Memory Walks Raise Money to Support Alzheimer's Association
 he East Tennessee Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association is staging a number of "Memory Walks" around the region to raise awareness and funding for services. Covenant Health and some of its affiliates are sponsors of the various events.
 The seventh annual Sevier County Memory Walk is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 3 at Patriot Park in Pigeon Forge and the 10th annual Knox County Memory Walk will be Sunday Oct. 10 at Volunteer Landing on Neyland Drive. The Sevier County walk is sponsored in part by Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center. Covenant Health is a sponsor of the Knox county event.
Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge was a sponsor of the Five County Regional Walk held yesterday in Anderson County. Walkers from Anderson, Roane, Morgan, Scott, and Campbell Counties participated in the event.
Honorary chair for the Memory Walks is entertainer James Rogers. The race sites have a carnival atmosphere with games, children's activities, food, and prizes.
The Memory Walks are the single largest events to raise funding for services to benefit families touched by Alzheimer's. In 1998 the Memory Walks raised more than $244,000 for its programs.
The Alzheimer's Association of East Tennessee provides support and services for people whose lives are affected by Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. The association helps provide money for research efforts in prevention, treatment, and finding a cure.
The East Tennessee Association also provides support groups, monetary support for caregivers, advice on treatment protocols, workshops for caregivers and providers, and advocacy for policy formation.
In Knox County alone there are approximately 5,000 people with various stages of Alzheimer's. But for every person with the disease, another 10 are affected by it.
Covenant Health provides many services for Alzheimer's patients through its various facilities. They include the newly expanded geropsychiatric unit at Parkwest Medical Center; the Fort Sanders West Senior Center, which provides outpatient and outreach services; and Peninsula Behavioral Health, which has both inpatient and outpatient services.
For more information about the Memory Walks call the Alzheimer's Association at 544-6464.
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