Kim Block is 2013 Maine Alzheimer's Champion 

Block will receive award at the 2013 Alzheimer's Champions Breakfast 

The Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter will honor Kim Block as the 2013 Maine Alzheimer's Champion at the 2013 Alzheimer's Champions Breakfast on Friday, May 31, 2013 at the Holiday Inn By the Bay in Portland. Kim Block has been at the WGME CBS 13 6pm news anchor desk for 32 years. As an Alzheimer's Champion Kim has been instrumental in helping to increase awareness by doing several feature stories on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in Maine. This reporting brings Alzheimer’s fully into the open, corrects misconceptions and works to overcome the stigma that too often makes a terrible disease even more of a hardship. In addition, Kim has served as the emcee of the Alzheimer’s Champions Breakfast and as the Honorary Chair of Memory Walk and Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Greater Portland since 2001. By lending her voice to this cause, Kim has been, and will continue to be, invaluable to our efforts to increase awareness. For more information about this exciting event visit alz.org/maine or call 207.772.0115. 

Over 200 Attend 2013 Statewide Educational Conference in Portland 

Over 200 professionals, family members and people living with dementia attended the Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter's Statewide Educational Conference on May 2nd in Portland. Thank you to our sponsors, presenters and attendees! Highlights from the day included the keynote presented by Dr. Paul Raia, Vice President of Clinical Services at the Alzheimer's Association, MA/NH Chapter, the update on amyloid based immunotherapy from Scarborough neurologist Dr. Eric Dinnerstein, MD, and a live performance from Saco River Jazz Ensemble. Like our Facebook page and check out photos from the day! 

Maine Chapter Offers Support Group Facilitator Training 

Have you ever considered helping others and becoming a support group facilitator? On May 30, 2013, the Maine Chapter is offering a free Support Group Facilitator Training Program for those interested in starting caregiver support groups in Maine. The Alzheimer's Association's Family and Caregiver Support Groups are designed to provide emotional, educational and social support for caregivers through regularly scheduled meetings. They help participants develop coping methods and encourage caregivers to maintain their personal, physical and emotional health, as well as optimally care for the person with dementia. The Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter support groups are independently run by as many as 40 volunteer facilitators across the state. We are offering this training to increase the number of support groups available across the state, especially in more rural areas. Email bkirkpatrick@alz.org for more information about support groups and facilitator trainings and click here for a list of current support groups in Maine. 

Maine Chapter Introduces New Manager, Helpline Services

The Maine Chapter is excited to announce our new Manager, Helpline Services, Misty Marston. Misty received a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Maine at Orono. She brings with her over ten years of experience devoted to social work and has a specialization in geriatric social work from the New York Hartford Partnership program for Aging Education. She is also a Certified Chronic Care Professional. As Manager, Helpline Services she will focus on providing in person, email and telephone care consultation services to Maine individuals and families. The Maine chapter offers care consultation services free of charge and is dedicated to helping people navigate the difficult decisions and uncertainties that people living with Alzheimer’s, caregivers and families face at every stage of the disease. For more information email mmarston@alz.org. 

Maine Alzheimer's Advocates Attend Advocacy Forum in Washington, D.C. 

Hundreds of dedicated Alzheimer's advocates, including five from Maine, traveled to Washington, D.C., for the 25th annual Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Forum. During meetings on the hill, the group directly appealed to the Maine delegation for meaningful action on Alzheimer's disease issues including funding for the National Alzheimer's Plan and the passage of the HOPE for Alzheimer's Act. The group also attended the Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing on the National Alzheimer's Plan where Ranking Member Senator Susan Collins shared her personal experience with Alzheimer's and her concerns about the disease's estimated trajectory. "As someone whose family has experienced the pain of Alzheimer's time and time again, I know there is no more helpless feeling then to watch the progression of this devastating disease," Collins said. "If we fail to change the current trajectory of Alzheimer's disease, our country will face not only a mounting national health care crisis, but an economic one as well."  Click here to add your voice and become an Alzheimer's advocate today! 

May 13 Conversation Series "Ask the Doctor" 

Join us for The Longest Day®

On Friday, June 21, the Alzheimer’s Association invites you to honor the strength, endurance and passion of those facing Alzheimer’s disease by participating in The Longest Day. From sunrise to sunset, gather your friends and do something you love to make a difference. From swimming to swing dancing, the funds you raise will help to advance Alzheimer’s research, care and support. Register at alz.org/thelongestday or call 800.272.3900, option 3.

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 37,000 families in Maine who are affected by Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. 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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