A Message From Senator Renee Unterman
YOUR Representatives want to hear YOUR story! Learn why Senator Renee Unterman is passionate about Alzheimer’s disease, and why she wants to see you at the Georgia Capitol on February 13th!
A Message from Senator Nan Orrock
YOUR Representatives want to hear YOUR story! Learn why Senator Nan Orrock is passionate about Alzheimer’s disease, and why she wants to see you at the Georgia Capitol on February 13th! Click here to join us!
Albany, Georgia Walk to End Alzheimer’s Receives “Rising Star” Award
In 2009 the decline in the economy forced the Southwest Georgia Region of the Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter to take a closer look at the way we operated, and forced us make some unwanted cuts and other changes. One change was to move the location of the Regional Office from Albany, GA. to Tifton, GA. This centered us in the 35 counties we cover and allowed us to better serve those dealing with Alzheimer’s disease throughout the region. This change needed to happen, but they were several concerns. Albany was our home for many years; would they feel like we were abandoning them? Could we still get the fundraising support in Albany that we so desperately needed? Would individuals still volunteer and support our events?
Over the next 2 years we recruited new Board Members from all parts of the region. We raised awareness and started to serve more individuals and their families in South Georgia who suffered from this terrible disease. We started new support groups and sent valuable information to new families who were beginning their journey with Alzheimer’s disease. We started a new Walk To End Alzheimer’s in Tifton and did extremely well, but most importantly, we did not lose the support in Albany. A dedicated group of volunteers continued the support group in Albany. They were advocates at “Awareness Day at the Capitol” in Atlanta and continued to volunteer for the Walk To End Alzheimer’s. They were passionate about our cause and continued support the Alzheimer’s Association, even after the move
In 2011, about 2 ½ years after our move, I am extremely proud to say the Albany Walk to End Alzheimer’s received a national “rising star” award for 100% growth over 2010. This accomplishment is amazing and something Albany needs to be proud of. Not only did they continue the Walk, and despite hard economic times, they grew revenue by 100% over 2010. This group motivated me every day, and I looked forward to the meetings and hearing the positive attitudes and new ideas of how we were going to succeed. They knew families were counting on us, and the location of an office didn’t matter to them. Evie Carver (Walk Chairman) and I will attend the Leadership Summit on February 16-18 in San Diego, California and claim our award. In my opinion, there is not a more deserving group of people. Well done Albany, you make me proud!
Dan Phillips
Regional Outreach Director
Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter Southwest GA Region
find your VOICE
When I was growing up, my parents told me that even though I was only one person, I could make a difference in the world. My mother taught me that just one person could change the world—history proves it.
Not only am I the Advocacy Manager for the Georgia Chapter, I am a former caregiver for my mother. When I was caring for my mother, I felt overwhelmed with caregiving—I felt frustrated that there was no cure and few programs that could help her or help me in caring for her—I felt powerless. I knew the issues first-hand because I had lived them as I traveled the Alzheimer’s Journey with my mother—I wanted desperately to do something to fight this disease, but I was only one person, a daughter, a caregiver—what could I do?
And then it hit me—I had worked for a county government for thirty years—I had lobbied the legislature in support of county and state issues, so I knew the impact that could make. I knew the impact that just one constituent sharing his concern with his district commissioner could make on that commissioner and ultimately on the county’s action in response to that constituent’s concern. That constituent had a voice and a constituent willing to use his voice is powerful! Imagine your voice united with that of 300 or so others at the Capitol—we’re all in purple t-shirts, all at the there for one common goal—to get the necessary support and services for those we love until we can help bring about a world without Alzheimer’s.
If you’re an advocate, you can’t help but feel the love, commitment, and power when we meet at the Capitol. You can’t help but feel excited, inspired, and powerful when you talk to a legislator and he or she says “YES, I’ll vote for you.”
Whether you are a medical professional, professional caregiver, social worker, friend, family member, or a person with dementia–we need your VOICE! Your story is important; your story is powerful—and legislators listen to stories; legislators take action based on stories!
I love meeting every advocate, talking with you about the issues, listening to your story, and helping you to find a your VOICE. I love seeing the transformation that happens in some advocates like you who may be unsure about what to say or how to say it when you come to the Capitol—those of you who may be uncomfortable about talking to your senator or representative. Then, as you visit the legislators in groups, I see your passion ignited—you become inspired and empowered, and you find your VOICE!
Won’t you join us on Monday, February 13, for Alzheimer’s Awareness Day at the Georgia State Capitol? Tell a family member, a friend, a coworker—pass the word—your VOICE can make a difference. United, all of our voices DO make a difference.
Won’t you join us and be a part of our “Purple Power?”
Kathy Simpson
Advocacy Manager
Alzheimer’s Association, GA Chapter
Time’s Almost Up!
It’s the final hours of our campaign with Groupon! Between Tuesday and Today, Groupon has been featuring an ad for donations to our Medic Alert + Safe Return program. MedicAlert + Safe Return is a 24-hour nationwide emergency response service for individuals with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia who wander or have a medical emergency. We provide 24-hour, nationwide assistance, no matter when or where the person is reported missing. The cost of enrollment is around $55, which as you can imagine can be extremely difficult for a family dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease to meet.
We don’t want cost to keep anyone from keeping their loved one safe, so we provide scholarships to those who need assistance, and there is also no cost to enroll if your loved one has already wandered. To help support this program, Groupon is running the ad for donations to go directly to providing those enrollments. Our goal is to have 138 people give. Each donation is set at $10, so if 138 people give we will raise enough to provide 25 people with enrollment into the program!
We’re over 90 donors now, and we’re so close to reaching our goal! Please help us hit 138 by tweeting, posting, emailing and sharing this link: http://www.groupon.com/deals/gt-alzheimers-association-georgia
Donations can save lives! Help us keep those who wander safe in Georgia!
