On October 1, the St. Paul Elder Services team participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Fox Cities. Held in more than 600 communities across the country, the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. The St. Paul Elder Services team was the largest team to participate and to fundraise, bringing in an impressive $11,225, more than double its goal of $5,000. In all, the Fox Cities walk raised more than $99,000.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory, thinking skills and eventually the ability to carry out simple tasks. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 5 million Americans are living with the disease and that number is expected to rise to as many as 16 million by 2050. Today, Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States and kills more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.
St. Paul Elder Services fully embraces the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association – to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia through global research, risk reduction, early detection and quality care. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are treatments available that can temporarily slow the progression of the disease. The money raised by will go towards finding a cure and temporary treatment.
St. Paul Elder Services also offers support through its program called Passages, a unique continuum of care and respite care for those living with memory loss symptoms and their caregivers. Passages offers the right care at the right time no matter where someone might be in their memory loss journey. Services are provided in a variety of settings, at home, in the community and within the St. Paul campus.