This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Neighbor News

Alzheimer's Forum Slated for Feb. 10

Alzheimer's Association hosts event to discuss community needs.

Pierce County residents are invited to take part in a Virtual Community Forum on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia being held Wednesday, Feb. 10 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. Registration is required. Visit alzwa.org/community or call 1.800.272.3900 to sign-up.

The event, which is being hosted by the local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, provides an opportunity for the community to come together, ask questions, share their personal experiences and learn about available resources. Attendees will also hear about volunteer opportunities and ways they can support families facing Alzheimer’s or dementia.

"When you or someone you love is experiencing memory loss, it can be challenging to figure out next steps or where to turn for help," says Carrie McBride, a spokesperson for the Alzheimer’s Association. “We rely on local volunteers to provide services in the community, so it’s important for us to gather together and talk about how we can strengthen those resources for families facing a difficult and devastating disease.”

Find out what's happening in Gig Harborfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are currently 120,000 people living with Alzheimer’s disease in Washington State. Another 348,000 Washingtonians are serving as unpaid family caregivers to a loved one with dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the third leading cause of death in the state, ranking Washington sixth in the country in terms of mortality rate.

For more information about the services offered locally by the Alzheimer’s Association, please visit the Washington State Chapter’s website at www.alzwa.org or call 1.800.272.3900.

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Gig Harbor