With the recent passing of singer, songwriter Glen Campbell (1936-2017), attention draws once again on Alzheimer’s. Mr Campbell was one of the 5.5 million Americans currently living with the disease.

Our greatest advocate in fighting this most critical public health hazard and our nation’s most expensive illness, may well be the Alzheimer’s Association. The organization works toward the development of effective treatments, preventative strategies, and optimum care for those affected, their caregivers, and the friends and families who witness their loved ones slowly and methodically drift away from them.

The Alzheimer’s Association was founded in 1980 by a group of family caregivers and individuals interested in research. Today, it is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research to those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias. It reaches millions of people across the globe through their headquarters in Chicago, a public policy office in Washington, D.C., and a presence in communities across the country.

The Alzheimer’s Association works on a global, national and local level with a 24/7 helpline, support groups, educational sessions, online message boards, online resources for caregivers on their Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Center, an online Alzheimer’s Navigator^® to determine and action plan, a community resource finder, Alzheimer’s Association Green-Field Library, a resource list, and MedicAlert^® + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return^® safety service .

The Alzheimer’s Association brings worldwide researchers together at the largest conference of its kind and advance scientific data sharing through GAAIN, the Global Alzheimer’s Association International Network. They also have a scientific journal, Alzheimer’s & Dementia^® and a professional society, Alzheimer’s Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment (ISTAART). What’s more, they accelerate clinical studies by connecting healthy volunteers, people with the disease, and caregivers to current studies through Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch®, a free, easy-to-use clinical studies matching service.

Please join the cause by volunteering with the Alzheimer’s Association, participating in one of their walks, advocating for those affected by Alzheimer’s, or donating. It’s in all of our best interest to end this disease.

Alzheimer’s Association, 1-800-272-3900.

(Navigating Alzheimer’s, available from amazon.com, ACTA Publications, and my website,  will now be included in the Alzheimer’s Association’s online recommended resource list. )