On Saturday, Oct. 1, many local residents will be taking an important walk together.

They'll be walking to honor or remember their loved ones with Alzheimer's disease—and because they support the work of the Alzheimer's Association–Heart of America Chapter, which provides informed, caring support for those living with Alzheimer's, their families, and their care partners.

The Alzheimer's Association–Heart of America Chapter serves 66 counties in Kansas and Missouri and is a trusted resource for information, education, training, support programs, and services to more than 50,000 individuals and nearly 200,000 family members and care partners suffering the emotional, physical, and financial challenges of Alzheimer's disease.

The Heart of America Chapter is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, donor-supported organization. Programs and services are made possible through contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The chapter's mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research, provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. The chapter's vision: A world without Alzheimer's disease.

If you or a loved one have Alzheimer's disease, much help is available through the Heart of America Chapter:

Early-stage support groups. Early-stage support groups provide information, discussion, and inspiration through an honest participant exchange of how people are coping and continuing on with productive lives.  A group meets in Prairie Village. If you are considering joining the group, call Michelle Niedens, 913-831-3888, for an orientation meeting before attending. The orientation allows discussion about the group, gives opportunities to ask questions, and ensures that the group is the right fit for the needs of the prospective participant.

Connect with others online. The Alzheimer's Association Internet message boards and chat rooms provide a virtual online community for persons with Alzheimer's, caregivers, and care providers 24 hours a day.

24-hour information and support. The Alzheimer's Association Information and Support Line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Staff are highly trained and know-ledgeable about all aspects of Alzheimer's disease. Call if you have questions about Alzheimer's disease or memory loss, medications and treatment options, brain health, care options, and referrals. You may also call at any time for emotional support. If you prefer, send a message to jeanne.reeder@alz.org. Your inquiry will receive a response within 48 hours.

Care consultation. Families and care partners often need assistance finding and using community resources. The Heart of America Chapter offers individual and family care planning. Consultation services include assessment of needs, assistance with planning and problem solving, and supportive listening.

Caregiver support groups. Several Heart of America Chapter support groups provide a consistent and caring place for group members to discuss the challenges and joys of caregiving. Group members share their feelings, find emotional support, exchange information, and educate themselves about Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Group members bring new ideas to the table, learn about local and association resources, share new ways of coping, boost each other's energy, and help build confidence.

Breakfast clubs. Breakfast clubs are hometown support experiences where people share food and gather in a safe environment to discuss their experiences. The local breakfast club meets at 9:30 a.m. the second Saturday of the month at the St. Louis Center, 5930 Swope Parkway, Kansas City, Mo. The contact is Clemme Rambo, 816-361-6604.

Kansas Dementia Bridge Project. This project provides dementia crisis support to persons experiencing symptoms of dementia such as depression, wandering, resistance to daily care, sleep disturbance, and physical aggression. The Bridge Project serves persons in any setting, including home, hospital, and facility. For more information, contact Michelle Niedens: 913-831-3888 or michelle.niedens@alz.org.

Memories in the Making.© This art program provides a means of creative expression for persons with Alzheimer's disease. Experienced volunteer artists work weekly with groups in assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and adult day programs.

Memory Room. About four times a year, the Heart of America Chapter partners with volunteer area artists, high school artists, and nursing home facilities to create a wall mural for late-stage dementia patients who spend the majority of time in their rooms. The mural is typically based on some aspect of the person's life: a familiar scene, a countryside, or a special place where fond memories reside.

Caregiver Education Programs. The chapter offers informational programs on topics that include understanding the disease process, coping strategies, legal and financial issues, and caregiving. For a current schedule, contact Kelly Jones: 913-831-3888 or kelly.jones@alz.org.

Mollie Tivol Alzheimer's Family Resource Center. The resource center is in the main office, open 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday to provide books, brochures, videos, and other resources on Alzheimer's for loan or purchase. Many of these resources are also available in other regional offices.

Dakim Brain Fitness. Dakim Brain Fitness is an electronic cognitive fitness device available for use at the office in Prairie Village. Dakim provides a comprehensive 20-minute brain workout that includes graphics, music, humor, movie clips, stories, and trivia. Dakim is appropriate for persons with no or mild memory loss.

MedicAlert+Safe Return. This program was developed to respond to the problem of wandering. The Safe Return program coordinates information on program participants, caregivers, and emergency personnel to enable others to locate, identify, and return missing persons with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders who wander and become lost.

Comfort Zone. This is a tracking device that allows family members to monitor a person's location, while the individual with Alzheimer's can maintain independence and enjoy the emotional security of familiar routines and surroundings.

Project Lifesaver. Project Lifesaver provides rapid response to save lives and reduce the potential for serious injury for adults and children who wander. Project Lifesaver provides equipment, training, certification, and support to law enforcement, public safety organizations, and community groups. People who are part of the Project Lifesaver program wear a wristband that emits a tracking signal.

TrialMatch. TrialMatch is a free service that makes it easy for persons with Alzheimer's, caregivers, families, and physicians to locate clinical trials based on personal criteria (diagnosis and stage of disease) and location. More than 100 research studies pertaining to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are under way, and volunteers are needed.

Quarterly newsletter. Memory Matters, the chapter newsletter, includes articles on caregiving strategies, research, and public advocacy, and a calendar of chapter events.

Alzheimer's Association
Heart of America Chapter
3846 W. 75th St.
Prairie Village, KS 66208
www.alz.org/kansascity
913-831-3888
24-hour help line: 800-272-3900

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Walk to End Alzheimer's
Saturday, Oct. 1
Corporate Woods

Heart of America Chapter walkers, 4,500 strong, participated in 2010 and raised a record-breaking $589,000.
Register online at walktoendalz-kc.kintera.org, call 913-831-3888, or e-mail trisha.mcclanahan@alz.org.

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