Alzheimer’s research

One thing I do every month when I get paid is donate to two charities. One is through an organization that builds homes in Jamaica, I pledged during a radiothon and the small amount I give every month paid for a roof for a home there. I get advertisements from other organizations every week asking for money for their cause so I pick one I haven’t done yet to do my other donation. Its not much but its what I can give and its something to a cause that I feel a tie to. Sometimes its child welfare, sometimes its animals and sometimes its health. I’ve been very lucky health wise, as have most of the people in my family.

One cause I have a heart for is Alzheimer’s research. Partly because I have a soft spot for the elderly, partly because I have watched what my grandmother has gone through with my grandfather and his dementia. He is not classified as Alzheimer’s but the dementia is there all the same. It has been harder on her than anyone, to watch the man that she loves become someone that barely recognizes her. I truly feel that the victims of Alzheimer’s are the family, because they see and feel the effects of the disease and are left with the memories of it. Worse even is that the facility he is in often neglects some of the most basic care. Things like brushing his teeth or combing his hair are things he doesn’t think to do and they are left undone. The cost of care is very high and yet the standards are not. For most families, it is impossible to keep and care for a loved one in their own home without outside help. That outside help though is often too expensive to employ. Many are then left with the only other option, a care facility. I do not mean to make it sound like all facilities are poorly run or do not care for their patients. I do think that some of the staff have a huge heart for these people, for others, it is simply a job.

One way that you can support Alzheimer’s research this year is by buying a holiday gift from the Alzheimer’s store. They offer pretty jewelry that make excellent gifts and the proceeds go towards the research for Alzheimer’s.