PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Thousands of individuals got here out Saturday to point out their help for these affected by Alzheimer’s illness.
A Walk to End Alzheimer’s happened Saturday morning with a gap ceremony at 10:45 a.m. close to Citizens Bank Park.
Participants walked for 2 miles, and plenty of wearing purple or held completely different coloured “Promise Garden” flowers that symbolize their connection to the illness.
The Alzheimer’s Association mentioned it raised $1.17 million in direction of its objective of $1.65 million for Alzheimer’s care, help and analysis.
Lisa Johnson, 42, of Norristown, Pennsylvania, mentioned she attended the occasion due to her grandmother, Mary Lou. She helps care for the 99-year-old, who suffers from dementia.
Johnson helps to care for her 99-year-old grandmother, Mary Lou, who suffers from dementia.
“Each day, you can see a little bit more is being lost,” she mentioned.
Johnson’s grandmother depends on routine to get by every day, like getting up on the similar time every morning and consuming the identical meals.
She described the illness as virtually dropping your beloved earlier than bodily dropping your beloved.
Along with taking care of her grandmother, Johnson is a nurse at Mercy LIFE West Philadelphia. She works with the aged, lots of whom have reminiscence care challenges. She bought concerned with the stroll not solely to assist increase funds for analysis, however for the assets made accessible for the caregivers.
“Caregiver burnout is a real thing,” Johnson mentioned.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there have been roughly 28,000 Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2000. By 2025, the Association tasks there can be a few 14% enhance in affected people.
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