Longest Day to raise funds for Alzheimer’s research

SAFFORD — June 21 is the first day of summer — and the longest day of the year — and to recognize the long days caregivers of Alzheimer patients experience, the Graham County Senior Center will conduct a Longest Day fund-raiser to benefit Alzheimer’s research

“People who care for their loved ones, it’s a long day for them, too; it’s a challenge,” said Laura Rogers, Health in Arizona Policy Initiative manager for Graham County Health Department. “There are a lot of people taking care of Alzheimer and dementia patients at their homes.”

The event will be celebrated at the Senior Center, from noon to 8 p.m., with board games for the entire family.

“We will have every kind of family game that you can think of, like Shoots and Ladders, Candyland, dominoes, different card games, chess and checkers. We'll also have a bunch of snacks,” said John Smallwood, Senior Center activity director. “We’d like families to come down and play games, and also to donate so that we can continue to help (Alzheimer’s) research.”

Rogers said it’s important people learn the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s, as early detection can make life easier as the disease progresses. Early detection allows the patient to gain improved access to medical and support services; allows the patient to make his own legal, financial and care plans; and could reduce health-care costs by delaying placement in a long-term care facility.

According to alz.org, early warning signs include:

• Memory loss that disrupts daily life

• Challenges in planning or solving problems

• Difficulty in completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure

• Confusion with time or place

• Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships

• New problems with words in speaking or writing

• Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

• Decreased or poor judgment

• Withdrawal from work or social activities

• Changes in mood or personality

“We want people to bring their loved ones who have memory impairment, to share their experience and be a social activity for them,” Rogers said. (from)

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