks include:
  • Establishing a help line and care consultation for families with members that have dementia. 
  • Developing a brochure addressing driving and dementia.
• Operating support groups throughout the state and offering facilitator training.
  • Producing a Cox Cable TV show, receiving coverage on the Rhode Show and having public service announcements on all three major television networks.
  • Conducting an annual research lecture.
  • Maintaining a Web site and publishing a newsletter.
 • Providing nursing assistants training in conjunction with the Rhode Island Partnership for Home Care.
  • Starting programs such as Getting Started, Lunch & Learn, Live & Learn, and Click & Learn.   
  • Making community-based programs available at senior centers.
  • Ensuring prescriptions drugs that treat Alzheimer’s are covered by the Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Elderly Program.
  • Spearheading legislation to institute the Amber Alert for people with Alzheimer’s.
  • Holding an annual conference for caregivers.
  In addition to the chapter’s accomplishments during the past 20 years, there have also been milestones nationally on the research front.
  As Donna McGowan, our executive director, says, “These are exciting times. There is an unprecedented level of activity in the scientific community, governmental agencies and the news media, all of which are focused on ending Alzheimer's disease. Here at the Alzheimer's Association Rhode Island Chapter we are using this momentum to create and promote comprehensive and humane care for persons with Alzheimer's, to provide support for their families and professional caregivers and to eliminate the disease through the advancement of research.
  “Never before has our mission been so relevant and so on target,” she says. “As we look to 2012, we realize that the challenges will be tremendous, but we are excited about new possibilities on the horizon to meet more needs of more people. We remain confident that with continued support, we will, one day, live in a world without Alzheimer's disease.”
  In celebration of the 20th anniversary of our walk, we have a year of events planned. Some of the event dates are tentative, so check our Web site -- alz.org/ri -- or call (800) 272-3900 to confirm, receive more details and learn about additional events. So far, the schedule is:
  • Feb. 6, benefit dinner at Euro Bistro, 6 p.m., $35.
  • March 28, Cedar Crest fashion show, Kirkbrae Country Club.
• April 21, auction gala, Wannamoisett Country Club, Rumford.
  • April 27, Bankers Life and Casualty Insurance phone-a-thon, 3-7 p.m.
  • May 9, Mother’s Day tea and fashion show.
  • May 18 and 19, Forget Me Not Days.
  • June 27, Caregivers conference, Crown Plaza in Warwick.
• June 28, annual meeting.
• Nov. 1, honor a volunteer, Capitol Ridge at Providence senior living.
  • Nov. 15, Reason to Hope luncheon, Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence.
  • Nov. 28, Taste of Rhode Island Culinary Challenge, Rhodes on the Pawtuxet.
 
Camilla Farrell is development director of the Alzheimer’s Associa-tion Rhode Island Chapter in Providence. She can be reached at (401) 421-0008 or camilla.farrell@alz.org.