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Winter 2015
HelplineThe Alzheimer's Association Helpline
 
Our helpline at
800-272-3900
operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in 140 languages.

 

Our staff is highly trained and knowledgeable about all aspects of Alzheimer's disease.  

 

Call us if you have questions about:

 

-Alzheimer's disease or memory loss, medications and treatment options, brain health and

care options

 

-Caregiving tips and respite care options
 

-Services available in your community and referrals 


You can also call us for emotional support as often as you need. 

 

Remember, we are here for you. All day,  every day.  

 

EducationalUpcoming Educational Programs
   
March 5th
6pm
Understanding the Behaviors of Dementia - Causes, Interventions and Responses & 
Hoarding: When You Reach the Breaking Point
Commonwealth at Farnham
511 Cedar Grove Road
Farnham, VA 22460
Dinner will be served.  RSVP by calling 804-443-4885.


March 13th

10am-2pm
Living with Alzheimer's: Early Stage for Family Caregivers 

Career Training Solutions 

10304 Spotsylvania Ave. #400

Fredericksburg, VA 22408

Pre-register by calling 540-370-0835.   

 

March 17th 

10:30am-12pm

Know the Ten Signs: When is Forgetfulness a Problem?

Port Towne Apartments Community Room 

111 Port Towne Lane
Urbanna, VA 23175
Pre-register by calling 804-695-9382. 


March 18th - 3-4:30pm
Understanding and Responding to Behaviors 
Spring Arbor of Salisbury 
14001 Turnberry Lane 
Midlothian, VA 23113
Pre-register by calling 804-967-2580.

March 19th

1:30-3pm

Getting Started:  What to do if you Suspect a Family Member has Dementia or has been Diagnosed with Dementia

2217 Princess Anne St. 

2nd Flr Conference Room
Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Pre-register by calling 540-370-0835. 


To view the complete list, please click HERE

For more information, please call 804-967-2580.

 

SupportGroupsSupport Groups
 
Discover support groups in your area and receive the emotional support you need!

To learn more, click HERE.

 

 StayConnectedStay Connected
 

Address: 

4600 Cox Road

Suite 130

Glen Allen, VA 23060

 

Phone:  

804-967-2580 

 

24/7 Helpline:

800-272-3900

  

www.alz.org/grva   

 


















 
 

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CEOSHERRY PETERSON, LONGTIME CEO OF THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION GREATER RICHMOND CHAPTER, TO RETIRE ON JUNE 30TH 

 

Sherry Peterson, CEO of the Alzheimer's Association Greater Richmond Chapter, will retire on June 30, 2015, after nearly 17 years of leadership to the Chapter.

 

"Under Sherry's leadership, the Alzheimer's Association Greater Richmond Chapter has grown exponentially, and now serves thousands of individuals annually throughout the region," said Andrea Yoak, President of the Alzheimer's Association Greater Richmond's Board of Directors.

 

Peterson began her work with the Alzheimer's Association Greater Richmond Chapter in 1998; a time when the Chapter included one full time employee. The Chapter now includes 16 employees with a headquarters in Richmond and regional offices in Fredericksburg, Gloucester, and Colonial Heights.

 

"It has been my honor to provide leadership to the Alzheimer's Association and to serve the over 26,000 individuals in our chapter area with Alzheimer's and their families and caregivers," said Peterson. "I have been fortunate to have a strong board to help guide the chapter."

 

"We are grateful for Sherry's dedication, compassion and steady leadership and we wish her happiness in retirement," said Yoak.

 

Peterson, a native of New York, and a University of Vermont and Virginia Commonwealth University graduate, has spent over 40 years working in nonprofits in Central Virginia, including 17 years in child welfare and 6 years in education.

 

"It has been a privilege to work with a dedicated and compassionate staff who provide support and guidance to those affected by this devastating disease," added Peterson, "and I remain dedicated to the cause and the Alzheimer's Association and hope we will soon achieve our vision of 'a world without Alzheimer's disease.'"

