Colorado Gives Day!
On December 10, Alzheimer’s Association in partnership with Community First Foundation is promoting Colorado Gives Day! Colorado Gives Day is an initiative to increase philanthropy in Colorado through online giving. Presented by Community First Foundation and FirstBank, Colorado Gives Day has taken place during a 24-hour period each winter since 2010. Donations are accepted through their website at Colorado Gives Website with a goal to inspire and unite Coloradans in supporting local nonprofits.
Alzheimer’s Association currently has over 90 support groups statewide that directly assist those with Alzheimer’s disease and spouses, families, and friends who care for someone with memory loss. Through discussion, participants receive encouragement, reinforcement, and assurance from their peers. Groups are essential to connecting those with Alzheimer’s disease and caregivers who need to know they are not alone in the journey through this difficult disease.
Classes and the annual Education Symposium provide individuals and family caregivers with information and skill development to assist, support and care for someone throughout the progression of dementia. Classes for families are offered at no cost, however, some request a donation to cover materials. Classes include the evidence-based Savvy Caregiver training, providing caregivers with skills and assessment tools to better assist and manage the daily care for someone wiith dementia over the course of the disease. Other topics include safety and wandering risk training, partnering with your Doctor, orientation to early Alzheimer’s, early stage strategies, grieving through the late stages of Alzheimer’s, brain exercises, taking action, hospitalization and medications, long-distance caregiving, paying for long-term care, and research updates.
Formed in 1980, the Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. The mission of the Alzheimer’s Association is 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. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s disease.
Currently, there are more than 5 million people nationwide living with Alzheimer’s disease, including 5.2 million people over the age of 65 and between 200,000 and 500,000 people under age 65 with Younger Onset Alzheimer’s disease.
It is anticipated this number could climb to nearly 16 million by 2050! As the baby boomer population begins to age, the U.S. population will not only grow significantly older, but also much more diverse. By 2030, the minority elderly population is expected to triple!
Since 1980, the Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter has been the leader in providing information, support, education, and training for individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Age is the biggest risk factor with one in nine persons over the age of 65 and one in three of those over the age of 85 have the disease. Moreover, with 78 million baby boomers in the U.S. entering the period of greatest risk for Alzheimer’s disease, this number is expected to drastically increase and has been predicted that over 110,000 Coloradoans will have the disease by 2025.
Alheimer’s Association is an accredited Better Business Bureau member and charity.
The Association has a 24 hour helpline at 800-272-3900! Or visit their website for more information at Alzheimer’s Colorado Chapter.