IT”S OCTOBER 1ST!!!!! Sorry but you you know I have to shout when it is the first of every month because it means it is time to reveal our Comments for a Cause results for the month and announce the new cause. If you are new around these parts this is a great feature on It’s Just Life that I started doing in April 2011. Each month I highlight a cause on the first of the month. During the month any comment made on any post during the month nets a 50 cent donation to that cause. It’s easy for you the reader to comment and a way that Chris and I can give back a little bit in a tangible way.
Image from Copeland Oaks Website
Last week I was excited to go spend some time with my mom at Copeland Oaks in Sebring, Ohio. I love this place and am so grateful she is living in a place that is so loving and concerned about their residents. My cause for September was targeted specifically toward the Copeland Oaks Foundation’s Life Care program which allows residents to continue to stay in the facility even if their financial situation has changed. I am thrilled to report that we will be making a donation of $185 this month thanks to all of your comments.
Source: Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
http://www.alzfdn.org
Recently I have become even more aware of the increasing need for research in the area of Alzheimer’s Disease. It is a debilitating disease that robs the individual affected of memories and much more. Families of the loved one often find themselves wondering where their loved one has gone when their memory abilities start to decline and it is not an easy to deal with the things that come as a result of the disease.
Recently a dear family friend lost her husband who had this horrible disease. My sweet brother in law, Carlton, has also been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s and when it touches family members it gets real. It’s time to get involved and see that a cure is found and caregivers have resources available to them.
After checking with Charity Navigator I was thrilled to find the the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America received their highest rating of 4 stars. That means my donation goes where I want it to go without a huge amount of overhead costs or money being spent someplace that is not service or research related. That is very important to me.
I have spent some time checking out their website and there are simply tons of resources available there for caregivers and loved ones as well as plenty of info sheets that share some pretty important information.
Their mission is simple. (All information and graphics taken from the AFA website.)
The mission of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is “to provide optimal care and services to individuals confronting dementia, and to their caregivers and families-through our member organizations dedicated to improving quality of life.”
It is always good to know what an organization is about and AFA is all about educating and joining people and organizations together to highlight what can be done to help those afflicted with the disease.
AFA unites more than 2,300 member organizations from coast-to-coast that are dedicated to meeting the educational, social, emotional and practical needs of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses, and their caregivers and families. Under AFA’s umbrella, these organizations collaborate on education, resources, best practices and advocacy —all resulting in better care for people affected by the disease.
What makes me happiest is the disclosure of how donations will be spent.
Donations help fund our toll-free helpline with counseling by licensed social workers, resources and referrals; educational conferences; a free caregiver magazine, AFA Care Quarterly; national initiatives such as National Memory Screening Day, professional education, training and qualification; and Young Leaders of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America to educate and engage teens and college students. In addition, AFA provides grants to member organizations to provide family respite care and to enhance or develop programs and services; and, through strategic partnerships, AFA funds research for medical treatment and a cure.
If you know of anyone who is dealing with this disease I am sure you will be able to find some real help through the materials available on the AFA website. The toll free helpline is an amazing resource.
So please join me this month and comment often on any and all blog posts on It’s Just Life. For each comment Chris and I will donate 50 cents to Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (cap of $500). I know some of you have first hand experience with this disease. If you have a loved one struggling with the disease please let me know in the comment section so I can keep them in my thoughts and prayers as well.
