Yesterday, March 4^th, 2016, I attended the Florida Gulf Coast Alzheimer’s Association’s “Reason to Hope” event held at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Fl.

 Statistics related to Alzheimer’s on a local level were presented and included numbers for Pinellas and Pasco Counties in Central Florida. Unfortunately, we learned that there are currently enough cases to fill every seat at Tropicana Field, home to the Major League baseball team, the Tampa Bay Rays. A photograph of the Trop on an off day was shown and it sharpened the sting of this horrific reality.

 I also learned that even though the number of cases of Alzheimer’s continues to rise, and that it is the 6^th leading cause of death in the United States, financial assistance to fund research has not kept up at a pace equal to the development of the disease. Of the top 10 causes of death in America, this is the only one that SO FAR can’t be prevented, cured, or slowed. You can find more sobering statistics by reading the 2015 Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures sheet here:

1.    Help find a cure!

2.    Donate spare time and become a volunteer!

3.    Make a financial donation if able.

4.   Encourage your legislative representatives to make finding a cure a priority not just a talking point.

5.   Encourage your business to have a fundraising event at least annually. (If you don’t think Alzheimer’s and dementia has anything at all to do with your business, think again.)

6.   Share the FACTS with your friends and families.

7.   If you’ve noticed unusual behaviors in aging loved ones, call your local Alzheimer’s Association. You can talk to a live person 24/7 and start getting the help you need.