Alzheimer’s Association Fund

Families across Colorado count on the Alzheimer’s Association to provide help and hope. When you check line XX on your 2009 Colorado State tax form for the Alzheimer’s Association and make a donation, you make an important contribution to our mission.

“The Alzheimer’s Association has been a Godsend for our entire family. I believe without their education and support life would be much more difficult. I also believe the Association has brought our family closer together.”
Jim Shinto, caregiver for his dad

“…I have relied on the map provided by the Alzheimer’s Association to acquire the skills and find the strength and inspiration to deliver the best possible care to my mom as she and I engage in the long goodbye with one another.”
Kate Aiello, caregiver for her mom

Alzheimer’s disease progressively robs a person of the ability to remember, think, understand and communicate. Warning signs include memory loss that disrupts daily living, challenges with planning and problem solving, completing familiar tasks like balancing the checkbook or following a well loved recipe, confusion with the date or season, your address or which state you live in, new problems with words when speaking or writing, misplacing things or being unable to retrace your steps, poor judgment, withdrawal from work or friends, and changes in mood or personality. Alzheimer’s is a disease of the brain. It destroys brain cells and is not a normal part of aging.

In Colorado, there are 72,000 people living with Alzheimer’s, and for each person with the disease there are three more people whose lives have been changed forever. While you may meet a survivor of a heart attack or cancer, you will never meet a survivor of Alzheimer’s. It is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S.

Colorado is one of two states in the country projected to see the highest increase in Alzheimer’s over the next few years; from 65,000 to 140,000 as those who moved to Colorado in the 1960s for the lifestyle head into the age brackets with the highest risk, those 65 and older. The impact on our state healthcare system, nursing homes and other care facilities as well as the business community will be dramatic as the number of people with Alzheimer’s reaches epidemic proportions.

The Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado provides individuals and families in every county in our state with counseling, education, support and a 24-hour Helpline at no cost. We train professionals caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, and we advocate for those living with Alzheimer’s and their families on related legislative issues, and with health and long-term care providers. In addition, we fund advancements in research to prevent, treat and eventually conquer this disease.

There are 5.2 million people with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States; every 72 seconds someone new is diagnosed. This devastating disease strikes one in every eight  people over the age of 65 and half of those over 85. Alzheimer’s is also seen more and more in people as young as 40 or 50; known as Early Onset Alzheimer’s.

There are 5.3 million people with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States; every 70 seconds someone new is diagnosed. This devastating disease strikes one in every seven people over the age of 65 and half of those over 85. Alzheimer’s is also seen more and more in people as young as 40 or 50; known as Younger Onset Alzheimer’s. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, to volunteer, or to register for one of our classes please go to www.alz.org/co or call our Helpline 800-272-3900.

Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter 455 Sherman Street, Suite 500 Denver, CO 80203 303-813-1669 www.alz.org/co