Alzheimer’s in Kentucky Video | Help with RealPlayer

Getting Involved

The Alzheimer’s Association suggests the following options for Kentuckians who wish to help volunteer time to fight Alzheimer’s disease. For more information on specific opportunities, contact the Kentucky Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, (502) 564-6930, or the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana, (800) 272-3900.

Volunteer Opportunities

Help promote awareness of Alzheimer’s disease by

• making presentations to the general public
• helping to educate and train professionals about Alzheimer’s and dementia care
• attending health fairs to provide information and educational displays
• writing letters to the editor of your local newspaper

Volunteer at an adult day center that serves those with memory loss. Volunteer “Best Friend” companions at Best Friends Adult Day Center in Lexington help provide a break from caregiving for family members and a safe, creative atmosphere for persons with memory loss.

Lead and facilitate support groups for caregivers. Support groups are needed in every part of the state.

Form a team and participate in the Memory Walk, the Alzheimer’s Association’s national annual event to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s disease.

Help an Alzheimer’s family. Caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s is a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week job. If you know someone who has a family member with Alzheimer’s, offer to help by

• keeping in touch
• running errands
• staying with the person with Alzheimer’s so the family caregiver can take a brief break
• learning about the disease and care techniques
• being supportive of family members

Advocacy Opportunities

Call or write your state legislators or members of Congress to support greater funding for Alzheimer’s research and policies that improve long-term care for the aging.

Join the Alzheimer’s Association’s Alert Network to learn about key votes in the legislature on Alzheimer’s and opportunities to contact your local elected officials.

Attend hearings and community meetings on long-term care, family support services, and other issues affecting persons with dementia and their families. Speak up for the needs of families.

Write letters to the editor and articles for your local newspaper to increase public awareness of this disease and its implications for our public health and long-term care system.

Support other groups working on aging, health, and long-term care issues that impact persons with Alzheimer’s and their families.

Invite your local representative to visit your family to understand Alzheimer’s caregiving firsthand, whether in your family home or in a facility setting.