News

Memory walk to raise awareness, funds for Alzheimer's education

Boscobel Area Health Care has joined forces with the Grant County Alzheimer's Association to raise money to support individuals with Alzheimer's and their families. BAHC is a gold sponsor and one of 25 teams that will participate in the Grant County Memory Walk on September 13, 2008.

The two mile walk begins at Lancaster Congregational Church, 225 S. Madison Street, Lancaster WI. Registration is at 8:30 a.m.

Boscobel Area Health Care has an Alzheimer's unit in their long-term care center, and is dedicated to helping families understand and cope with the disease. "The money we raise at the Memory Walk supports the Grant County Alzheimer's Association, and helps connect local families with resources and education," says Long-Term Care Recreational Therapy Director Rose Adkins on why BAHC.

More than 200 people from across Grant County are expected to participate in this year's event to raise awareness and funds to fight Alzheimer's Disease. Jeff White, M.D. with Medical Health Associates in Platteville will serve as this year's Medical Chair. The Errthum Family of Lancaster will be honored as this year's Honorary Family Chair.

"Alzheimer's is not normal aging - it is a progressive and fatal disease, and now is the time to address this escalating epidemic," says Suzanne Bottom-Jones of the Grant County Alzheimer's Association.

More than five million people in the U.S. are now estimated to have Alzheimer's disease. This includes 4.9 million over the age of 65 and as many as 500,000 affected by early-onset. It's now the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. and the fifth leading cause of death for those over age 65.

Adkins is just one of the many experts caring for individuals on the Alzheimer's Unit in the long term care facility at Boscobel Area Health Care She says it's often frustrating for families of those receiving the diagnosis. "They come in with tons of guilt and anger. They've been the caregiver, and now they have to give that over to complete strangers," she said. "We recognize that our job is to provide services for both the resident and the family, and help them both best cope with the illness."

The disease is very difficult for relatives to accept. "Families often bring their loved ones here and think they will get better," she said. "They don't understand medications can slow the progression, but they won't make people better." Adkins says that is why early detection and treatment, which can help slow the progression, is very important. Understanding the disease and its symptoms, as well as regular checkups by a primary caregiver, are key in detecting Alzheimer's in early states.

Unlike many other diseases, the number of deaths from Alzheimer's increased 32.8 percent from 2000 to 2004. This is remarkable given the 8 percent decrease in heart disease deaths, 2.6 percent decrease in breast cancer deaths and 10.4 percent decrease in stroke deaths.

To start a team, or make a donation, visit the Alzheimer's Association website at www.alz.org/scwisc or contact Suzanne Bottom-Jones at 608-723-4288.