

Scotty talked with Cassie from the Nebraska Alzheimer's Association about this year's Walk to End Alzheimer's. Listen for details.
AUDIO TRANSCRIPT
Scott Carlson 0:00
We are joined this morning by Cassie from the Nebraska Alzheimer's Association. Cassie, thank you for joining us today. First of all,
Cassie-NE Alzheimer's Assn. 0:07
thank you so much for having us.
Scott Carlson 0:09
So it's a big-time, it seems like October is a long way away. But it'll be here before we know it. Of course, one of your big events every year is the walk to end Alzheimer's. We now know the dates of those walks across Nebraska and registration is open. So we thought we'd have you on to give us the details on how we get involved with this great event, Cassie?
Cassie-NE Alzheimer's Assn. 0:30
Yeah, like I said, thanks so much for having us, we are gearing up and getting super excited. It is only March. But October is gonna be here before we know it. So we are making a couple of changes. We're very excited about that. We are going to have our North Platte walk on a Saturday morning. We've traditionally done Sunday, kind of after church. But we said you know what? Let's adjust that. Let's do Saturday morning, we can have this amazing event and this connection with each other in our community. And then we have the rest of the weekend. So we're excited. We're hoping that it'll fit better into people's schedules. And we'll see what happens.
Scott Carlson 1:15
We're talking with Cassie from the Nebraska Alzheimer's Association and talk about events like this and why they're so important to your organization. Cassie?
Cassie-NE Alzheimer's Assn. 1:25
Yeah, absolutely. Our walk to end Alzheimer's is our largest fundraising signature event. And what that means is it provides the funding for all of the amazing things that the Alzheimer's Association does throughout the state, our support groups, our helpline that is available 24/7 Our website, the education that we provide for families, and for professional settings that might need a little bit of help and how they interact with our clients who are living with Alzheimer's or other dementia. But it goes so much farther than that. You know, we have people who advocate for policy that is going to benefit those who are living with the disease, and their caregivers for increased funding and research, which we know is critical. And then of course, that research component, which is so huge, and is ultimately going to help us find them celebrate that first survivor. And so the funding that goes into the association helps us provide all of these amazing services and this change for our family.
Scott Carlson 2:39
Cassie from the Nebraska Alzheimer's Association. And of course we know Alzheimer's a horrible disease for the patient, but not only for the patient who's suffering from it, but also it's one of those diseases that kind of everyone I don't want to say suffers from but impacts everyone who's around that person. And you mentioned the caregivers. I think it's important for caregivers to know there's a support system out there for them. Talk about some of the resources you guys have available for caregivers who might just need some advice.
Cassie-NE Alzheimer's Assn. 3:10
Yes, absolutely. Our helpline is available 24/7. It's staffed by licensed clinicians, Masters level social workers, people who are ready to answer very simple questions. If you're a neighbor, and you say, Hey, how can I support the people who live next door, I know that they're going through a hard time. Or if it's something that's more complex, and you're a family, you need to get together and you need to make a care plan for mom or dad or whoever that loved one might be. And so that number is 800 272 3900. Again, they are available 24/7. It's our staff at the Alzheimer's Association. I know 800 numbers can make people a little bit nervous. But they are just phenomenal. I can't say enough about the amazing work that they do. If you say I'm not ready to talk to somebody, I just need to you know, dip my toes in our website is a lv, that org slash Nebraska. And there you can find all of the information for a support group that's near you if you're to that point. We are doing our education virtually. So if you know there is something that you're interested a certain topic. There are live sessions there are sessions that are what we consider on demand. So you can click on those as is convenient for you. But truthfully, we just we want people to know that you are not alone in this journey. There are resources available for you. There are people that you can talk to and we we really encourage you to take that first step and taking care of yourself if you are a caregiver.
Scott Carlson 4:55
Yes, so important for caregivers not to forget to take care of themselves. that point you made right at the end there because it is it is very taxing on the caregivers and obviously sad to watch your family member suffer from a disease like Alzheimer's. So let's get involved in this walk to end Alzheimer's and help eradicate this disease. As Cassie said, what a celebration it will be when we have our first survivor that we can celebrate. So Cassie, if we want to put a team together and get registered for the walk, what's the best way to do that?
Cassie-NE Alzheimer's Assn. 5:26
The easiest way is to go to the website alc.org/walk You can go right to the North Platte walk you'll see that we've already raised about $4,000 which is amazing. It's only March. So we're very excited for that. But it is free to get registered. And so you can get your coworkers involved your family I always say no team is too small mine is usually mine and my kiddos so you know small but mighty. But we really encourage people to create those teams and to get their their friends and co workers and family involved because we don't want anybody to think that they're walking this journey alone.
Scott Carlson 6:07
Yeah, for sure. So important and as you mentioned already money coming in for the walk and proud to say the North Platte Eagles club is the top team right now and in raising money so something to be proud of there for sure. They are phenomenal. A ct.alc.org You can find lots of information there for caregivers for patients and of course getting get registered for the walk to end Alzheimer's that's coming up here in October. gassy. We'll be talking with you again as we get closer to the walk. But thanks so much for taking some time this morning to let us know that we can get registered. We appreciate it. Yes. Thank you so much.