There are two ways to show your support for the Alzheimer’s Association - Greater Illinois Chapter this spring during our Forget Me Not program. During May send an e-Card or purchase a Forget Me Not flower through a participating location near you.

Remember your loved one or friend by sending a Forget Me Not animated e-Card. You can purchase 3 e-cards for $5. It’s a great way to memorialize or honor someone who has suffered the devastating effects of this disease and support research and educational programs at the same time.

Today, Alzheimer’s is the second most-feared illness in America, following cancer, and may affect as many as five million Americans. As the baby-boom generation reaches retirement, that number could soar to more than 11 million by 2040 and have a huge economic impact on America’s already fragile healthcare system.

This Mother's Day, you're invited to honor your mother, grandmother, aunt or godmother by taking advantage of an exclusive, online-only opportunity...

Kindred Healthcare, Inc., a healthcare services company whose mission is to promote healing, provide hope and preserve dignity and produce value for every person they serve, is one of our generous corporate sponsors. Kindred Healthcare works with us to raise awareness about Alzheimer's and has created a very special matching gift challenge to help us in our fight against Alzheimer's disease.

The Greater Illinois Chapter now uses a variety of different technologies and systems to assist staff with their outreach and fundraising efforts. Visitors to our Website also benefit from the implementation of tools such as Web-enabled databases, online training, and video conferencing. These tools represent just a few of the ways new and innovative technology and information systems are being used to better serve the 68 county service area.

A new tool on the Greater Illinois Chapter’s website will help individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and their families find local support groups. With this tool, those who want to attend a support group can easily find one with a search by city, county or zip code.

BLOOMINGTON:
On Thursday, May 14, 2009 the Greater Illinois Chapter will host Hope & Help: A Community Response from 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the Interstate Center, 2301 West Market Street in Bloomington.

CHICAGO:
On two consecutive Saturdays in June the Greater Illinois Chapter will host The Alzheimer’s Association Family Forums. The first forum will take place on Saturday, June 6 at North Central College Wentz Concert Hall in Naperville. The second forum will take place on Saturday, June 13 at Harper College Wojcik Conference Center in Palatine.

May is a very exciting time around the Greater Illinois Chapter because it marks the beginning of Memory Walk season! Memory Walk is the signature event of the Alzheimer’s Association which began in 1989. During that first year only nine Chapters participated, the event has since grown to more than 600 walks nationwide. In 2009 the Greater Illinois Chapter will host Memory Walks in 13 different communities throughout the 68-county service area. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the Greater Illinois Chapter’s Chicago Memory Walk.

In April of 2009 the Alzheimer’s Association released an updated listing of the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease. This informative new report gives great insight into how people can tell if they are experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or are experiencing normal age related changes. Nonetheless, the only way a person can truly tell if they are experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is by visiting your family physician.

Making Memories Together® is an award-winning, non-competitive board game for people with major memory disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.

The game does not help symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, but it does enhance the quality of life for the affected individual by making visits with family and friends more comfortable and enjoyable.

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