 

"The Board of Directors will select the Chapter's next CEO over the coming weeks," added Yoak, "and we are confident we will find an individual able to build upon the foundation set forth by Sherry and position the Greater Richmond Chapter for success and additional growth as we continue to do all we can to meet the needs of those facing Alzheimer's and their loved ones."

 

She will join her husband, Bill Peterson, PhD, former Senior Policy Analyst for Virginia Department for the Aging, in retirement.  

 

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TrajectoryAN ALZHEIMER'S TREATMENT BY 2025 SAVES LIVES AND DOLLARS 

 

The U.S. could save $220 billion within the first five years of a treatment for Alzheimer's disease being introduced, according to a new report from the Alzheimer's Association.

The Alzheimer's Association report, Changing the Trajectory of Alzheimer's Disease: How a Treatment by 2025 Saves Lives and Dollars, takes an in-depth look at the potential lives saved and positive economic impact if a hypothetical treatment that effectively delays the onset of Alzheimer's disease is discovered and made available to Americans by 2025.  

The report shows that meeting the 2025 goal of the national Alzheimer's plan would reduce the number of individuals affected by the disease by 2.5 million within the first five years of a treatment being available.

The report reinforces the value of reaching the 2025 goal set by the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease mandate by the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA). If the federal government were to invest $2 billion per year as recommended by the scientific community, then it would recoup its investment within the first three years after a treatment became available.

  

Read the full Alzheimer's Association statement here.

 

The full text of the Alzheimer's Association Changing the Trajectory of Alzheimer's Disease: How a Treatment by 2025 Saves Lives and Dollars can be viewed here.

 

 
The Longest Day 2015

 

LongestDayTHE LONGEST DAY IS COMING!

 

The Longest Day aims to raise funds and awareness for the Alzheimer's Association and is held annually on the summer solstice - June 21st.   

 

This year, from sunrise to sunset, individuals across the Greater Richmond region will come together and support our mission and participate in activities that they love (running, bocce, biking, hiking, baking, singing, Bridge, golfing, etc.) to honor someone they love facing the disease. 

The Longest Day is meant to symbolize the challenging journey those living with Alzheimer's and their caregivers face every single day! 

To learn more, or to register your event, please click here.  

  

 
 
 

OverCounterPOPULAR OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS MAY INCREASE DEMENTIA RISK 
   
Popular non-prescription and prescription medications, including the active ingredient in Benadryl, have been linked to increased risk of developing dementia by a study published in a top-tier medical journal.

 

According to researchers publishing in JAMA Internal Medicine, the risk is most associated with long-term use of four common meds:  

 

Diphenhydramine - an over-the-counter antihistamine used to treat allergies and aid sleep. Benadryl is the most common brand, but this drug is in several brands of allergy and sleep-inducing meds, including Nytol. 

Chlorpheniramine - an over-the-counter antihistamine used to treat allergies. Chlor-Trimeton is the most common brand. 

Oxybutynin - a prescription medication used to control over-active bladder conditions. 

Doxepin - an older prescription antidepressant (from a class of meds called tricylic antidepressants). Sinequan is the most common brand.

 

Read the full report here
 
 
 

 
ACACACAC'S 30 DAYS FOR $30 TO BENEFIT THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION

If you join ACAC from March 1st through March 31st for just $1 a day, they will donate $30 to the Alzheimer's Association!

The Richmond-area ACAC locations are:

Midlothian 
11621 Robious Road 
Midlothian, VA 23113

Short Pump 
2201 Old Brick Road 
Glen Allen, VA 23060

Learn more here .

 

MarathonRICHMONDER RUNNING BOSTON MARATHON FOR ALZHEIMER'S AWARENESS

 

Richmonder Matt Brotheron is currently training for, and will ultimately run in, the 119th Boston Marathon on April 20, 2015 in memory of his grandmother who suffered from Alzheimer's during the last six years of her life.  

 

"Alzheimer's is a cause close to my heart, so I am training hard and will run over 500 training miles so I can run for Alzheimer's - for awareness and to raise funds," said Brotherton.

 

Brotherton hopes to raise $5,000 for Alzheimer's research and support services.

 

If you would like to support his efforts, you can contribute at his Crowdrise page here.