CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Awareness and support are two key actions that can be done in the fight of Alzheimer’s disease, Alzheimer’s Association officials say.
As June is Alzheimer’s and Brian awareness month, the Alzheimer’s Association of West Virginia has plenty of events happening that help keep the conversation about the disease going.
“We are raising awareness of the disease,” Nikki Miller, the Special Events Coordinator for Alzheimer’s Association of WV said.
“Trying to let people know about it because of what Alzheimer’s is with the stigma around it. We have The Longest Day which is our second significant fundraiser event that takes place in June as well.”
The Longest Day takes place on Friday, the summer solstice which is the day with the most light. Events will take place all over the state with all proceeds benefitting the Alzheimer’s Association.
Included in the day events will be an hour of yoga for $5 at the Hurricane City Park from 6 p.m. to 7 hosted by Trinity Yoga of West Virginia. Following the yoga in Hurricane, a Light the Way 5K Glow Run & Walk will take place at 9:30 p.m. Registration begins onsite at 8:30 p.m. and will cost $35.
On Thursday, there is a happy hour in Charleston at Black Sheep from 5 p.m. to 7 that will benefit the association.
Miller said the association uses all funds to help with their mission of being a backbone for families with a loved one who lives with the disease.
“We really just want to stand beside them in the journey,” she said. “A lot of our families spend them with us. They feel like our family as we stand beside them. We can help them when things get tough.”
Miller said that because the disease has no cure that a lot of doctors do not know how to address it with patients. The association has a physicians outreach program, helping them talk to patients.
“As soon as we get that first phone call we can get a family a basic packet together,” Miller said.
“It goes out to them and lists physicians in their areas, nursing homes in their areas, home health agencies in their areas. We get also set up a care consultation.”
Only 50-percent of people that have the disease are diagnosed correctly, which is a number that Miller and her organization are hoping to grow.
According to Miller, in West Virginia more than 37,000 people are living with Alzheimer’s and more than 107,000 families and friends are providing care for their loved ones.
Click HERE for more information on The Longest Day and the association.