Build a Support System with People Who Understand

The Telephone Support Group

The Alzheimer’s Association® telephone support group provides emotional, educational, and social support for caregivers through regularly scheduled meetings. Held via telephone to accommodate individuals who are unable to travel to a meeting site, this group helps participants develop coping methods and encourages them to maintain their personal, physical and emotional health.

The Telephone Support Group meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

To learn more about the Telephone Support Group: lpennington@alz.org or 207.772.0115 

Family and Caregiver Support Groups

We also offer family and caregiver support groups in person in many locations in Maine. These support groups are facilitated by more than 40 volunteers across the state. The group leaders have participated in the Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter's Support Group Facilitator Training Program. People come to support groups looking for others who "really understand their situation because they've been there too."

Click Here for Family and Caregiver Support Groups in Maine>> 

Click Here for The Caregiver Center >>

Living with Alzheimer’s is overwhelming at times, call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900

The Longest Day is All About Love

Do what you love to End Alzheimer's on June 21st

The Longest Day teams are ramping up here at the Maine Chapter. One team will embark on an all-day audio recording session, another team will host a neighborhood yard sale, and a third team will spend the day baking pies. What will you do?

The sky is the limit. You can host an event such as a barbeque, bake sale, cooking competition, wine-tasting, clambake, or a chili cook off.  Participate in a film festival, house concert, art exhibit, theatrical production, photography excursion. Enjoy the outdoors and go fishing, cycling, boating, hiking, or take a tour of lighthouses. You could organize games of softball, baseball, basketball, or volleyball. Play miniature golf, badminton, Frisbee golf, croquet, cornhole or have a billiard tournament. Are you excited yet?  Let us know your idea and we’ll help you find a team or register you as an individual. 

For more information on The Longest Day: lfrazell@alz.org or 207.249.8962

Save the Walk Date - Let's Finish What We Started 

The 2017 Walk to End Alzheimer’s dates are posted. There are seven locations in Maine from York Beach to Fort Kent and the website is now open for you to register your team!  Thank you to those who participated last year in the fight against Alzheimer's disease - you are leading the way to a world without Alzheimer's!  Please join us this year for the world's largest event to fight the disease. It only takes a few minutes to register.

For more information on the 2017 Walk to End Alzheimer's: eelliott@alz.org or 207.772.0115

Re-activate a team, join a team, or register as an individual today>>

Click Here for the Walk to End Alzheimer's FAQ & Information>>

Winter Social Programs: Fitness and Photography 

New Dementia Fitness Programs Offered in Bangor & Sanford

The Maine Chapter is proud to offer two new, free dementia fitness programs beginning in March. The new Memory in Motion Program starts in mid-March on Thursday mornings in Bangor. This program is offered in partnership with the University of Maine at Augusta in Bangor and the Eastern Area Agency on Aging. The Sanford Dementia Fitness Program begins in late March on Wednesday afternoons at the Sanford Springvale YMCA's Trafton Senior Center.

Mind’s Eye Maine Photography Program

Sign-up for the Mind's Eye Maine Photography Program. Through this fun and creative program, persons living with dementia and their care partners strengthen their camera skills by working with professional and student photographers. The group will visit indoor and outdoor locations throughout the Portland area enjoying taking photographs of beloved landmarks and nature destinations.

Early stage social programs are specifically designed for those diagnosed with dementia and focus on building strength, balance, and mobility in a friendly, supportive environment. Screening may be required to determine if the program is appropriate for potential participants. Registration is limited to eight couples for each program and early registration is highly recommended.

It Takes Both Advocacy and Science to End Alzheimer's

Conquering Alzheimer’s is as much a matter of public policy as scientific discovery. We need the help of advocates to lean on state policymakers to act.  Whether you prefer sending emails to legislators, posting updates to social media, or hosting events or even meeting in-person with your elected officials, there are many ways you can make a difference as an Alzheimer's Association advocate.  There are 68,000 people providing nearly one billion dollars in unpaid care for people living with Alzheimer’s in Maine this year. We cannot end Alzheimer’s without your help.

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Report, released in January 2017, outlines the most current and compelling data of the Alzheimer’s public health crisis right here in Maine:

• More than half (54.1%) of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers in Maine have been providing care for at least two years, and nearly a third have been providing care for five or more years
• Nearly 60% of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers help manage personal care – intimate tasks such as feeding, dressing, giving medications, or bathing
• Nearly one-fourth of dementia caregivers provide 20 or more hours of care per week
• One out of every five Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers are "sandwich generation" caregivers - care for both someone with dementia and a child or grandchild
• More than half of Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers provide care for a parent or parent-in-law

What can you do? Sign up to become an Advocate. Learn about State Priorities. Support legislation that fights Alzheimer’s. Participate in advocacy events. Share the BRFSS information. 

Take Action! Click Here to Become an Advocate>>

Click Here to Download the BRFSS  Maine Dementia Caregiving Module Fact Sheet>> 

Join Us in Washington | March 27 - 29, 2017 

Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Forum 2017

The Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Forum is the nation's premier Alzheimer's disease advocacy event. Join more than 1,000 advocates in Washington, D.C. to advocate for research, and care and support services. Because of your support, we’ve had two consecutive years of historic funding increases at the National Institutes of Health for Alzheimer’s disease research funding. It's where you need to be to continue playing a crucial role in the fight against the disease.

Click Here to See the Advocacy Forum Program>>

Click Here for Advocacy Forum 2017 Registration Details>>

Maine Chapter Resource Links

About the Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. The Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter serves the entire State of Maine from its Scarborough office. There are more than 26,000 families in Maine who are affected by Alzheimer's disease. Our mission is 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. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. alz.org/maine

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