Sarah Cronin
E-Philanthropy Coordinator
Alzheimer’s Association|Georgia Chapter
Stopping wandering in Georgia.. one safe return membership at a time
Here at the Alzheimer’s Association Georgia Chapter, we are so excited about the opportunity to be featured on Groupon for donations to our Medic Alert + Safe Return program! In one of the first campaigns of its kind here, we’re asking for donations specifically for our Medic Alert + Safe return program. You can watch a video to find out all about the program here.
60% of people with Alzheimer’s will wander. We just saw this happen in Georgia, when a woman with mild dementia wandered away from her home, and was missing for over 24 hours in freezing temperatures. At the Alzheimer’s Association Georgia Chapter, we want to make sure that people with Alzheimer’s in Georgia who wander get home as quickly and safely as possible.
Enrollment in the Medic Alert + Safe return program is just about $55. In this economy, and being a caregiver (often a full time job), it can be difficult to afford that cost. We don’t want money to be an issue when protecting a loved one, so we give you a membership at no cost if your loved one has wandered already, and we provide scholarships to first time members who cannot afford the $55 cost.
All of the donations you make will go directly to this program, and directly to helping families provide their loved ones with this life saving jewelry. Groupon requires we hit a “tipping point” for the donations to happen (for the transactions to occur) of 33 donors. That’s $330, and 6 life saving Medic Alert + Safe Return enrollments. Once we hit that, then all donations go through, and every $55 raised from then on are even more enrollments! So please spread the word, and help us make sure that those who wander in Georgia get home safe!
Sarah Cronin
E-Philanthropy Coordinator
Alzheimer’s Association|Georgia Chapter
Groupon’s Helping to Stop Wandering in Georgia
Between January 10th-12th Groupon will be running a campaign to benefit our Medic Alert + Safe Return program. Every dollar you donate through this campaign will go directly to this program, and help save the lives of those who may wander. Just visit www.groupon.com between 1/10-1/12 and look in the bottom right hand corner for the link. Every donation is $10, and we need at least 33 people to give for the donations to count. That’s 6 life saving Safe Return enrollments for those families who desperately need them. Please pass this on to friends and family, so that we can go beyond the 33 donors and get Georgia residents the Safe Return help they need!
It is common or a person with dementia to wander and become lost; many do so repeatedly. Up to 67% of people with Alzheimer’s and dementia are at risk of wandering. If they are not located in 24 hours there is a 46% chance the individual will be found seriously injured or even dead. It is hard for a family to plan for a wandering situation so it is important for families to enroll their loved one’s into our MedicAlert + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return program.
MedicAlert + Safe Return is a 24-hour nationwide emergency response service for individuals with Alzheimer’s or related dementia who wander or have a medical emergency. We provide 24-hour assistance, no matter when or where the person is reported missing. If an individual with Alzheimer’s or related dementia wanders and becomes lost, caregivers can call the 24-hour emergency response line (1-800-625-3780) to report it. A community support network will be activated, including local Alzheimer’s Association chapters and law enforcement agencies, to help reunite the family member or caregiver with the person who wandered. With this enhanced service, critical medical information will be provided to emergency responders when needed.
In Georgia, the Alzheimer’s Association provides scholarship funds to families in need, or to those who have wandered before. It is important to get a person enrolled in MedicAlert + Safe Return before the wandering behaviors even begin. With your donation through Groupon we can provide more support to the families in Georgia who are in need.
Kim Franklin
Safety Services Manager
41 Perimeter Center East, Suite #550
Atlanta, GA. 30346
1-800-272-3900 Helpline
kim.franklin@alz.org
New Year, New Goals
Happy New Year!
Thanks to all of your help in 2011, we were able to
- Field 8,228 calls to our 24/7 helpline.
- Educate 19,354 people on caring for someone with Alzheimer’s Disease.
- Provide care consultations to 2,093 people.
- Help 8,606 people find a community in a support group.
- Enroll 316 people with Alzheimer’s or Dementia who may wander in our Safe Return + Medic Alert program, and specially train 2,315 law enforcement officials in locating and helping those people with Alzheimer’s who wander.
- Provide 650 people with Early Stage Alzheimer’s programs for support, such as Art 4 Alzheimer’s.
- Provide 2,643 caregivers a break through our respite programs.
Overall, we provided care and support to over 98,000 people in Georgia dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease, but it’s not enough. There are currently over 200,000 people in Georgia living with Alzheimer’s Disease, and more than 500,000 affected by Alzheimer’s through their role as caregivers, and that number is dramatically increasing. To help them, we need your help. In 2012, help us go above and beyond what was done in 2011 by offering your continued support.
Whether it be through talking about us on your facebook, tweeting, blogging, liking, tagging, Walking to End Alzheimer’s, Donating, Volunteering, or whatever you can do to help.
Together, we can see a world without Alzheimer’s.
US Soldier Fights for Our Country and Against Alzheimer’s Disease
Well it is that time of the year again to honor my dad. Uncle Sam has called me away this year to help defeat the Taliban in Afghanistan. People always say how can we support a soldier, i say support this soldier in his efforts to stomp out this horrible disease. I hope to be at the Tifton walk but who knows with this war we are fighting. Please help me out by donating to this cause. We are going to find a cure for this GOD awful disease. This has been a historic year for me by being in the fight when we took out Bin Laden now help me make it even more memorable by helping put this disease to rest forever. It has been seven years since dad has gone on and i still miss him like is it was June 2004. Love you Pop’s and i will never let your memory die. Rest In Peace and i will see you on the other side
Thank you for joining our movement! The end of Alzheimer’s disease starts here.
-Michael Hobbs
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