| The five million or more Americans who suffer from | | | | ultimate clearing house of information on Alzheimers |
| Alzheimers disease at any given time don't do it | | | | disease. Through the library, a variety of information |
| alone. Thanks to the Alzheimers Association there is | | | | is also offered to the public at no charge. |
| a group available that works around the clock to help | | | | * Conferences. The Alzheimers Association plays host |
| find the cause, make life easier on patients and their | | | | to and takes part in a number of different annual |
| families and most importantly to locate a cure. | | | | conferences dedicated to advancing research into |
| The stated mission of the Alzheimers Association is | | | | this most troubling condition. From efforts to find a |
| to wipe out the disease through research, to offer | | | | cure to those designed to isolate a cause and |
| and enhance care and available support for the | | | | possible treatments to slow the disease's |
| people impacted by it and to reduce the risks for the | | | | progression, the association stays involved. |
| development of dementia. The association does this | | | | * Grants. The association provides research grants |
| through a number of different efforts, programs and | | | | directly to scientists and other medical professionals |
| outreach efforts. | | | | who are working on unlocking the mystery that |
| The Alzheimers Association reaches out to people all | | | | surrounds this condition. |
| over America through a number of local chapters. | | | | * Fundraising. One of the primary functions of the |
| These chapters are the source for local services and | | | | association is to raise money to support programs |
| assistance. The agency also provides a 24-hour | | | | and research. This is accomplished through a number |
| helpline that is available seven days a week. The line | | | | of efforts, including the annual Memory Walk. |
| can handle calls for information and referrals in 140 | | | | * Public awareness. This is another major component |
| different languages. | | | | of the association. By raising public awareness about |
| The association also works heavily in the online | | | | this epidemic, the association strives to dispel myths, |
| community to provide information and support to | | | | provide frank information and help enlist others to |
| patients, their families and others who seek | | | | the cause. |
| knowledge about this condition. Beyond providing | | | | Founded in the 1980s, the Alzheimers Association is |
| information, the agency also works to raise public | | | | one of the leading organizations dedicated to |
| awareness, raise funds for research and support | | | | researching this condition and finding a cure. In the |
| programs and more. | | | | meantime, the group also works to help ensure |
| Some of the major programs the association funds | | | | patients and their families do not struggle alone. With |
| and supports include: | | | | chapters all over the country, the association has |
| * Safe Return. This is a national identification program | | | | dedicated more than $200 million to the cause and |
| that helps ensure patients who wander have a | | | | continues to do so. |
| greater chance of returning home safely. Wandering | | | | While there is still no cure, the association's goal is to |
| is a major cause for concern with Alzheimers | | | | create a world where Alzheimers doesn't exist. With |
| patients. | | | | continued support, this is hoped to one day be |
| * Green-Field Library. This library is considered the | | | | possible. |