Maybe this helps explain the disconnect between the goals of the Alzheimer's Association, the chapters that are declaring their independence, and the Alzheimer's caregiver community.
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
According to the Alzheimer's Association Facts and Figures for 2011 there are almost 15 million Alzheimer's caregivers. Add in the five million plus people living with Alzheimer's and that makes 20 million of us.
The number of people that have been touched by Alzheimer's -- touched means you are related to or know someone with Alzheimer's -- is now over 200 million.
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I'm sitting here thinking that several chapters of the Alzheimer's Association have declared their independence and decided they can better serve their constituency by going it alone.
I'm not surprised. In fact, I think this is just the beginning. Forty percent of contributions is a steep price to pay to the national organization. This would be especially true if you had a different vision of what is needed in the community where you live.
This pie chart might get your attention. This is how the Alzheimer's Association spent its funds for fiscal year 2010.
For the fiscal year ended June, 2010,
- 30% of funds went into general management, administration, and fundraising.
- 70% of funds went into Alzheimer care, support, research, awareness and advocacy.
You can't glean much from that unless you compare it to previous years.
Well once you start gleaning you will immediately notice that the amount going into the ground -- Alzheimer care, support, research, awareness and advocacy -- is dropping each year.
- In 2007 it was 82 percent,
- In 2008 it was 77 percent,
- In 2009 it was 72 percent,
- And, in 2010 70 percent.
Here is the stated vision and mission of the Alzheimer's Association.
Our vision -- A world without Alzheimer’s disease.
Our mission -- To eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
Maybe this helps explain the disconnect between the goals of the Alzheimer's Association, the chapters that are declaring their independence, and the Alzheimer's caregiver community.
I have not yet seen the report for fiscal year ended June 30, 2011.
More Insight and Advice for Caregivers
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- How the Loss of Memory Works in Alzheimer’s Disease, and How Understanding This Could Help You
- Learning How to Communicate with Someone Suffering From Alzheimer's Disease
- What is Alzheimer's Disease?
- What is Dementia?
- Alzheimer's World -- Trying to Reconnect with Someone Suffering from Alzheimer's Disease
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Bob DeMarco is the Founder of the Alzheimer's Reading Room and an Alzheimer's caregiver. The blog contains more than 2,800 articles with more than 602,100 links on the Internet. Bob lives in Delray Beach, FL.
Original content Bob DeMarco, the Alzheimer's Reading Room