As a caregiver, I often feel alone. But when you're at the Walk to End Alzheimer's, you realize you're not; you're fighting this disease with hundreds of thousands of other people. –Daisy D.
Caregiving is rewarding, to be sure. But as we’ve noted several times, it can be a lonely existence. That’s even more apparent when caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Combatting that loneliness and offering hope for the future are a couple of the reasons Home Helpers and our caring professionals are joining with families and other loved ones to support the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
The Walk to End Alzheimer's
Held in more than 600 communities each fall, the Walk to End Alzheimer's is one of the world’s largest charitable events. The purpose is to raise funds for support and research, but also to increase awareness of the disease and the disruption it brings not only to its victims but to their entire families.
One of the things that make the Walk to End Alzheimer’s so special is its focus on community. With local events in almost every population center, the Walk creates an opportunity to meet and spend time with the many others in our neighborhoods who share our challenges and our struggles. It’s important to educate the broader community about the damage of Alzheimer’s, but it’s just as important to stand — and walk — beside those who have experienced or still are experiencing the disease in their own families.
You Are Not Alone
As much as anything, these walks give us an opportunity to remind those families, including ourselves, that we are not alone. While the day-to-day work of protecting our loved one’s dignity may seem solitary at times, it’s refreshing to see how much we really are in it together.
I hope you’ll join us by finding a walk near you. If you’ve missed this year’s walk, please take a moment to visit the Alzheimer’s Association to learn more about events and resources in your area.