Memories Matter – Riverchase celebrates Alzheimer’s Awareness month

In honor of Alzheimer’s Month, Riverchase Health and Rehabilitation painted the pavement purple with the inaugural Walk Away Alzheimer Walk on Friday November 18.

The purpose of the event, hosted by Riverchase and Gadsden County Commissioner Ronterious Green, was to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s research.

It started with a half-mile walk for residents, staff and community partners such as members of the Gadsden Board of County Commissioners.

After the outdoor walk, Riverchase staff threw a ‘purple party’ in the facility’s dining hall. Food was catered by Mission BBQ, and oldies-tunes played during the lunch.

Residents who couldn’t walk were assisted by staff members or volunteers..

“Being a caregiver in the past to two of my grandparents who suffered from this disease, I’m a witness that love is a memory that one never loses,” Commissioner Green said. “Today marks my grandma’s second year’s death anniversary, so I dedicate this day to her although she only had memory lost towards the end.”

Riverchase’s administrator Lauren Lukes-Howard said the theme for this year’s event was “Memories Matter.”

After the walk, Riverchase staff threw a purple party in the dining hall.

Partygoers were served lunch catered by Mission BBQ as they listened to throwback songs like Kool & The Gang’s “Get Down on It” from 1981.

“They always remember music and tunes,” said Riverchase’s activities director Donmonique Wright. “Music is vital for [Alzheimer patients]; we have music therapy here once a week.”

Wright not only has experience dealing with dementia at work, but also in her personal life.

Riverchase Health and Rehabilitation Center ‘painted the pavement purple’ during the inaugural Walk Away Alzheimer Walk last weekend. This event was inspired by another walk held in Tallahassee, and hosted by Riverchase staff and Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners.

Her grandmother was diagnosed with dementia three years ago and is now suffering from total memory loss.

“I think the disease is horrible because they can’t do anything about it,” Wright said.

Wright said in the past she has attended annual Alzheimer’s awareness events at Cascades Park in Tallahassee, but this year she and others at the facility wanted to have one at Riverchase.

“We at Riverchase support those with Alzheimer’s and Dementia,” Wright said.

The activities director said to shine a light on the disease the facility has had several activities focused on Alzheimer’s including crafts like making purple ribbons.

During the party the participants were given purple Alzheimer’s awareness bracelet bands that said “hope” and “strength.”

They were also given an opportunity to share some of the memorable moments they have had, as a way for the staff to show them their memories do matter.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior.

More than 6 million are living with the disease.

For more information visit alz.org

Erin Hill - erin@gadsdencountytimes.com

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Memories Matter – Riverchase celebrates Alzheimer’s Awareness month

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Quincy church opens ‘Essentials Cabinet’ to provide hygiene items to local community

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