Sixteen new volunteers were trained in 2019, and 11 more began training this spring so that they are ready to provide support for area families affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic currently prevents in-person meetings, support groups and training have continued online.

Grant funds given to the Alzheimer’s Association, as well as other funds raised during the 2019 Memory Gala, are helping to improve resources, education and support available to families in a 22-county area.

Four new support groups were started in communities that had previously not been served. Twenty education classes were taught, with a total of more than 680 people in attendance. More than 15 caregiver scholarships were awarded to individuals in the area who attended the Kansas Education Conference on Dementia in Mulvane. A total of 37 people from the area went to the conference.

More than 50 physicians have been reached with educational and resource materials.