The holidays are a time for memories.
But Villager Vicki Boaz knows how painful it can be to see those memories slip away.
Her mother Hilda Eizenga suffered from dementia and died in an assisted living facility at age 85.
Vicki’s sister Tina was in her mid-50s when she was stricken with Alzheimer’s Disease. She had an early demise with major loss of mental prowess over a five-year period. An autopsy confirmed Alzheimer’s was the cause.
Vicki and John Boaz were enthusiastic supporters of last year’s Alzheimer’s Family Support Walk at the Villages Polo Fields.
They are hoping more people will join them in the 2014 version of the event which is set for April 5. State Rep. Marlene O’Toole is the honorary chair of the event. Sumter County Sheriff Bill Farmer is serving as this year’s Walk chairman.
The Alzheimer’s Family Organization needs hundreds of volunteers, not only on April 5 but leading up to the event. Whether you volunteer to help package T-shirts or to serve refreshments, you will be helping your neighbors and friends who are dealing with this debilitating disease.
A key meeting for volunteers will be held at 9 a.m. Jan. 8 at Savannah Center.
According to state records, there are now 20,000 individuals with Alzheimer’s disease in our Tri-County area of Lake, Sumter and South Marion counties. The average duration of the disease is eight years and 80 percent of all care given is provided at home by family members – taking a huge toll on the health and well-being of the caregivers themselves.
The Alzheimer’s Family Organization was founded to reach out directly to those caregivers, and provide them and their loved ones with educational programs, a variety of support services and personal assistance.
The Alzheimer’s Family Organization serves the Tri-County area and, unlike many national organizations, the funds you help raise stay in the local communities AFO serves.
AFO funds and supports educational programs, respite programs, caregiver days and 27 local support groups in the Tri-County area for Caregivers and families of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia.
