Annual Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk Invites Public

By Lee Ann Stedman

In the United States, 5.3 million people are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and a new individual is diagnosed with the disease every 70 seconds, according to Alzheimer’s Association statistics. Circle of Care proudly serves many families affected by this heartbreaking disease. As an annual sponsor of the Alzheimer’s Association® in Southern Maryland and the Alzheimer’s Association Dementia Care Conference, this month Circle of Care dedicates this page to the Alzheimer’s Association – the brave families living with this disease and the tireless efforts of those affiliated with the Alzheimer’s Association here in Southern Maryland.

The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting Southern Maryland residents to become Champions in the fight against Alzheimer’s by participating in the annual Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®. Regency Furniture Stadium and Asbury~Solomons Island will be the sites of the 2010 Memory Walk® on Saturday 18, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. check-in time with the walk commencing promptly at 10 a.m.

As our population ages, the incidence of Alzheimer’s is growing. In Maryland alone, Alzheimer’s disease has seen an increase of 10% from statistics gathered in 2000. In terms of economics, 2009 alone estimated 187,814 family caregivers exhausting over 200,000 hours of unpaid care. The total value of this unpaid care was almost $2.5 million. A large percentage of these family caregivers are also in the workforce making it necessary additionally to hire paid caregivers. A 1997 report by MetLife and the National Alliance for Caregiving estimated the cost to U.S. businesses in decreased productivity of employees with caregiving responsibilities to be at least $11.4 billion per year.

“There has never been a greater need for the citizens of Southern Mary- land to join in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease by participating in the Memory Walk®,” said Linda Gottfriend, an Alzheimer’s Association spokesperson. “Funds raised [by the Memory Walk®] will provide support services to the residents of Southern Maryland living with Alzheimer’s, while also contributing to critically needed research.”

The Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk® is an empowering event that gives participants an opportunity to be Champions by taking action and raising funds to fight Alzheimer’s. In addition to the one mile or three mile walk option, participants will enjoy music, dance, face painting, and area vendors who are sponsoring this event.

Additionally, on Wednesday November 3, 2010, the Alzheimer’s Association and its sponsors will welcome both professionals and private caregivers and families battling dementia to its Dementia Care Conference. The event is located at the Jaycees Hall in Waldorf, MD – a day of information and fellowship including lunch and door prizes. One featured speaker for the event, Mary Owen, will be presenting “Grieving Over Time,” a talk about coping with losses that occur in stages, over a period of time. Support for the family caregivers; learning to care for yourself as you care for your loved one is critical to each individual in this situation.

For more information about becoming a part of the Memory Walk® and the Dementia Care Conference, please contact Linda Gottfried at 301-934-5856 or email linda.gottfried@alz.org. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, please visit the Alzheimer’s Association’s website at www.alz.org.

For more information about how Circle of Care can assist you with the care of your loved one, please contact us at 410-257-1900 or 410-414-2646 or email info@mdcircleofcare.com. For more information about Circle of Care, please visit our website at www.mdcircleofcare.com.

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About Lee Ann Stedman

Circle of Care is bonded, insured and duly licensed by the State of Maryland’s Office of Health Care Quality as a Residential Services Agency. Circle of Care is a proud member of the Maryland National Capital Homecare Association.

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