Jacksonville — The Walk to End Alzheimer’s® Jacksonville will begin at 9 a.m. (registration begins at 8 a.m.) on Saturday, December 4, at the University of North Florida’s J. B. Coxwell Amphitheatre.
Presented by Baptist Agewell, the annual event devoted to Alzheimer’s care, support and research, will be held in more than 600 communities nationwide. Walkers will carry flowers as they raise funds and awareness in their fight against Alzheimer’s. Participants first stroll through a Promise Garden to pluck a flower that represents their role in caring for someone with the disease. The Promise Garden is noted as a mission-focused experience that signifies solidarity in fighting this insidious disease.
Blue flowers represent someone living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Purple flowers represent an individual who has lost a loved to this disease. Yellow flowers represent anyone currently caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s. Orange flowers represent those who support the idea of living in a world without Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Alzheimer’s Disease is a brain disorder that affects memory, thinking and behavior. The Mayo Clinic describes the progressive disease as a neurological disorder that causes the brain to shrink and brain cells to die. Alzheimer patients “develop severe memory impairment and lose the ability to carry out everyday tasks.”
According to Audrey Coachman, program manager of the Alzheimer’s Association Central & North Florida Chapter, an estimated 6.2 million of Americans, age 65+ now live with Alzheimer’s dementia.
“The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s is growing — and growing fast,” said Coachman. “In Florida alone, more than 580,000 have the disease (1 in 37) and that number is expected to grow 24% by 2025.”
When asked if Alzheimer’s is part of the aging process, Coachman said that occasional memory loss - like forgetting the name of a person you’ve just met - is normal.
“However, Alzheimer’s is more than occasional memory loss,” she continued. “It’s a disease that causes brain cells to malfunction and ultimately die. When this happens, an individual may forget the name of a longtime friend or what roads to take to return to a home they’ve lived in for decades. Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of the aging process.”
Research shows that by 2050, 12.7 million people, 65+, will be affected by Alzheimer’s dementia if a medical breakthrough doesn’t cure or stunt its growth. While there’s presently no cure, drug and non-drug treatments are being tested. There is speculation that exercise and diet may help to lower its risks. Coachman said that more large scale studies in diverse populations are needed.
“Many of these lifestyle changes have been shown to lower the risk of other diseases like heart disease and diabetes, which have been linked to Alzheimer’s,” she said. “With few drawbacks and plenty of known benefits, healthy lifestyle choices can improve your health and possibly protect your brain.”
According to Coachman, there are currently 11 million caregivers for Alzheimer patients. Family and friends provide 83% of care.
“One recent study found people living with dementia required 151 hours of care-giving per month at the outset of dementia, increasing to 283 hours per month eight years later,” she said.
The medical community says that it’s important to work with doctors and the healthcare community to provide the appropriate care.
“There is no one-size-fits all formula when it comes to Alzheimer’s care, concluded Coachman. “Each family’s situation is unique.”
For more information, please call the 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 (available 365 days a year) or visit alz.org
Registration at 8 a.m. | Ceremony at 9 a.m. | Walk at 9:30 a.m.
University of North Florida at the J. B. Coxwell Amphitheater | 1 UNF Dr Jacksonville, FL 32224 | Map it
Route Length: 2 miles
Terri Cantrell | (440) 488-6045 | tdcantrell@alz.org
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