Alzheimer’s Association Fund

Getting a refund on your 2012 state taxes this year? Even if you are paying taxes you can add one buck or ten bucks or more as a donation to the Alzheimer's Association Fund on your 2012 Colorado State tax form, and you'll be making an important contribution to our mission. With an ever increasing number of people being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and coming to the Alzheimer's Association for help, your donations are a critical source of funding for the programs and services we provide at no cost to families in Colorado.

Here is what your donation means in the fight against Alzheimer's disease:

• $25 provides support through our 24-hour Helpline to a family care partner
• $50 provides 10 Early Stage Welcome Kits to newly diagnosed families
• $100 enables bilingual care partners to attend six Monthly Support Groups
• $500 provides five families with an in-depth Care Consultation
• $2,000 funds 10 one-hour Alzheimer's Education and Training Workshops for up to 500 care partners

Help us continue to serve the families who need the support and hope we offer in the long journey of Alzheimer's disease. Buck Alzheimer's on your Colorado State Tax Form.

“It [class at the Alzheimer’s Association] helped relieve my anxieties about whether I could continue to have a rewarding relationship with my friend with AD as she changes." Sara Beery, caregiver

"….awesome for both myself and my 83 year old father! (Classes) have given us hope, direction, tools to use and have given us so many things to think about and plan for! … a real eye opener-it has brought us closer and truly forged us into a team to care for my mom." Sheree Huskey, daughter and caregiver

And from caregivers attending support groups hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association: "Support Group is the highlight of my month – definitely!"

"I appreciate the diverse stages people are dealing with.  I can help those who are earlier than my husband, and learn from those who are further along in their journey than I am."

"The support group helps me get through another month, and allows us to open up with freedom and peace.”"

Alzheimer's disease progressively robs a person of the ability to remember, think, understand and communicate. Memory loss, lack of judgment, difficulty with everyday tasks like the laundry, mood swings and personality changes are also often accompanied by disorientation and anxiety. Alzheimer's destroys brain cells and is not a normal part of aging. Medications treat the symptoms but don't stop the progression of the disease and there is no cure.

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 percentage increase in Alzheimer's over the next few years; from 72,000 to 110,000. 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 5.4 million people with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States; every 69 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 in more than 500,000 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