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On April 10, 1980, the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related
Disorders Association was incorporated. With no more than $75,000 for a
budget, this Alzheimer Association made it under the leadership of founding
president, Jerome Stone, opening seven founding chapters in total: Boston,
Columbus, Minneapolis, New York City, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and
Seattle.
At that time, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) invested only $13
million in Alzheimer research. However, two years later in 1982, President
Ronald Reagan designated the first National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness
Week. The Alzheimer Association founded more chapters after that and started
its own research program. A testament: Things were finally beginning to
happen.
A Multimillion Dollar Organization Dedicated to Alzheimer Research
Today, the Alzheimer Association is a multimillion dollar organization run
by volunteers and dedicated individuals whose vision is to see “a world
without Alzheimer’s disease.” And with their mission “to eliminate
Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and
enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of
dementia through the promotion of brain health,” the Alzheimer Association
has indeed come a long way from its humble beginnings.
Being the first and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to
finding prevention methods, treatments, and an eventual cure for Alzheimer’s
disease, the Alzheimer Association has been acting as a catalyst for a
generation’s worth of advancements in the research revolving around
Alzheimer’s as well as general health care and support.
Services for Free
25 years since its inception, the Alzheimer Association remains a donor
supported and not for profit voluntary organization that provides reliable
information and care consultation to Alzheimer’s patients, friends and
family members. The supportive services they provide and special programs
designed for patient’s loved ones have helped many a family cope with the
disease. Moreover, the Alzheimer Association’s active role in public policy
changes has brought on an increase in funding for dementia research,
particularly its most common form, Alzheimer’s disease.
The Alzheimer Association now has nationwide distribution of local chapters
with no less than 300 points of service. They provide you with support,
whether you are a patient, a family member, or even a caregiver. In
addition, the Alzheimer Association also offers education and training
programs to care providers. These programs will help them deliver better
dementia care and improve quality of life for people living with
Alzheimer’s.
Core Programs and Services
Each of the local chapters of the Alzheimer Association provides the
following core services:
* Information and Referral – a chapter helpline that is open 24/7, providing
emotional support and information
* Care Consultation – dedicated professional staff help you navigate through
the difficult decisions and uncertainties you may have in dealing with
Alzheimer’s
* Support Group – peer or professionally led groups for caregivers
* Safety Services – Promoting and encouraging people with Alzheimer’s to
enroll in their national Safe Return program
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